# What Was Going on All This Time in the Mind of One of the Spectators explained — The Black Tulip > Chapter companion for The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas. ## What happens This chapter focuses on Isaac Boxtel's perspective during Cornelius van Baerle's near-execution. Boxtel, having schemed to obtain the black tulip bulbs, watches from the crowd, having bribed the executioner for Cornelius's clothes. He is thwarted when the Prince of Orange grants a reprieve, and in his rage, he is beaten by Orangemen and falls into the mud, ultimately tearing his hair in frustration. ## Themes in this chapter ### Jealousy and Revenge Boxtel's envy of Cornelius drives his entire scheme to steal the bulbs and his frantic reaction to the reprieve. His rage and self-harm underscore the destructive nature of jealousy. ### Obsession and Ambition Boxtel's single-minded pursuit of the black tulip bulbs, including bribing the executioner and enduring physical abuse, illustrates his obsessive ambition. ## Character check-ins ### Isaac Boxtel Boxtel is the central focus of the chapter, watching the execution from the crowd. He had bribed the executioner for Cornelius's clothes to obtain the bulbs, but is foiled by the reprieve. His envy and rage are vividly depicted. ### Cornelius van Baerle Cornelius is the condemned prisoner who is reprieved at the last moment. He is taken away in a coach, unaware of Boxtel's scheming. ### Rosa Gryphus Rosa is mentioned as having directed Boxtel to the executioner when he tried to bribe her for the bulbs. She is also noted as a reason (along with William of Orange) that Boxtel's plans failed. ### Gryphus Gryphus is the jailer who refused Boxtel's earlier bribe and set his dog on him, showing his loyalty. ### William of Orange William of Orange is the Stadtholder who granted the reprieve, frustrating Boxtel's plans. He is mentioned as a key reason Cornelius did not die. ## Key lines > Among all the spectators whom Van Baerle’s execution had attracted to the Buytenhof, and whom the sudden turn of affairs had disagreeably surprised, undoubtedly the one most disappointed was a certain respectably dressed burgher, who from early morning had made such a good use of his feet and elbows that he at last was separated from the scaffold only by the file of soldiers which surrounded it. The most disappointed person in the crowd at Van Baerle's execution was a well-dressed citizen who had pushed and shoved his way to the front. _This introduces Boxtel as the most frustrated spectator, highlighting his intense personal investment._ > But for Rosa and William, the calculations of the envious neighbour would have been correct. But for William, Cornelius would have died. But for Rosa, Cornelius would have died with his bulbs on his heart. Boxtel's plan would have succeeded if not for Rosa and William of Orange: William saved Cornelius's life, and Rosa prevented the bulbs from being lost. _This emphasizes the two key factors that thwarted Boxtel's scheme._ > Boxtel, quite overcome by his frenzy, fell from the stone upon some Orangemen, who, like him, were sorely vexed at the turn which affairs had taken. They, mistaking the frantic cries of Mynheer Isaac for demonstrations of joy, began to belabour him with kicks and cuffs... In his rage, Boxtel fell off the pump stone onto some Orangemen, who thought his cries were cheers and beat him. _This shows the ironic and violent outcome of Boxtel's frustration._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/chapters/xiii-what-was-going-on-all-this-time-in-the-mind-of-one-of-the-spectators - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/chapters