The Surprising Adventures of Baron Munchausen · Chapter
The Baron goes to Petersburgh, and converses with the Empress—Persuades the Russians and Turks to cease cutting one another’s throats, and in concert cut a canal across the Isthmus of Suez—The Baron discovers the Alexandrine Library, and meets with Hermes Trismegistus—Besieges Seringapatam, and challenges Tippoo Sahib to single combat—They fight—The Baron receives some wounds to his face, but at last vanquishes the tyrant—The Baron returns to Europe, and raises the hull of the Royal George explained
The Baron travels to Petersburgh to persuade the Empress to support a canal across the Isthmus of Suez, then leads a million Russians and Turks in digging the canal.
What happens
The Baron travels to Petersburgh to persuade the Empress to support a canal across the Isthmus of Suez, then leads a million Russians and Turks in digging the canal. He falls into the Alexandrine Library, meets Hermes Trismegistus and ancient philosophers, and later travels to India to challenge and defeat Tippoo Sahib in single combat. Returning to Europe, he raises the hull of the Royal George using a balloon.
Themes in this chapter
Self-Aggrandizement and Heroism
The Baron boasts of his canal project, his combat with Tippoo Sahib, and his feat of raising the Royal George.
The Marvelous and the Absurd
Falling into the Alexandrine Library, catching cannonballs, and raising a ship with a balloon are absurd and marvelous events.
Satire of Politics and Society
The Baron's manipulation of the Empress and the absurd peace between Russians and Turks satirize political negotiations.
Characters to notice
- Baron Munchausen
Narrator and protagonist; undertakes canal project, discovers library, fights Tippoo Sahib, raises the Royal George.
- Tippoo Sahib
Challenged to single combat by the Baron; fights bravely but is defeated and beheaded.
- Baron de Tott
Mentioned as having left a vestige that the Baron follows.
- Royal George
The sunken ship that the Baron raises using a balloon.
Key passages
“My dear, dear Baron, said she, I accede to everything you please, and agree to make peace with the Porte on the conditions you mention.”
The Empress agrees to the Baron's proposal for peace and the canal.
The Baron persuades the Empress by offering marriage.
“I drove my chariot with all my might in my former track, that vestige mentioned by the Baron de Tott, and when I was advanced considerably, I felt my chariot sinking under me.”
The Baron follows a previous track and falls into the Alexandrine Library.
The Baron discovers the ancient library by accident.
“I challenged him to mortal combat, and, mounted on my steed, rode up to the walls of the fortress amidst a storm of shells and cannonballs.”
The Baron challenges Tippoo Sahib to a duel and rides toward the fortress under heavy fire.
The Baron's bravery in combat is emphasized.
“I returned overland from India to Europe with admirable velocity, so that the account of Tippoo’s defeat by me has not as yet arrived by the ordinary passage.”
The Baron travels so fast that news of his victory has not yet reached Europe.
The Baron's speed is exaggerated for effect.
“I got an immense balloon, made of the toughest sailcloth, and having descended in my diving-bell, and properly secured the hull with enormous cables, I ascended to the surface, and fastened my cables to the balloon.”
The Baron uses a balloon to raise the Royal George from the seabed.
The Baron's inventive method for raising the ship.
