# Kilwich and Olwen explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

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

## What happens

Kilwich, son of Kilydd, falls in love with Olwen, daughter of the giant Yspadaden Penkawr, after his stepmother prophesies that he can only marry her. With the help of his cousin King Arthur and his knights, Kilwich confronts the giant, who sets a series of impossible tasks as the price for Olwen's hand. Kilwich accepts the challenge, vowing to overcome each obstacle with Arthur's aid.

## Themes in this chapter

### Heroism and the Quest

Kilwich embarks on a heroic quest to win Olwen, facing a series of impossible tasks set by her father, with the support of Arthur and his knights.

### Love and Transformation

Kilwich's love for Olwen, whom he has never seen, drives the entire narrative and transforms his destiny, leading him to seek Arthur's aid.

## Character check-ins

### King Arthur

Cousin and lord to Kilwich; provides aid and chivalry to help him win Olwen.

### Kilwich

Protagonist; son of Kilydd, seeks to marry Olwen and undertakes the giant's impossible tasks.

### Olwen

Daughter of Yspadaden Penkawr; beloved of Kilwich, known for her beauty and the white trefoils that spring up where she walks.

### Yspadaden Penkawr

Giant father of Olwen; sets impossible tasks for Kilwich and is wounded by poisoned darts.

### Bedwyr

Arthur's knight; catches and returns one of the poisoned darts, wounding Yspadaden Penkawr.

### Meneu

Son of Gawedd; catches and returns the second poisoned dart, wounding the giant.

## Key lines

> When first I met the mother of this maiden, nine bushels of flax were sown therein, and none has yet sprung up, white nor black. I require to have the flax to sow in the new land yonder, that when it grows up it may make a white wimple for my daughter's head on the day of thy wedding.

The giant demands that Kilwich provide flax from a field where none has grown for years, to make a bridal headdress for Olwen.

_First of the impossible tasks set by Yspadaden Penkawr._

> I require thee to get me for my huntsman Mabon, the son of Modron. He was taken from his mother when three nights old, and it is not known where he now is, nor whether he is living or dead.

The giant demands that Kilwich find the lost hunter Mabon, son of Modron, who was kidnapped as an infant.

_Another impossible task, highlighting the theme of quest and retrieval._

> More yellow was her head than the flower of the broom, and her skin was whiter than the foam of the wave, and fairer were her hands and her fingers than the blossoms of the wood-anemone amidst the spray of the meadow fountain.

Olwen's hair was brighter than broom flowers, her skin whiter than sea foam, and her hands more delicate than anemone blossoms.

_Description of Olwen's beauty, emphasizing her ethereal nature._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xi-kilwich-and-olwen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters