The Deluge · Chapter
LV explained
Zagloba, emboldened by drink, threatens to lead half the army from Tykotsin to relieve Chenstohova, causing alarm among the officers.
What happens
Zagloba, emboldened by drink, threatens to lead half the army from Tykotsin to relieve Chenstohova, causing alarm among the officers. Volodyovski rebukes him, and after a heated exchange they reconcile. Sapyeha departs for Tyshovtsi, leaving Oskyerko in charge of the siege, and orders that Radzivill's life be spared. The conversation turns to Volodyovski's romantic interests, including Olenka Billevich and Anusia Borzobogati. The chapter ends with news of a planned petard explosion against the castle.
Themes in this chapter
- National Identity and Resistance
Zagloba's call to relieve Chenstohova and the officers' concern for army discipline reflect the struggle to defend the Commonwealth and Catholic faith against Swedish invaders.
- Honor and Betrayal
Sapyeha's order to spare Radzivill's life contrasts with the desire for vengeance, highlighting tensions between legal justice and personal honor.
- Love and Sacrifice
Volodyovski's lament about his lonely service and his lingering feelings for Anusia Borzobogati underscore personal sacrifice amid war.
Characters to notice
- Zagloba
Drunk and fiery, threatens to lead troops to Chenstohova, then reconciles with Volodyovski.
- Pan Michael Volodyovski
Rebukes Zagloba for threatening army discipline, becomes emotional about his service, and later discusses his romantic feelings for Anusia.
- Roh Kovalski
Shouts support for Zagloba's plan to go to Chenstohova, then is silenced by Volodyovski.
- Yan Skshetuski
Frightened by Zagloba's threat, tries to restrain him.
- Kryshtofek Sapyeha
Departs for Tyshovtsi, leaves Oskyerko in charge of the siege, and orders Radzivill's life spared.
- Olenka Billevich
Mentioned as the object of Volodyovski's interest behind the walls of Tykotsin.
- Anusia Borzobogati
Discussed as Volodyovski's old love; Zagloba suggests she is a suitable match for him.
- Oskyerko
Left in command of the siege of Tykotsin; prepares to explode a petard.
Key passages
“I would have driven Karl Gustav beyond the tenth boundary ere now, but for that luckless modesty which commanded me to place the baton in the hands of Sapyeha.”
Zagloba boasts that he would have defeated Karl Gustav long ago if he hadn't modestly given command to Sapyeha.
Zagloba's drunken arrogance and claim to military prowess.
“I am a rascal if by tomorrow I do not take half the army from Tykotsin and lead it to Chenstohova.”
Zagloba swears he will take half the army to relieve Chenstohova by the next day.
Zagloba's threat to disrupt the siege and march to Chenstohova.
“From the years of a stripling I have served the country; I have not put the sabre out of my hand! I have neither cottage, wife, nor children; my head is as lone as a lance-point.”
Volodyovski laments his lifelong service to the country, with no home or family to show for it.
Volodyovski's emotional outburst about his sacrifices.
“You might sit on her shoulder, like a canary-bird, and peck sugar out of her mouth.”
Zagloba teases Volodyovski that he is too small to be a match for the tall Olenka Billevich.
Zagloba's humorous mockery of Volodyovski's stature in relation to Olenka.
