The Cream of the Jest · Chapter
XXXI: Horvendile to Ettarre: At Whitehall explained
Kennaston, in the guise of Horvendile, witnesses a conversation between Oliver Cromwell and Ettarre at Whitehall.
What happens
Kennaston, in the guise of Horvendile, witnesses a conversation between Oliver Cromwell and Ettarre at Whitehall. Cromwell speaks of his plans for Ireland and Virginia, revealing his weariness and age. After Cromwell departs, Kennaston questions Ettarre about her role in the rise of powerful men like Cromwell, Mohammed, and Napoleon. Ettarre explains that she is merely an incident in their lives, and that a mirror aids them in focusing on their own ends. Kennaston reflects on the moral compromises of power and regrets not being better prepared to influence Cromwell.
Themes in this chapter
The Power of Storytelling
Kennaston's desire to use foreknowledge to influence Cromwell highlights the power of narrative and historical understanding.
Disillusionment and Cynicism
Kennaston's cynical view of Cromwell's pious justifications for violence reflects a broader disillusionment with power.
The Search for Meaning
Kennaston seeks to understand the mechanism behind the rise of great men, probing Ettarre for answers.
Characters to notice
- Felix Kennaston
Appears as Horvendile, questioning Ettarre about the nature of power and regretting his lack of historical knowledge.
- Horvendile
Kennaston's dream persona, engaged in dialogue with Ettarre and Cromwell.
- La Beale Ettarre
Present at Whitehall, reveals her role in inspiring powerful men and the secret of the mirror.
- Cromwell
The Lord Protector, speaks of his plans for Ireland and Virginia, and expresses weariness with age.
Key passages
““Yes, I shall do all this, with Heaven’s help, I think. But in good faith, I grow old, Master Major. I move in a mist, and my deeds are strange to me. …””
Cromwell admits to feeling aged and disconnected from his own actions, as if moving through a fog.
Cromwell's moment of self-doubt and weariness.
““It is not I who contrive it, Horvendile. I am but an incident in such men’s lives. They have known me—yes: and knowing me, they were bent enough on their own ends to forget that I seemed not unlovely.””
Ettarre explains that she is merely a catalyst in the lives of great men, who are driven by their own ambitions.
Ettarre's revelation about her role in history.
““Why is it that people of executive ability seem always to be more or less mentally deficient? Now, you and I know that, in point of fact, he is going into Ireland to burn villages, massacre women, hang bishops, and generally qualify his name for all time as a Hibernian synonym for infamy.””
Kennaston cynically observes that effective leaders often lack moral clarity, citing Cromwell's brutal Irish campaign.
Kennaston's critique of the moral blindness of powerful men.