# Chapter XXXIX explained — Ivanhoe

> Chapter companion for Ivanhoe by Walter Scott.

## What happens

Bois-Guilbert confronts Rebecca in her cell, offering to save her from execution if she becomes his lover. Rebecca refuses, asserting her faith and courage. Bois-Guilbert struggles with his conscience but ultimately decides to proceed with the trial by combat, fearing dishonor and loss of status.

## Themes in this chapter

### Antisemitism and Prejudice

Rebecca faces execution due to her Jewish faith, and Bois-Guilbert's offer to save her is contingent on her conversion and submission.

### Chivalry and Honor

Bois-Guilbert is torn between his knightly honor and his personal desires, ultimately choosing to uphold his reputation at Rebecca's expense.

### Love and Loyalty

Bois-Guilbert's conflicted feelings for Rebecca highlight the tension between romantic desire and loyalty to his order.

### Power and Tyranny

The Grand Master's authoritarian control over the Templars forces Bois-Guilbert into a cruel dilemma, illustrating institutional tyranny.

## Character check-ins

### Rebecca

Rebecca steadfastly refuses Bois-Guilbert's offer, declaring her courage and faith in God, and forgives him as his victim.

### Brian de Bois-Guilbert

Bois-Guilbert is torn between his desire for Rebecca and his fear of dishonor, ultimately choosing to proceed with the trial despite his internal conflict.

### Albert de Malvoisin

Malvoisin manipulates Bois-Guilbert, warning him of the consequences of refusing to fight and urging him to maintain his reputation.

### Lucas de Beaumanoir

Beaumanoir is referenced as the bigoted Grand Master who imposed the trial on Bois-Guilbert.

### Wilfred of Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe is mentioned as one of the few knights capable of matching Bois-Guilbert in combat, but is unable to bear his armor.

### King Richard the Lionheart

Richard is referenced as being in a foreign prison and as a former adversary of Bois-Guilbert in Palestine.

## Key lines

> Thus," said Rebecca, "do men throw on fate the issue of their own wild passions.

Rebecca accuses Bois-Guilbert of blaming fate for his own choices.

_Rebecca rejects Bois-Guilbert's fatalism, asserting personal responsibility._

> I have been a child of battle from my youth upward, high in my views, steady and inflexible in pursuing them.

Bois-Guilbert describes himself as a lifelong warrior, determined and unyielding.

_Bois-Guilbert's self-characterization underscores his pride and rigidity._

> If I appear not, then am I a degraded and dishonoured knight, accused of witchcraft and of communion with infidels

Bois-Guilbert fears that refusing to fight will lead to his disgrace and accusations of sorcery.

_Bois-Guilbert weighs the cost of dishonor against his desire to save Rebecca._

> I tell thee, proud Templar, that not in thy fiercest battles hast thou displayed more of thy vaunted courage, than has been shown by woman when called upon to suffer by affection or duty.

Rebecca asserts that women show as much courage in suffering as knights do in battle.

_Rebecca challenges Bois-Guilbert's assumptions about female weakness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xxxix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ivanhoe_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters