The symbolism of betrayal
Queen Isolde symbolizes treachery when she secretly falls in love with Tristan instead of Marke. Initially, Isolde promised to marry Marke, but she falls in love with Tristan after drinking a love potion. Later, Marke realizes that his lover has betrayed him, and Tristan runs away.
The love potion
The love potion mention in the text represents fate. Tristan and Isolde are destined to be lovers regardless of societal expectations and rules. Fortunately, Tristan knows that the societal norms prohibit his love for Isolde and their union; hence, he makes initial plans to elude when it is publicly known.
The symbolism of romance without boundaries
The author uses the secret courtship between Tristan and Isolde to figuratively emblem love beyond boundaries. The sexual relationship between Tristan and Isolde is not allowed by society, but that doe not prevent them from falling in love. Since the two are destined to be lovers, societal norms and other restrictions do not stop them from pursuing their love.
Lovechild as a symbol of an outcast
Tristan is a lovechild because he was born out of wedlock. However, since an outcast child is not accepted in society, Tristan is assumed to be the son of Rual to ensure that he legitimately has a father to earn respect. The author uses Tristan as an outcast child to show the challenges children born out of wedlock go through in society.
The symbolism of marriage
Marriage is symbolized by the societal norms that dictate which person would marry the queen. Isolde senior knew that society would impose a lover on her daughter, and she decided to design a love portion to force Isolde and Tristan to love each other. Consequently, the reader learns that marriage is an institution that must meet the expectations of society.
