# XXI: The Sangreal (Continued) explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

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

## What happens

Sir Launcelot returns to Camelot after a failed attempt to enter the chamber of the Sangreal, where he is struck down by a divine breath and lies unconscious for twenty-four days. Sir Galahad, with Sir Perceval and Sir Bohort, sails to the city of Sarras, where Galahad is made king and the Sangreal is enshrined. Sir Bohort faces a moral dilemma between rescuing his brother Sir Lionel and aiding a distressed maiden, choosing the latter, and later mourns what he believes is Lionel's death.

## Themes in this chapter

### Heroism and the Quest

The knights pursue the Sangreal, facing moral tests and divine encounters; Launcelot's failure and Galahad's success highlight the quest's spiritual nature.

### Fate and Free Will

Bohort's choice between rescuing his brother and aiding a maiden demonstrates the tension between personal loyalty and chivalric duty, guided by divine will.

### Mortality and Immortality

Galahad's prayer for death and the promise of eternal life reflect the Christian theme of earthly mortality versus spiritual immortality.

## Character check-ins

### Sir Launcelot

Returns to Camelot after failing to enter the Sangreal chamber; lies unconscious for twenty-four days and later recounts his adventures to King Arthur.

### Sir Galahad

Rescues Perceval, joins Bohort and Perceval on a ship, arrives at Sarras, and is chosen as king after healing a crippled man.

### Sir Bohort

Chooses to rescue a maiden over his brother Sir Lionel, later mourns what he believes is Lionel's death, and is counseled by a religious man.

### Sir Perceval

Rescued by Galahad from twenty knights, joins the ship to Sarras, and helps carry the silver table.

### Sir Lionel

Beaten and bound by two knights while naked; Sir Bohort sees him but chooses to aid a maiden instead.

### King Arthur

Found at Camelot by Launcelot after many knights of the Round Table have been slain.

## Key lines

> Then Sir Launcelot kneeled down before the chamber, for well he wist that there was the Sangreal in that chamber. Then said he, 'Fair, sweet Lord, if ever I did anything that pleased thee, for thy pity show me something of that which I seek.'

Launcelot knelt before the chamber, knowing the Holy Grail was inside, and prayed to God to grant him a glimpse of it.

_Launcelot's humble plea before the Grail chamber, leading to his partial vision and subsequent punishment._

> Then Sir Bohort prepared to rescue his brother. But he looked on the other side of him, and saw a knight dragging along a fair gentlewoman, who cried out, 'Saint Mary! succor your maid!'

Bohort was about to save his brother Lionel when he saw a knight abducting a woman who cried for help.

_Bohort's moral dilemma between family loyalty and chivalric duty._

> And a voice said to him, 'Galahad, thou shalt have thy request; and when thou askest the death of they body, thou shalt have it, and then shalt thou find the life of thy soul.'

A voice promised Galahad that he would be granted death when he asked for it, leading to eternal life.

_Divine assurance of Galahad's spiritual reward and martyrdom._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxi-the-sangreal-continued
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters