# XVIII: The Black Knight explained — Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle

> Chapter companion for Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

The Great Tourney reaches its climax as Blake, the Black Knight of Nimmr, defeats Sir Guy of the Sepulcher but spares his life, winning admiration and confusion. Despite a narrow lead, Nimmr wins the tourney by two points. As the victors claim the prize, a knight in leopard skin bassinet enters the stands and Princess Guinalda is kidnapped.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor and Chivalry

Blake defies the laws of the tourney to aid the wounded Sir Guy, demonstrating a personal code of honor that values mercy over custom.

### Love and Sacrifice

Blake fights for his Princess, whispering 'For my Princess!' as he charges Sir Wildred, showing his motivation is love.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

King Bohun betrays the tourney's spirit by orchestrating the kidnapping of Princess Guinalda while the victors are distracted.

## Character check-ins

### James Hunter Blake

The Black Knight of Nimmr; defeats Sir Guy and Sir Wildred, shows chivalry by aiding his fallen foe, and fights for his Princess.

### Sir Guy

Knight of the Sepulcher; defeated by Blake, wounded in the throat, but saved by Blake's mercy.

### Sir Richard

Knight of Nimmr; leads a party to protect Blake and explains customs to him.

### Sir Wildred

Knight of the Sepulcher; unhorsed by Blake in the final event, puzzled by Blake's friendly demeanor.

### King Bohun

King of the Sepulcher; orchestrates the kidnapping of Princess Guinalda after the tourney.

### Princess Guinalda

Princess of Nimmr; kidnapped from her loge by Bohun's knights during the prize ceremony.

## Key lines

> I do not give a damn for your laws or your customs. Where I come from a decent man wouldn't let a yellow dog bleed to death without trying to save him, much less a brave and gallant boy like this, and because he fell by my hand, by the customs of my country I should be compelled to aid him.

Blake tells the marshals that he doesn't care about their ancient rules; in his homeland, a decent person would never let even a dog die without help, especially a brave young man he himself defeated.

_Blake explains his modern ethics to the medieval knights, shocking them with his disregard for tradition._

> For my Princess!

Blake whispers a dedication to his beloved princess as he charges into combat against Sir Wildred.

_Blake's personal motivation is revealed in this brief, heartfelt cry._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_lord_of_the_jungle_se/chapters/xviii-the-black-knight
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_lord_of_the_jungle_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tarzan_lord_of_the_jungle_se/chapters