Le Morte d’Arthur · Chapter
How Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides did the next day, and how King Arthur was unhorsed explained
In a grand tournament, Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides compete fiercely, with Tristram outshining Palomides.
What happens
In a grand tournament, Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides compete fiercely, with Tristram outshining Palomides. King Arthur and Sir Launcelot join the fray, but Tristram unknowingly unhorses Arthur. Launcelot fights valiantly, rescuing Arthur and performing great deeds, while Tristram watches in admiration.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Reputation
The tournament is a stage for knights to gain or lose honor, as seen in the shifting praise from Palomides to Tristram and Launcelot's valiant deeds.
Violence and Vengeance
The intense jousting and swordplay, with knights being unhorsed and pulled down, underscores the violent nature of knightly combat.
Characters to notice
- Sir Tristram de Liones
Arrives like thunder, unhorses Sir Kay and three others, and later unknowingly unhorses King Arthur.
- Sir Palomides
Begins the tournament strongly, unhorsing Sir Kainus and another knight, but is later overshadowed by Tristram and pulled down by Sir Ector.
- King Arthur
Observes the tournament, praises Palomides and Tristram, but is unhorsed by Tristram unknowingly.
- Sir Launcelot du Lake
Fights heroically, rescues Arthur, and smites down thirty knights, earning Tristram's admiration.
- Sir Ector de Maris
Breaks his spear on Palomides, pulls him down, and provides horses to Launcelot.
Key passages
“Lo, said King Arthur, yonder Palomides beginneth to play his pageant. So God me help, said Arthur, he is a passing good knight.”
King Arthur remarks that Palomides is performing impressively and acknowledges him as an excellent knight.
Arthur's praise highlights Palomides' early success in the tournament.
“Then the noise and cry changed from Sir Palomides and turned to Sir Tristram, and all the people cried: O Tristram, O Tristram.”
The crowd's attention shifts from Palomides to Tristram as they cheer his name.
This shift in acclaim demonstrates Tristram's superior prowess and the fickle nature of public honor.
“When Sir Launcelot heard them say so, he fared as it had been an hungry lion, for he fared so that no knight durst nigh him.”
Upon hearing the threat of capture, Launcelot fought with such ferocity that no knight dared approach him.
Launcelot's lion-like fury emphasizes his legendary combat skill and determination.