Idylls of the King · Chapter
Geraint and Enid explained
Geraint, driven by jealousy and doubt, tests his wife Enid's fidelity by commanding her to ride ahead in silence through dangerous lands.
What happens
Geraint, driven by jealousy and doubt, tests his wife Enid's fidelity by commanding her to ride ahead in silence through dangerous lands. Despite his harshness, Enid repeatedly warns him of ambushes, and Geraint proves his valor by defeating attackers. The chapter explores themes of trust, misjudgment, and redemption, culminating in Arthur's praise of Edyrn's transformation and Geraint's eventual reconciliation with Enid.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Betrayal
Geraint's jealousy and suspicion of Enid's fidelity drive the plot, testing the boundaries of trust in marriage.
Chivalry and Honor
Geraint's martial prowess and Arthur's praise of Edyrn's transformation highlight the chivalric code of honor and redemption.
Illusion and Reality
Geraint's false perceptions of Enid's loyalty contrast with her actual devotion, illustrating the theme of mistaking true for false.
Characters to notice
- Geraint
Driven by jealousy, he tests Enid by commanding silence and riding apart, yet proves his martial prowess.
- Enid
Loyal and obedient, she struggles with Geraint's command but repeatedly warns him of danger out of love.
- King Arthur
Appears to commend Edyrn's transformation and to cleanse the land of corruption.
- Edyrn
Shown as a reformed knight, praised by Arthur for his inner change.
- Earl Limours
A deceitful earl who plots to take Enid from Geraint.
- Earl Doorm
Mentioned as the ruler of a waste earldom, called 'the Bull' by his vassals.
Key passages
“O purblind race of miserable men, How many among us at this very hour Do forge a life-long trouble for ourselves, By taking true for false, or false for true;”
Oh, blind and unhappy humanity, how many of us create lasting misery by mistaking truth for falsehood or falsehood for truth.
Opening moral reflection on the dangers of misjudgment.
“Not at my side. I charge thee ride before, Ever a good way on before; and this I charge thee, on thy duty as a wife, Whatever happens, not to speak to me, No, not a word!”
Do not ride beside me. I command you to ride ahead, and as your duty as a wife, you must not speak to me at all, no matter what happens.
Geraint's harsh command to Enid, setting the test in motion.
“I will go back a little to my lord, And I will tell him all their caitiff talk; For, be he wroth even to slaying me, Far liefer by his dear hand had I die, Than that my lord should suffer loss or shame.”
I will return to my lord and warn him of the bandits' threats; even if he is angry enough to kill me, I would rather die by his hand than see him harmed or dishonored.
Enid's internal resolve to break her silence out of love and loyalty.
“His very face with change of heart is changed. The world will not believe a man repents: And this wise world of ours is mainly right. Full seldom doth a man repent, or use Both grace and will to pick the vicious quitch Of blood and custom wholly out of him, And make all clean, and plant himself afresh.”
His face itself has changed with his changed heart. The world rarely believes a man truly repents, and rightly so, for few men genuinely uproot their old vices and start anew.
Arthur's commentary on Edyrn's rare and genuine repentance.
