Poetry · Chapter
LXXIX explained
The speaker recounts playing a game of chess with the Princess, who falls asleep and dreams of Master Hubert.
What happens
The speaker recounts playing a game of chess with the Princess, who falls asleep and dreams of Master Hubert.
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
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the King, overwhelmed by his own confession, reveals Bertha’s…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Dreams and Escape
The Princess falls asleep and dreams, suggesting an escape from waking reality.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“She cried for chess—I play’d a game with her— Castled her king with such a vixen look, It bodes ill to his Majesty”
She demanded a game of chess, and I played with her; I checkmated her king with a fierce expression, which foretells trouble for the king.
The chess game is described with playful menace.
“The Princess fell asleep, and, in her dream, Talk’d of one Master Hubert, deep in her esteem.”
The Princess fell asleep and in her dream spoke of a Master Hubert, whom she held in high regard.
The dream reveals the Princess's admiration for Master Hubert.
