The Lady Of The Lake By Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832) Essays

The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832) The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832) Type of Work: Romantic metrical poem Setting Sixteenth-century Scotland Principal Characters James Douglas, outlawed uncle of the Earl of Angus Ellen Douglas, his daughter (The Lady of the Lake) Roderick Dhu, a rebel Highland chief of Clan Alpine, and protector of the Douglas's Allan-bane, the Douglas' minstrel and devoted servant James Fitz-James, a Saxon Lowlander Knight Malcolm Graeme, Ellen's young love Story Overveiw James Fitz-James, a Saxon knight from Stirling Castle, became lost as he hunted in the Highlands. Sounding his horn, he was rescued - not by his comrades, but by Ellen Douglas, who, with her father, lived at Loch Katerine under the protection of her Highlander cousin, Roderick Dhu. Although the men were away, Fitz-James was taken in and extended Highland hospitality. It disturbed Fitz-James that this girl bore such a resemblance to members of the hunted Douglas clan. Nevertheless, he was smitten by Ellen's beauty and kindness and dreamed of her as he slept. On the next morning Fitz-James left the island with a guide. Later, Roderick and Douglas returned home from their separate journeys, Douglas accompanied bv young Malcolm Graeme. Roderick, a fierce, plundering, middle-aged warrior, hoped to i-narry Ellen, both because he loved her and because their marriage would unite Clan Douglas with Clan Alpine to create a powerful political force. Although Ellen appreciated Roderick's protection, she was frightened by his manner and had set her heart on Malcolm Graeme, her first suitor, whom Roderick despised. When Roderick extended his marriage proposal to her in the company of all, Malcolm detected Ellen's deep disquiet, but before he could speak, her father interceded, explaining tactfully that such a union would be a political misalliance; Roderick was a sworn enemy of the King, while he, Douglas, in spite of his outlawed status, still loved his monarch. The great chieftain hated the King and could not understand Douglas' loyalty. Now his disappointment at losing Ellen rose to intensify Roderick's anger. He sent out a terrible signal - a fiery cross summoning his Clan Alpine to war. As the cross was carried over the rocky highlands, all the clansmen rallied to support their chieftain. Roderick now petitioned Brian the Hermit to use his magic to give him an augury for the forthcoming battle. The oracle read: "Which spills the foremost foeman's life that party conquers in the strife." Roderick was reassured, for Clan Alpine had never fought but they were the first to kill a foe. Meanwhile, before setting out for Stirling Castle to give himself up in hopes of averting war, Douglas had conducted his daughter, with the minstrel Allan-bane as her escort, to the safety of a wilderness cave. Ellen knew her father's intentions: , He goes to do what I had done,/ had Douglas' daughter been his son!" There the refugees were found by James Fitz-James, returning to see if he could persuade Ellen to accompany him to Stirling Castle. Ellen was dismayed. Hadn't Fitz-James seen the preparations for war, the hills alive with Roderick's men? No, the Saxon replied. The countryside had appeared quite serene. But this was the surest sign of danger, said Ellen; the wily Roderick's troops must already have him surrounded. She promised to help him escape, though she confessed that her heart belonged to Malcolm Graeme. The knight remained determined to help her save her father, however. He presented her with a ring from the Saxon royalty, saying that it would help her in her journey through Lowland territory and gain her an audience with King James. Fitz-James departed, still following his guide, Red Murdoch. Soon they came upon Blanche, a poor, crazed woman living in the wilds. Long ago, on her wedding day, Clan Alpine had captured her and killed her bridegroom. From his green hunting attire, Blanche recognized Fitz-James as a fellow Lowlander. In a cryptic song she warned him to beware of Murdoch. The knight, acknowledging this warning, drew his sword just as the guide discharged an arrow from his bow. But the shaft missed its true target and felled the poor old woman. After chasing down and slaying the treachtrous Murdoch, Fitz-James returned to dying Blanche, who gave him a broach made of a lock of her dead sweetheart's hair, with the charge to seek out Clan Alpine's Roderick Dhu and avenge her pitiful life. The Saxon set out, stealthily picking his way through the undergrowth. Many hours later he stumbled upon a lone knight from Clan Alpine, bound by the same code of honor as he. The enemies shared food and a campfire,