Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Sir Tristram explained
Tristram, in Brittany, aids King Hoel in war, marries Isoude of the White Hands, and later is mortally wounded.
What happens
Tristram, in Brittany, aids King Hoel in war, marries Isoude of the White Hands, and later is mortally wounded. He sends for Queen Isoude of Cornwall, but his wife deceives him about the color of the sails, leading to his death. Queen Isoude arrives and dies of grief. They are buried together, and a vine grows from their tombs.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Transformation
Tristram's love for Isoude of the White Hands grows, but his undying love for Queen Isoude leads to tragedy and a miraculous vine.
Fate and Free Will
Tristram's fate is sealed by the deception about the sails, despite his efforts to summon Queen Isoude.
Mortality and Immortality
The lovers' deaths are followed by the immortal vine that unites their tombs, symbolizing eternal love.
Characters to notice
- Tristram
Protagonist; marries Isoude of the White Hands, is mortally wounded, and dies after being deceived about the sails.
- Isoude
Queen of Cornwall; Tristram's beloved, who dies of grief upon finding him dead.
- King Mark
King of Cornwall; Tristram's uncle, who orders the lovers' burial and receives Tristram's sword and letter.
- Sir Launcelot
Mentioned indirectly through the quest of the Holy Greal; Tristram's oath references the quest.
Key passages
“Tristram, penetrated with inexpressible grief, breathed a profound sigh, turned away his face, and said, 'Alas, my beloved! we shall never see one another again!' Then he commended himself to God, and breathed his last.”
Overcome with sorrow, Tristram sighed deeply, turned away, and said they would never meet again, then died after commending himself to God.
Tristram's death scene, caused by the false report of black sails.
“From the tomb of Tristram there sprung a vine, which went along the walls, and descended into the grave of the queen. It was cut down three times, but each time sprung up again more vigorous than before, and this wonderful plant has ever since shaded the tombs of Tristram and Isoude.”
A vine grew from Tristram's tomb, spread to the queen's grave, and despite being cut down three times, it regrew stronger, forever shading their tombs.
The miraculous vine symbolizes the enduring love between Tristram and Isoude.