Jurgen · Chapter
XXI: How Anaïtis Voyaged explained
Jurgen and Anaïtis board a seemingly deserted ship that sets sail on its own, passing Enisgarth and Camwy while Anaïtis tells tales of the Old Gods.
What happens
Jurgen and Anaïtis board a seemingly deserted ship that sets sail on its own, passing Enisgarth and Camwy while Anaïtis tells tales of the Old Gods. They arrive at a desolate, foggy shore and walk through a gray landscape inhabited by strange worms and reptiles, eventually reaching a wall with a bronze knocker modeled after Adam and Eve, which is the entrance to Cocaigne.
Themes in this chapter
Mythology and Storytelling
Anaïtis narrates tales of the Old Gods, including Anistar and Calmoora, Procris, King Minos, and Pasiphaë, weaving mythology into the journey.
Illusion vs. Reality
The ship appears deserted but moves on its own; the crew is heard but not seen; the landscape is shrouded in fog and populated by strange creatures, blurring the line between reality and illusion.
The Search for Meaning and Desire
Jurgen's persistent questioning and Anaïtis's philosophical reflections on the brevity of life and bodily pleasure highlight the search for meaning and desire.
Characters to notice
- Jurgen
Accompanies Anaïtis on a voyage to Cocaigne, asking many questions about the strange surroundings and crew.
- Queen Anaïtis
Leads Jurgen to Cocaigne, narrates tales of the Old Gods, and dismisses his concerns about the unusual crew and landscape.
- Merlin Ambrosius
Mentioned as having traveled with Anaïtis to Glathion in the ship they now board.
- King Gogyrvan
Mentioned as having thrown silver pieces for largesse in Cameliard.
Key passages
“So there is no call to be fingering your charmed sword as we walk here, Duke Jurgen, for these great worms do not ever harm the living.”
There is no need to touch your magical sword, Duke Jurgen, because these large worms never harm the living.
Anaïtis reassures Jurgen that the strange worms are harmless.
“All men that live have but a little while to live, and none knows his fate thereafter. So that a man possesses nothing certainly save a brief loan of his own body; and yet the body of man is capable of much curious pleasure.”
All living people have only a short time to live, and no one knows what happens after death. Thus, a person truly owns only a temporary lease on their own body, which is capable of many strange pleasures.
Anaïtis reflects on mortality and the potential for bodily pleasure.