Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
King Arthur Slays the Giant of St. Michael’s Mount explained
While encamped in Brittany, King Arthur learns from a countryman that a giant on St.
What happens
While encamped in Brittany, King Arthur learns from a countryman that a giant on St. Michael's Mount has been abducting and devouring children, and has recently taken the Duchess of Brittany. Arthur, accompanied by Sir Bedver and Sir Kay, rides to the mount. He ascends alone, confronts the giant, and after a fierce struggle—during which the giant crushes Arthur's ribs and they roll down the hill—Arthur stabs the giant with his dagger. His knights then behead the giant, and Arthur orders the head displayed and the spoils distributed. He also commands a church be built on the site in honor of St. Michael.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and the Quest
Arthur embarks on a solitary quest to defeat a monstrous giant, embodying the heroic ideal of protecting the innocent.
Hospitality and Its Violation
The giant's abduction and murder of the Duchess and children represents a gross violation of the sacred duty of hospitality.
Characters to notice
- King Arthur
The noble conqueror who personally confronts and slays the giant, showing compassion for the victims and ordering a church to be built.
- Sir Kay
One of the two knights accompanying Arthur; he beheads the giant on Arthur's command.
Key passages
“And now he hath taken the Duchess of Brittany, as she rode with her attendants, and hath carried her away in spite of all they could do.”
The giant has recently kidnapped the Duchess of Brittany while she was riding with her attendants, and no one could stop him.
The countryman reports the giant's latest crime to King Arthur.
“Then the giant started up, and took a great club, and smote at the king, and smote off his coronal; and then the king struck him in the belly with his sword, and made a fearful wound.”
The giant rose, grabbed a large club, and struck the king, knocking off his crown; Arthur retaliated by stabbing the giant in the belly, causing a terrible injury.
The initial exchange of blows in the battle between Arthur and the giant.
“And Arthur weltered and wrenched, so that he was one while under, and another time above. And so weltering and wallowing they rolled down the hill, and ever as they weltered Arthur smote him with his dagger.”
Arthur struggled and twisted, sometimes pinned beneath the giant and sometimes on top, as they tumbled down the hill; throughout the fall, Arthur kept stabbing the giant with his dagger.
The desperate, rolling combat as Arthur fights for his life.