# Geraint, the Son of Erbin explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

> Chapter companion for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

## What happens

Prince Geraint, having missed the hunt with King Arthur, accompanies Queen Guenever to the forest's edge. There they witness a knight, a lady, and a churlish dwarf pass by. When Guenever's maiden is struck by the dwarf for inquiring about the knight, Geraint vows to follow and challenge the knight. He follows them to a town where he finds shelter with a poor hoary-headed man, his wife, and their beautiful daughter, Enid. The old man explains that the knight is competing in a tournament for the Sparrow-hawk, which he has won twice before. Geraint borrows the old man's rusty armor and, with Enid as his lady, challenges and defeats the Knight of the Sparrow-hawk, winning the prize and pledging his love to Enid.

## Themes in this chapter

### Heroism and the Quest

Geraint embarks on a quest to avenge an insult, demonstrating chivalric heroism by following the knight and ultimately winning the tournament.

### Hospitality and Its Violation

The dwarf's rude treatment of Guenever's maiden violates the code of hospitality, while the hoary-headed man offers Geraint generous shelter despite his poverty.

### Love and Transformation

Geraint's encounter with Enid leads him to pledge his love and transform from a passive observer into an active champion, winning both the sparrow-hawk and her heart.

## Character check-ins

### Geraint

Prince Geraint, son of Erbin, follows the mysterious knight to avenge the insult to Guenever's maiden, borrows arms from a poor nobleman, and wins the Sparrow-hawk tournament for Enid.

### Queen Guenever

Queen Guenever awakens late, rides out to hear the hunt, and witnesses the dwarf's rudeness; she gives Geraint permission to follow the knight.

### Enid

The beautiful daughter of the impoverished hoary-headed man; she serves Geraint and becomes the lady for whom he jousts and wins the Sparrow-hawk.

### King Arthur

King Arthur goes hunting early in the morning, leaving Guenever asleep; he is mentioned as Geraint's lord.

## Key lines

> Lady," said he, "I will follow him, with thy permission, and at last he will come to some inhabited place, where I may have arms, either as a loan or for a pledge, so that I may encounter the knight.

Geraint tells Guenever that he will trail the knight until he reaches a town where he can obtain weapons to challenge him.

_Geraint's determination to seek arms and confront the knight is a key plot point._

> And high above a piece of turret-stair, Worn by the feet that now were silent, wound Bare to the sun.

A broken staircase in the ruined palace stood exposed to the sunlight, worn down by footsteps that had long since ceased.

_This poetic description sets the scene of the dilapidated palace where Geraint finds shelter._

> For Prince Geraint, Late also, wearing neither hunting-dress Nor weapon, save a golden-hilted brand, Came quickly flashing through the shallow ford.

Prince Geraint, arriving late and unarmed except for his golden-hilted sword, rode swiftly across the shallow river crossing.

_This verse introduces Geraint's appearance as he catches up to Guenever._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/v-geraint-the-son-of-erbin
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