# How Sir Tristram and Launcelot, with Palomides, came to joyous Gard; and of Palomides and Sir Tristram explained — Le Morte d’Arthur

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters/lxxxvi
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/le_morte_d_arthur_se/chapters