# How Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector Reported to Queen Guenever of the Beauty of La Beale Isoud explained — Le Morte d’Arthur

> Chapter companion for Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory.

## What happens

Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector return to Queen Guenever, who has recovered from her illness, and report on the tournament they attended with Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud. They praise Isoud's beauty and goodness, and recount the tournament's three days: Palomides won the first, Tristram the second, and Launcelot the third. Queen Guenever reflects on the nature of envy and worship.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor and Reputation

The knights discuss who won worship at the tournament and Queen Guenever explains how envy can lead to dishonor.

### Love and Adultery

La Beale Isoud's beauty and goodness are praised, highlighting her role as a courtly love interest.

## Character check-ins

### Sir Bleoberis de Ganis

Returns to Queen Guenever and reports on the tournament and La Beale Isoud's beauty.

### Sir Ector de Maris

Returns with Sir Bleoberis and gives report to Queen Guenever.

### Queen Guenever

Recovered from her malady, she questions the knights about Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud and comments on envy.

### Sir Tristram de Liones

Mentioned as hosting the knights and winning the second day of the tournament.

### La Beale Isoud

Praised for her peerless beauty, bounty, mirth, and goodness.

## Key lines

> Truly, said those two knights, he doth as a noble knight should do; and as for the Queen Isoud, she is peerless of all ladies; for to speak of her beauty, bounté, and mirth, and of her goodness, we saw never her match as far as we have ridden and gone.

The knights affirm that Sir Tristram behaves as a noble knight, and Queen Isoud is unmatched in beauty, generosity, cheerfulness, and goodness.

_The knights give a glowing report of Tristram and Isoud to Queen Guenever._

> for an it happeth an envious man once to win worship he shall be dishonoured twice therefore; and for this cause all men of worship hate an envious man, and will shew him no favour, and he that is courteous, and kind, and gentle, hath favour in every place.

An envious man who gains honor will later be doubly shamed, so honorable people despise envy and favor those who are courteous, kind, and gentle.

_Queen Guenever explains the moral consequences of envy versus courtesy._

## Links

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