Poetry · Character

La Belle Dame Sans Mercy

The mysterious fairy woman who lures knights to their doom.

minor

Also known as Mercy, Isabella, Dame, thou, thee

First appearance: Chapter I

La Belle Dame Sans Mercy shows up with force in Woman! When I Behold Thee Flippant, Vain. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Implied as the object of the speaker's admiration, though not directly named; the woman's captivating yet elusive nature echoes this figure.

In the storyWoman! When I Behold Thee Flippant, VainOpen this moment free

La Belle Dame Sans Mercy first appears in 0051 i.

In Woman! When I Behold Thee Flippant, Vain: Implied as the object of the speaker's admiration, though not directly named; the woman's captivating yet elusive nature echoes this figure.

Later, in Song: The Stranger Lighted from His Steed: The lady whose hand and lips are kissed by the stranger, and who goes hand in hand with him into the bower.

See La Belle Dame Sans Mercy in Woman! When I Behold Thee Flippant, Vain Book page

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the King, overwhelmed by his own confession, reveals Bertha’s…

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In the story

La Belle Dame Sans Mercy appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Woman! When I Behold Thee Flippant, Vain
Implied as the object of the speaker's admiration, though not directly named; the woman's captivating yet elusive nature echoes this figure.
Song: The Stranger Lighted from His Steed
The lady whose hand and lips are kissed by the stranger, and who goes hand in hand with him into the bower.
Faery Songs
Implied as the 'lady' or 'Queen' whose dirge is sung and who is dying in the second song.
XL
Implied as the pale beloved whose beauty and paleness inspire the speaker's love.
XXXIII
The lady is disturbed by the ancient ditty played on the lute; she moans and opens her blue, affrayed eyes.
La Belle Dame Sans Merci
The faery woman who captivates the knight with her beauty and song, then leaves him desolate.
Chapter I
Implied as the cause of the wight's ailment, though not directly named in this excerpt.
II
Implied as the cause of the wight's woe, though not directly named.
IV
The beautiful faery-like lady encountered in the meadows.
V
The faery lady who leans and sings on the pacing steed.
VI
The beloved who looks lovingly and makes sweet moan.
VII
The mysterious woman who offers the speaker gifts and declares her love.
VIII
The mysterious woman who leads the speaker to her elfin grot and is kissed to sleep.
La Belle Dame sans Merci
The enchantress who holds the speaker in thrall, as warned by the spectral figures.
XI
Implicitly referenced through the vision of starved lips, suggesting her victims.

Chapter companion notes

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See La Belle Dame Sans Mercy in Chapter I

See La Belle Dame Sans Mercy in Woman! When I Behold Thee Flippant, Vain