Bulfinch’s Mythology · Character

Sir Palamedes

Saracen knight of the Round Table, rival of Tristram for Isoude's love.

minor

Also known as Palamedes, XVI Sir Palamedes

Sir Palamedes shows up with force in Adventures of Aeneas—The Harpies—Dido—Palinurus. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Mentioned as Palinurus, the faithful steersman of Aeneas who is tricked by Somnus and falls overboard while still clutching the helm.

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In Adventures of Aeneas—The Harpies—Dido—Palinurus: Mentioned as Palinurus, the faithful steersman of Aeneas who is tricked by Somnus and falls overboard while still clutching the helm. Later, in XXXII: The Infernal…

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Character Web

16 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Arthurian and Romance Knights
Protagonist
Greek and Trojan Heroes

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

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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Sir Palamedes appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Adventures of Aeneas—The Harpies—Dido—Palinurus
Mentioned as Palinurus, the faithful steersman of Aeneas who is tricked by Somnus and falls overboard while still clutching the helm.
XXXII: The Infernal Regions—The Sibyl
Aeneas beholds his pilot Palinurus, who fell overboard and was drowned, and speaks with him about his misfortune.
The Infernal Regions
Palinurus, Aeneas's pilot, is encountered among the unburied souls; the Sibyl consoles him with a prophecy about his burial and the naming of Cape Palinurus.
XII: Tristram and Isoude
Saracen knight who loves Isoude, wins her by a harp trick but loses her to Tristram's rote.
XIV: Sir Tristram’s Battle with Sir Launcelot
Rescued by Tristram from nine knights, then challenged to a duel but fails to appear at the appointed meeting.
XVI: Sir Palamedes
Fights Tristram, refuses to slay an unarmed knight, is defeated, asks forgiveness, and is baptized.

Chapter companion notes

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