Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
XXI: The Sangreal (Continued) explained
Sir Launcelot returns to Camelot after a failed attempt to enter the chamber of the Sangreal, where he is struck down by a divine breath and lies unconscious for twenty-four days.
What happens
Sir Launcelot returns to Camelot after a failed attempt to enter the chamber of the Sangreal, where he is struck down by a divine breath and lies unconscious for twenty-four days. Sir Galahad, with Sir Perceval and Sir Bohort, sails to the city of Sarras, where Galahad is made king and the Sangreal is enshrined. Sir Bohort faces a moral dilemma between rescuing his brother Sir Lionel and aiding a distressed maiden, choosing the latter, and later mourns what he believes is Lionel's death.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional peak of Tristram’s brief reunion with…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Heroism and the Quest
The knights pursue the Sangreal, facing moral tests and divine encounters; Launcelot's failure and Galahad's success highlight the quest's spiritual nature.
- Fate and Free Will
Bohort's choice between rescuing his brother and aiding a maiden demonstrates the tension between personal loyalty and chivalric duty, guided by divine will.
- Mortality and Immortality
Galahad's prayer for death and the promise of eternal life reflect the Christian theme of earthly mortality versus spiritual immortality.
Characters to notice
- Sir Launcelot
Returns to Camelot after failing to enter the Sangreal chamber; lies unconscious for twenty-four days and later recounts his adventures to King Arthur.
- Sir Galahad
Rescues Perceval, joins Bohort and Perceval on a ship, arrives at Sarras, and is chosen as king after healing a crippled man.
- Sir Bohort
Chooses to rescue a maiden over his brother Sir Lionel, later mourns what he believes is Lionel's death, and is counseled by a religious man.
- Sir Perceval
Rescued by Galahad from twenty knights, joins the ship to Sarras, and helps carry the silver table.
- Sir Lionel
Beaten and bound by two knights while naked; Sir Bohort sees him but chooses to aid a maiden instead.
- King Arthur
Found at Camelot by Launcelot after many knights of the Round Table have been slain.
Key passages
“Then Sir Launcelot kneeled down before the chamber, for well he wist that there was the Sangreal in that chamber. Then said he, 'Fair, sweet Lord, if ever I did anything that pleased thee, for thy pity show me something of that which I seek.'”
Launcelot knelt before the chamber, knowing the Holy Grail was inside, and prayed to God to grant him a glimpse of it.
Launcelot's humble plea before the Grail chamber, leading to his partial vision and subsequent punishment.
“Then Sir Bohort prepared to rescue his brother. But he looked on the other side of him, and saw a knight dragging along a fair gentlewoman, who cried out, 'Saint Mary! succor your maid!'”
Bohort was about to save his brother Lionel when he saw a knight abducting a woman who cried for help.
Bohort's moral dilemma between family loyalty and chivalric duty.
“And a voice said to him, 'Galahad, thou shalt have thy request; and when thou askest the death of they body, thou shalt have it, and then shalt thou find the life of thy soul.'”
A voice promised Galahad that he would be granted death when he asked for it, leading to eternal life.
Divine assurance of Galahad's spiritual reward and martyrdom.
