Poetry · Chapter
Eldorado explained
A gallant knight journeys in search of the mythical land of Eldorado, but as he ages and his strength fails, he meets a pilgrim shadow who directs him to ride boldly over the Mountains of the Moon and down the Valley of the Shadow.
What happens
A gallant knight journeys in search of the mythical land of Eldorado, but as he ages and his strength fails, he meets a pilgrim shadow who directs him to ride boldly over the Mountains of the Moon and down the Valley of the Shadow.
Themes in this chapter
Ambition and Pride
The knight's lifelong quest for Eldorado represents relentless ambition, which ultimately leads to disillusionment.
Death and Mortality
The knight's aging and the shadow's directive to ride into the Valley of the Shadow evoke the inevitability of death.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Gayly bedight, A gallant knight, In sunshine and in shadow, Had journeyed long, Singing a song, In search of Eldorado.”
A cheerful and brave knight traveled for a long time, through both good and bad times, singing as he sought the legendary land of Eldorado.
Introduces the knight's optimistic quest.
“But he grew old— This knight so bold— And o’er his heart a shadow Fell as he found No spot of ground That looked like Eldorado.”
As the knight aged, his courage waned, and he became disheartened because he could not find any place that resembled Eldorado.
Highlights the theme of disillusionment with age.
““Over the Mountains Of the Moon, Down the Valley of the Shadow, Ride, boldly ride,” The shade replied, “If you seek for Eldorado!””
The shadow told the knight to ride courageously over the Mountains of the Moon and into the Valley of the Shadow if he truly wanted to find Eldorado.
The shadow's advice suggests that Eldorado is found only through death.