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Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter

Elidure explained

After the reigns of Belinus and Brennus, several minor kings ruled before Elidure.

What happens

After the reigns of Belinus and Brennus, several minor kings ruled before Elidure. His brother Arthgallo, the king, was deposed by nobles who placed Elidure on the throne. Five years later, while hunting, Elidure encountered his impoverished brother in the forest, embraced him, and concealed him in the palace. Feigning illness, Elidure persuaded his nobles to allow him to abdicate and restore Arthgallo as king. Arthgallo reigned wisely for ten years, then died, leaving the kingdom to his short-lived sons. Eventually Elidure returned to the throne and ruled justly, earning the name 'the pious.' Wordsworth later adapted the story into a poem.

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional peak of Tristram’s brief reunion with…

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Themes in this chapter

  • Hospitality and Its Violation

    Elidure's compassionate embrace and concealment of his brother contrasts with the nobles' earlier violation of hospitality in deposing Arthgallo.

  • Fate and Free Will

    Elidure's choice to abdicate and restore his brother demonstrates free will overcoming the fate of dynastic conflict.

Characters to notice

  • Elidure

    The pious king who abdicated to restore his deposed brother Arthgallo.

  • Arthgallo

    The deposed brother who was reinstated by Elidure and ruled wisely for ten years.

Key passages

  • “Elidure, at the sight of his brother in distress, forgetting all animosities, ran to him, and embraced him.”

    Seeing his brother's suffering, Elidure set aside past grievances and warmly embraced him.

    Highlights Elidure's forgiveness and compassion.

  • “Elidure took the crown from his own head, and put it on his brother’s head.”

    Elidure removed his own crown and placed it upon his brother's head.

    Symbolic act of selfless abdication and restoration.

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