Ivanhoe · Chapter
The Disinherited Knight's Generosity and Isaac's Lament explained
The Disinherited Knight, having won the tournament, refuses to accept ransom from Brian de Bois-Guilbert, declaring a mortal quarrel, but generously accepts ransoms from other knights and distributes the money among squires, heralds, and at
What happens
The Disinherited Knight, having won the tournament, refuses to accept ransom from Brian de Bois-Guilbert, declaring a mortal quarrel, but generously accepts ransoms from other knights and distributes the money among squires, heralds, and attendants. He then sends his attendant Gurth to pay Isaac the Jew for the horse and arms supplied on credit. The scene shifts to Isaac's lodging, where he laments the loss of fifty zecchins to Prince John, but is consoled by his daughter Rebecca, who reminds him of the advantages of Jewish wealth. Gurth arrives to speak with Isaac.
Themes in this chapter
Chivalry and Honor
The Disinherited Knight exemplifies chivalric ideals by refusing ransom from Bois-Guilbert and generously distributing wealth to attendants.
Antisemitism and Prejudice
Isaac's lament highlights the persecution of Jews, who are forced to smile while being robbed, and the distrust between Christians and Jews.
Power and Tyranny
Prince John's arbitrary seizure of fifty zecchins from Isaac illustrates the tyranny of Norman rulers over the Jewish population.
Characters to notice
- Wilfred of Ivanhoe
As the Disinherited Knight, he shows chivalry and generosity, refusing ransom from Bois-Guilbert and distributing wealth to attendants.
- Gurth
Disguised as a Norman squire, he serves Ivanhoe and is sent to pay Isaac, but hesitates to deal with the Jew.
- Brian de Bois-Guilbert
His squire offers ransom, but Ivanhoe refuses, escalating their mortal quarrel.
- Isaac of York
Distraught over losing fifty zecchins to Prince John, he laments the plight of Jews under Christian tyranny.
- Rebecca
Comforts her father, pointing out the power of Jewish wealth, and veils herself before Gurth enters.
- Baldwin de Oyley
Squire to Brian de Bois-Guilbert, he delivers the ransom offer and receives Ivanhoe's defiant message.
- Reginald Front-de-Boeuf
His squire offers a hundred zecchins for ransom, which Ivanhoe accepts.
Key passages
“The Disinherited Knight had no sooner reached his pavilion, than squires and pages in abundance tendered their services to disarm him, to bring fresh attire, and to offer him the refreshment of the bath.”
As soon as the Disinherited Knight arrived at his tent, many squires and pages eagerly offered to help him remove his armor, bring clean clothes, and prepare a bath.
Highlights the knight's celebrity status after the tournament.
“I should do ill to deprive them of steeds and arms which can never be used by braver cavaliers.”
It would be wrong of me to take away horses and weapons that could never be wielded by more courageous knights.
Shows Ivanhoe's magnanimity toward his defeated opponents.
“Willingly? the blotch of Egypt upon him!—Willingly, saidst thou?—Ay, as willingly as when, in the Gulf of Lyons, I flung over my merchandise to lighten the ship, while she laboured in the tempest.”
Willingly? May the plague of Egypt strike him! You say willingly? Yes, as willingly as when I threw my goods overboard in the Gulf of Lyons to save the ship during a storm.
Isaac's bitter metaphor compares paying Prince John to a desperate sacrifice at sea.
“We are like the herb which flourisheth most when it is most trampled on.”
We are like a plant that grows best when it is stepped on the most.
Rebecca's proverb reflects Jewish resilience under oppression.
