Jurgen · Chapter
XIII: Philosophy of Gogyrvan Gawr explained
King Gogyrvan Gawr speaks privately with Jurgen about his daughter Guenevere's impending marriage to King Arthur.
What happens
King Gogyrvan Gawr speaks privately with Jurgen about his daughter Guenevere's impending marriage to King Arthur. Gogyrvan reveals a cynical, pragmatic philosophy, advising Jurgen to 'lie like a gentleman' regarding Guenevere's honor and to enjoy the spring while it lasts. He reflects on the nature of youth, love, and the inevitable disillusionment of age, illustrating his worldview with a poetic vignette about a girl named Lynette and her lover Sagramor.
Themes in this chapter
Illusion vs. Reality
Gogyrvan contrasts the romantic illusions of youth (Lynette's dream) with the sordid reality (Sagramor's drunken conquest), urging Jurgen to maintain polite fictions.
Aging and Youth
Gogyrvan's speech emphasizes the gulf between youthful idealism and the weary pragmatism of old age, advising Jurgen to enjoy his youth before regret sets in.
Compromise and Conformity
Gogyrvan advocates for a pragmatic, compromising approach to honor and relationships, advising Jurgen to 'lie like a gentleman' to maintain social harmony.
Characters to notice
- King Gogyrvan
Delivers a cynical, paternal lecture to Jurgen, advising him to lie like a gentleman and enjoy youth's fleeting pleasures.
- Jurgen
Engages in a philosophical discussion with King Gogyrvan, expressing horror at the King's pragmatic views on honor and love.
- Dame Guenevere
The subject of the conversation; Gogyrvan discusses her betrothal to Arthur and her flirtation with Jurgen.
- Yolande
Mentioned by Gogyrvan as having dealt 'over-thriftily' with Jurgen, preventing a romantic conflagration.
- Lynette
Appears in Gogyrvan's poetic illustration as a young girl dreaming of her lover Sagramor.
- Sagramor
Mentioned in Gogyrvan's vignette as Lynette's lover, later celebrating a conquest drunkenly.
Key passages
“I would have you lie like a gentleman.”
Gogyrvan advises Jurgen to be tactfully dishonest about matters of honor, especially concerning Guenevere.
Central to Gogyrvan's philosophy of pragmatic social conduct.
“Youth can afford ideals, being vigorous enough to stand the hard knocks they earn their possessor. But I am an old fellow cursed with a tender heart and tolerably keen eyes.”
Young people can afford to be idealistic because they are strong enough to endure the consequences, but old age brings a painful clarity.
Highlights the theme of aging and the loss of youthful illusions.
“For thus is every woman for a little while, and thus is every man for all time.”
Women are briefly the objects of romantic idealization, while men are perpetually fickle and self-serving.
Gogyrvan's cynical view of gender dynamics in love.