Idylls of the King · Chapter
Gareth and Lynette explained
Gareth, disguised as a kitchen knave, is granted a boon by King Arthur to serve in the kitchens for a year.
What happens
Gareth, disguised as a kitchen knave, is granted a boon by King Arthur to serve in the kitchens for a year. He then undertakes a quest for the Lady Lynette, who scorns him for his lowly appearance. With the help of Sir Lancelot, who lends him his shield and horse, Gareth defeats three knights and prepares to face the fourth, the 'Morning Star,' at the Castle Perilous. The chapter also includes Arthur's judgment of a woman who cursed her husband, his rejection of King Mark's tribute, and Gareth's rescue of a baron from drowning.
Themes in this chapter
Chivalry and Honor
Gareth's quest and Lancelot's generosity exemplify chivalric ideals, while Arthur's judgment upholds honor against Mark's deceit.
Illusion and Reality
Gareth's true nobility is hidden behind his kitchen-knave disguise, challenging Lynette's perceptions and the court's assumptions.
Characters to notice
- Gareth
Disguises himself as a kitchen knave, serves for a year, then undertakes the quest to rescue Lady Lyonors, showing bravery and skill.
- Lynette
Scorns Gareth initially for his kitchen-knave appearance but later shows concern for his safety, revealing a complex attitude.
- Sir Lancelot
Generously lends Gareth his shield and horse, offering advice on chivalry and combat.
- King Arthur
Grants Gareth's boon to serve in the kitchens, judges a woman's plea with justice, and rejects King Mark's tribute, upholding the honor of knighthood.
- Sir Kay
The seneschal who mocks Gareth and later fights him, only to be overthrown.
- King Mark
Sends a cloth of gold as tribute, but Arthur condemns him as a craven and refuses to knight him.
- Lyonors
The Lady of the Castle Perilous, seen waving to Gareth from a window, the object of the quest.
Key passages
“And when they sought and found, Sir Gareth drank and ate, and all his life Past into sleep; on whom the maiden gazed. “Sound sleep be thine! sound cause to sleep hast thou. Wake lusty! Seem I not as tender to him As any mother? Ay, but such a one As all day long hath rated at her child, And vext his day, but blesses him asleep— Good lord, how sweetly smells the honeysuckle In the hushed night, as if the world were one Of utter peace, and love, and gentleness! O Lancelot, Lancelot”—and she clapt her hands— “Full merry am I to find my goodly knave Is knight and noble. See now, sworn have I, Else yon black felon had not let me pass, To bring thee back to do the battle with him. Thus an thou goest, he will fight thee first; Who doubts thee victor? so will my knight-knave Miss the full flower of this accomplishment.””
After Gareth eats and sleeps, Lynette watches him tenderly, comparing herself to a mother who scolds her child by day but blesses him at night. She expresses joy at discovering his noble nature and reminds him of her vow to bring him back to fight the black felon, fearing he might miss the glory of the final battle.
Lynette's soliloquy reveals her changing feelings toward Gareth, from scorn to admiration, and her concern for his success.
“Then Arthur cried to rend the cloth, to rend In pieces, and so cast it on the hearth. An oak-tree smouldered there. “The goodly knight! What! shall the shield of Mark stand among these?””
Arthur orders the cloth of gold sent by King Mark to be torn and thrown into the fire, refusing to honor a king he deems treacherous and unworthy of a place among his knights.
Arthur's rejection of Mark's gift underscores the theme of kingship and honor, contrasting true nobility with false pretension.