Idylls of the King · Chapter
Balin and Balan explained
Balin and Balan, two brothers, are overthrown by Arthur at a fountain and later reconciled to the court.
What happens
Balin and Balan, two brothers, are overthrown by Arthur at a fountain and later reconciled to the court. Balin receives a shield bearing Guinevere's crown as a token to curb his violent nature, but he witnesses a private moment between Lancelot and Guinevere that fuels his inner turmoil. Vivien deceives Balin with lies about Lancelot and Guinevere, driving him to madness. He destroys the shield and, in a blind rage, fights and mortally wounds his own brother Balan before dying himself.
Themes in this chapter
Ideal vs. Real
Balin's aspiration to gentleness through the crown token clashes with his inherent violence, leading to tragedy.
Fall from Grace
Balin's descent from a knight of the Round Table to a savage killer of his own brother illustrates a dramatic fall.
Love and Betrayal
Vivien's lies about Lancelot and Guinevere betray Balin's trust and catalyze his madness.
Illusion and Reality
Balin misinterprets the garden scene and is deceived by Vivien, confusing appearance with truth.
Characters to notice
- King Arthur
Overthrows Balin and Balan at the fountain, reconciles them to the court, and grants Balin permission to bear Guinevere's crown on his shield.
- Balin
A violent knight exiled for striking a thrall; returns to court, receives the crown shield, but is driven mad by Vivien's lies and kills his brother Balan.
- Balan
Balin's brother, a knight who quests for the Wood-devil and is fatally wounded by Balin in their unrecognized combat.
- Guinevere
Queen who grants Balin the crown cognizance; seen in a garden with Lancelot, prompting Balin's suspicion and despair.
- Sir Lancelot
Observed by Balin in a private, ambiguous encounter with Guinevere in the garden.
- Vivien
Deceives Balin with fabricated tales of Lancelot and Guinevere's infidelity, provoking his violent outburst.
- King Pellam
A Christless foe turned holy, from whom Arthur's embassy returns; his holy spear is used in the fatal combat between Balin and Balan.
Key passages
“Man’s word is God in man.”
A person's promise is sacred and must be kept as if it were divine.
Arthur's command to his treasurer emphasizes the binding nature of oaths.
“The Lost one Found was greeted as in Heaven With joy that blazed itself in woodland wealth Of leaf, and gayest garlandage of flowers”
Balin, once exiled, was welcomed back to court with exuberant celebration and floral decorations.
Describes the joyous reception of Balin's return to the Round Table.
“I set thee high on vantage ground, From whence to watch the time, and eagle-like Stoop at thy will on Lancelot and the Queen.”
Vivien offers Balin a position from which he can spy and eventually attack Lancelot and Guinevere.
Vivien manipulates Balin by promising him power over the Queen and Lancelot.
“The crown is but the shadow of the King, And this a shadow’s shadow”
The crown is only a symbol of the king, and its image on a shield is even less substantial.
Arthur's comment on the shield device reflects the theme of illusion and reality.
