Le Morte d’Arthur · Chapter
How Sir Tristram and Launcelot, with Palomides, came to joyous Gard; and of Palomides and Sir Tristram explained
Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides encounter Sir Launcelot, who initially conceals his identity but later reveals himself at Joyous Gard.
What happens
Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides encounter Sir Launcelot, who initially conceals his identity but later reveals himself at Joyous Gard. Launcelot departs after a few days, leaving Palomides and Dinadan with Tristram. Palomides, consumed by his unrequited love for La Beale Isoud, grows despondent and composes a lament by a well. Tristram overhears the song, confronts Palomides about his treasonous love, and Palomides defends his love as free and without reward.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Adultery
Palomides' unrequited love for La Beale Isoud, who is Tristram's lady, highlights the tension between love and loyalty.
Honor and Reputation
Tristram restrains his anger at Palomides due to the shame of slaying an unarmed knight and the noble names they both bear.
Betrayal and Treachery
Tristram accuses Palomides of treason for loving La Beale Isoud, though Palomides argues love is free and not treacherous.
Characters to notice
- Sir Tristram de Liones
Hosts Launcelot at Joyous Gard, overhears Palomides' lament, and confronts him about his love for La Beale Isoud.
- Sir Launcelot du Lake
Arrives incognito, reveals himself at Joyous Gard, and departs after a few days.
- Sir Palomides
Stays at Joyous Gard, fades from unrequited love for La Beale Isoud, composes a lament, and defends his love to Tristram.
- La Beale Isoud
Object of Palomides' love and the subject of his lament; present at Joyous Gard.
- Sir Ector de Maris
Rides with Launcelot upon his departure from Joyous Gard.
- Sir Dinadan
Remains at Joyous Gard with Tristram and Palomides after Launcelot leaves.
Key passages
“Ah, Palomides, Palomides, why art thou defaded, thou that was wont to be called one of the fairest knights of the world? I will no more lead this life, for I love that I may never get nor recover.”
Palomides laments his faded appearance and resolves to abandon his current life because he loves someone he can never possess.
Palomides' despair over his unrequited love for La Beale Isoud leads him to contemplate giving up knighthood.
“I have done to you no treason, said Palomides, for love is free for all men, and though I have loved your lady, she is my lady as well as yours; howbeit I have wrong if any wrong be, for ye rejoice her, and have your desire of her, and so had I never nor never am like to have, and yet shall I love her to the uttermost days of my life as well as ye.”
Palomides defends his love for La Beale Isoud as a free and natural feeling, asserting that he has never acted treasonously despite his unreturned devotion.
Palomides argues that love is not bound by possession, and his love for Isoud is pure and without reward.