Image of Ivanhoe in the novel by Walter Scott

The contribution of Sir Walter Scott to the creation of the historical novel can not be overestimated. His works of a hundred and fifty years were read by more than one generation of readers. "Ivanhoe" is one of the most interesting things written by this author.

Historical background of the novel

The Normans conquered about 150 years ago the original Saxon lands in just one battle. The novel takes place in the XII century against the background of the struggle of the two brothers for the throne. This is the legitimate King Richard I and his brother John, who, in fact, wants to usurp power in the kingdom. The Plantagenet dynasty was firmly established on the island and displaced its native inhabitants to the worst lands. The Saxon nobility dreams of regaining its former position. And the country is in three opposing camps. This is the alignment of forces at the beginning of the novel, where the main image should be Ivanhoe, created by the imagination of the writer. The plot of the novel begins with the return of Ivanhoe to his homeland, where he does not know what awaits him.

Characteristics of the image of Ivanhoe

Wilfred Ivanhoe is stripped of his legacy by his father Cedric, but deeply in love with his ward Rowena, whom Cedric prepares for a higher fate than marriage with his son. Ivanhoe is a Saxon knight who is loyal to Richard I, the King of England, a representative of the Plantagenet dynasty that came from France. From his suzerain he got the desire to follow the courtly laws of honor. Valor, courage, loyalty for him is not an empty phrase. This is the characteristic of the image of Ivanhoe in general. Participating in the crusades of Richard, he won great fame as a true defender of faith and Christianity. There he covers himself with glory, but also evokes the hatred of the knight Boisguilbert, whom he defeated in the tournament in Palestine. This is one of the parties, which characterizes the image of Ivanhoe. He is the ideal embodiment of the knightly code of honor and heroism. For him, Richard Lionheart serves as an example. A brave knight spent a long time fighting for the Holy Land. He is not a youth, but a true noble husband who will not act in a temper, such is the image of Ivanhoe before the reader. During the two-day tournament in Ashby, he was seriously injured, but, having collected all the strength and endurance, brought the tournament to victory. And then Ivanhoe, not having recovered to the end, will go to defend the honor of the Jewish girl Rebekah. This is another facet that is part of the image of Ivanhoe. To his king, whose valor and courage are impeccable, the knight treats with a great deal of criticism because of his love affairs. The very same hero of the novel is a monogamy, and he is not subject to any temptations. The image of Ivanhoe in the novel by Walter Scott is written quite monotonously. This character is positive, and it's hard enough to draw brightly.

Brian de Boisguillebert

This is the knight of the Order of the Knights Templar. Knights Templars are representatives of a powerful international military religious organization that supposedly devoted itself to the conquest of the Holy Land. But in reality they often interfere in European politics. Brian de Boisguillebert is a formidable fighter who has endured many trials, dangers and violent passions. He is stern and looks ominous. He does not recognize morality. He indulges his passions and temptations. So, knowing that a wealthy Jew Isaac is going to go to Sheffield, the knight does not shun the mere attack on him for the purpose of robbery. Greed, lascivious attitude towards women, far from the lofty courtly representations of that time, characterize this character. He does not hesitate to kidnap the daughter of the old Isaac, Rebecca, and seek his captive love. However, with the course of the novel, his image undergoes romantic changes due to his love for Rebekah. He, realizing that the girl did not respond to his feelings, lost interest in life and died in a duel with Ivanhoe, but made his death conscious. This is the image of the knight of the Order of the Temple in the novel of Ivan Walter Scott. He is opposed to the protagonist, but very interesting and bright.

Lady Rowena

It is difficult to analyze the image of the blond lady Rovena, because in the novel he is given a hint and without development. We learn a lot about her surroundings, and we can only judge her by herself indirectly. From the text we learn that it is fair and beautiful. Still it is informed, that the girl is a being "soft, kind, gentle" though owing to the education she very proud and serious. Lady Rowena serves only as a pawn in the hands of men who try to manipulate it. So, Maurice de Brasi immediately wanted to marry her when he found out what her dowry was. Cedric wants to be bound by her marriage to Athelstane, so that they can give birth to a new strong royal Saxon generation. And no one cares about the feelings of Lady Rowena herself. She is not perceived by men as a person with her own desires. Even Ivanhoe regards it as an object. When he returns to his homeland, he is not in a hurry to please Lady Rowena with his appearance, but keeps everything from her in deep secrecy. Winning the tournament, Ivanhoe calls Rowena the queen of love and beauty, although she might prefer a simple warm welcome.

Even when, at the end of the novel, Ivanhoe finally reaches out to Cedric for a wedding, it turns out that the reader did not even see Ivanhoe care for his bride. One can only assume that there was a time for courtship, and Rowena had a feeling of love for Ivanhoe. This young man is a medieval romantic knight, and he needs a beautiful lady to express courtly love and fight for it. This makes Rowena a kind of pawn for the writer himself, to support the love affair, so he does not attract the interest, love and sympathy of the readership to it. Positive image of the writer was not a success. He is too sketchy.

Rebekah

It's not entirely fair to compare Rebekah and Rowena, because in the novel they play different roles. If the reader knows about Rowena and Ivanhoe's love as a fait accompli and sees no intrigue in it, then Rebekah's relationship to Ivanhoe is given in development. The love of a beautiful black-haired Jewess does not find a response in the soul of the protagonist. Rebekah is a proud, brave, courageous and free man, since she does not belong to the highest nobility. She is a person despised because of her nationality. But the beautiful Jewish woman is almost always confident in herself. And whenever she is under threat of violence, she is arguing with the Templar. Rebekah has the opportunity to choose his own destiny - to die with dignity at the Temple of the Templars or to go to Spain and devote himself to work in the hospital. In the final scene, she gives Rowena a casket with jewels and rejects the offer to convert to Christianity and stay in England.

Such are the main female images in Walter Scott's novel "Ivanhoe".

Conclusion

This novel immediately after its writing was read by the most famous writers of all countries, not to mention the mass reader. Then he passed into the category of children's literature. But the novel is unlikely to interest the modern child. This colorfully described epoch of the early Middle Ages can arouse the interest of an adult thoughtful person who knows the history and is prone to analysis.