Le Morte Darthur, Chapter 42 summary
Chapter 42 of 503 · 3 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 42, Garnish kills his beloved and her companion, then himself, while Balin flees and reaches a castle that requires him to joust against an island knight. Despite warnings, Balin accepts the challenge and exchanges shields, losing a means of recognition before he prepares to fight.
What happens
- Garnish beheads his beloved and her companion, blames Balin for showing him their betrayal, and kills himself.
- Balin flees because he fears blame, then encounters a warning inscription and an old man who urges him back.
- After the man vanishes, Balin hears a hunting horn and understands himself to be its quarry.
- Ladies and knights welcome Balin into a castle, where the chief lady requires him to fight an island knight.
- Balin accepts a borrowed shield and crosses to the island, where a damsel warns that his own shield could identify him.
- Unwilling to retreat in shame, Balin accepts the danger and prepares himself and his horse.
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What to notice
Balin accepts the danger despite his regret and the damsel's warning. His concern about shame prevents him from retreating.
Quick check
Why does the damsel say Balin should have kept his own shield?
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