Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Perceval explained
Perceval, raised in isolation by his mother after the loss of his father and brothers, encounters knights in the forest and becomes determined to pursue knighthood.
What happens
Perceval, raised in isolation by his mother after the loss of his father and brothers, encounters knights in the forest and becomes determined to pursue knighthood. Despite his mother's warnings, he rides to King Arthur's court on a bony horse with makeshift trappings. There, he witnesses an insult to Queen Guenever and, after being mocked by Sir Kay, defeats the offending knight with a sharpened stick. He later falls into a deep thought, rebuffs Sir Kay's rude approach, and is courteously welcomed by Sir Gawain, who brings him before Arthur.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and the Quest
Perceval's journey from ignorance to knighthood embodies the classic hero's quest, as he overcomes obstacles and proves his worth.
Hospitality and Its Violation
The knight's insult to Queen Guenever and the rude treatment of Perceval by Sir Kay contrast with Gawain's courteous welcome, highlighting the importance of hospitality.
Cultural Transmission and Education
Perceval's mother instructs him in basic social and moral rules, and Sir Owain teaches him about arms, showing the transmission of chivalric culture.
Characters to notice
- Sir Perceval
The protagonist, raised in ignorance of chivalry, who sets out to become a knight and proves his worth by defeating an insulting knight.
- Sir Gawain
The courteous knight who respectfully approaches Perceval during his trance and brings him to King Arthur.
- Sir Kay
The seneschal who mocks Perceval and strikes the smiling damsel, later being thrown and injured by Perceval.
- Queen Guenever
The queen who is insulted by a knight dashing wine in her face, prompting Perceval's first quest.
- King Arthur
The king at whose court Perceval arrives seeking knighthood, and who later welcomes him.
- Sir Owain
The knight who first explains arms and armor to Perceval in the forest, and later helps him don the defeated knight's armor.
Key passages
“Mother, what are those yonder? They are angels, my son, said she. By my faith, I will go and become an angel with them.”
Perceval asks his mother about the knights he sees, and she tells him they are angels, prompting him to declare he will join them.
Perceval's innocent misunderstanding and his mother's protective lie set the stage for his departure.
“My mother told me, whenever I saw meat and drink to take it.”
Perceval explains that his mother instructed him to help himself to food and drink whenever he encountered them.
Perceval naively follows his mother's advice, leading him to eat in the tent of a maiden without understanding social norms.
“Truly, said Kay, thou art ill taught to remain a year at Arthur's court, with choice of society, and smile on no one, and now before the face of Arthur and all his knights to call such a man as this the flower of knighthood; and he gave her a box on the ear, that she fell senseless to the ground.”
Sir Kay rebukes the damsel for smiling at Perceval and calling him the flower of chivalry, then strikes her so hard she faints.
Kay's cruelty contrasts with the damsel's prophetic smile, emphasizing the theme of unrecognized worth.
“It is not fitting that any should disturb an honorable knight from his thought unadvisedly; for either he is pondering some damage that he has sustained, or he is thinking of the lady whom best he loves.”
Sir Gawain advises that a knight deep in thought should not be rudely interrupted, as he may be reflecting on a loss or his beloved.
Gawain's courteous approach exemplifies the chivalric ideal of respect and understanding.
