# Queen Sophonisba in Galing explained — The Worm Ouroboros

> Chapter companion for The Worm Ouroboros by E. R. Eddison.

## What happens

Queen Sophonisba arrives in Demonland to visit Lord Juss at Galing. She is welcomed with honor, but finds the Demonlords melancholy despite their victory over Witchland. Juss shows her his great sword and recounts past battles, but confesses that without worthy enemies, their lives feel empty. The Queen marvels at their discontent and urges them to find peace, but they long for the glory of war again.

## Themes in this chapter

### War and Conquest

The Demonlords, having conquered their enemies, now find themselves hollow and longing for the thrill of battle, as Juss shows his sword and recounts past victories.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Juss's loyalty to his fallen enemies is paradoxical; he mourns their loss and wishes them alive again, showing a deep bond forged in war.

### Pride and Hubris

The Demonlords' pride in their martial prowess leads to discontent in peacetime, as they scorn the idea of fighting 'feeble savages' and yearn for worthy adversaries.

## Character check-ins

### Lord Juss

Hosts Queen Sophonisba in Galing, shows her his sword, and confesses his melancholy and longing for the days of war against Witchland.

### Queen Sophonisba

Arrives in Demonland as a guest, marvels at the beauty of the land, and is perplexed by the Demonlords' sorrow after their victory.

### Brandoch Daha

Present at the feast, watches the company with a demure, humorous expression, and helps break the silences.

### Goldry Bluszco

Sits silent and pensive at the feast, later speaks bitterly about the lack of worthy foes.

### Spitfire

Falls silent at the feast, drums his fingers, and laments the absence of action and great enemies.

### Lady Mevrian

Present at the supper, helps keep the conversation lively.

### Lord Zigg

Attends the feast and breaks the silences with jests.

### Volle

Present at the supper in Lord Juss's private chamber.

## Key lines

> With this sword I went up with Gaslark to the gates of Carcë, four years gone by this summer, being clouded in my mind by the backwash of the sending of Gorice the King.

Juss explains that he used this sword during his expedition with Gaslark to Carcë four years ago, while still affected by King Gorice's magical sending.

_Juss recounts his past exploits with the sword, linking it to key events in the war._

> For better it were we should run hazard again of utter destruction, than thus live out our lives like cattle fattening for the slaughter, or like silly garden plants.

Juss argues that risking total defeat again is preferable to a peaceful but meaningless existence.

_Juss expresses the Demonlords' existential despair after their victory._

> A true saying it is that 'a grave is a rotten foundation.'

Juss states that building a future on the deaths of one's enemies is unstable and unsatisfying.

_Juss reflects on the hollowness of their triumph._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters/xxxiii-queen-sophonisba-in-galing
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_worm_ouroboros_se/chapters