The motif is that of a woman who appears unattractive (ugly, loathly) but undergoes a transformation upon being approached by a man in spite of her unattractiveness, becoming extremely desirable. It is then revealed that her ugliness was the result of a curse which was broken by the hero's action.
In her capacity as a quest-bringer, the loathly lady can be found in the literature of the Holy Grail, including Chrétien de Troyes' Perceval, the Story of the Grail, Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival, and the Welsh Romance Peredur son of Efrawg associated with the Mabinogion.
"She cried out in joy, 'My lord, you are as wise as you are noble and true, for you have given me what every woman genuinely desires, sovereignty over herself. You will never see that hideous old hag again, for I choose to be fair from this time on.'" --- Selina Hastings, "Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady"
The Mysterious Lady Dame Ragnelle
- Role: The Transformed Crone
- In the tale of Sir Gawain, Dame Ragnelle appears as a hideous crone cursed to her form until Gawain’s noble act frees her.
- Symbolism: She represents the archetype of transformation, hidden beauty, and the rewards of selflessness and respect.
