The Tale of Sir Bedivere: Chapter 5 Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The chapter opens in early autumn with King Arthur and Sir Bedivere hunting a deer in the Tamwood, a forest north of Caerleon. The campaigns for Pictland and Scandinavia have ended, and the court is enjoying a rare peace. Arthur and Bedivere become lost, and Arthur jokes about the king's inability to admit uncertainty. While Arthur stalks the deer, a huge knight in bloodred armor appears, kills the deer with an arrow, and rides off with it. Arthur declares this an adventure rather than a hunt.

The narrative then shifts to Bedivere's past. Born without a left hand, he is the son of King Reitheoir of Dyfed. His father tells him God kept his hand because he was too precious, while a priest claims it is a sign that he will do only good. Bedivere privately doubts these explanations. He grows up strong, developing a fighting style that uses a war hammer and a specially made shield.

After Uther Pendragon's death, Britain faces a succession crisis. A sword appears in a stone in St. Paul's churchyard in Londinium, with an inscription declaring that whoever pulls it out is the rightful king. A tournament is announced, and kings from across Britain and beyond gather to try their luck. Bedivere accompanies his father, intending to win the tournament and also hoping to explore his forbidden desires for men.

In Londinium, Bedivere is lured by a man into a courtyard, where children throw rocks from above and the man attempts to rob and kill him. Bedivere, despite being unarmed, kills the man in self-defense, using his bare hand to collapse the thief's trachea and then cutting his throat. The experience leaves him shaken and convinced that his missing hand is a sign of inner corruption.

Later, at the churchyard, a squire named Arthur pulls the sword from the stone. The crowd is skeptical and angry, but the archbishop of Canterbury begins singing a hymn, calming them. Bedivere, seeing Arthur's helplessness and the spark within him, steps forward and kneels, placing his one hand on Arthur's boots. He becomes the first to pledge himself to the new king.

Key Events

Arthur and Bedivere get lost while hunting; a red-armored knight steals their deer, prompting Arthur to call it an adventure.
Bedivere's backstory is revealed: he was born without a left hand, the son of King Reitheoir of Dyfed.
Uther Pendragon dies, leaving no clear heir, and a sword appears in a stone in St. Paul's churchyard.
A tournament is announced, drawing kings from across Britain and beyond.
Bedivere travels to Londinium with his father and brother Lucan.
Bedivere is lured into a courtyard, attacked by children and a thief, and kills the thief in self-defense.
Arthur, a squire, pulls the sword from the stone, to the crowd's disbelief.
The archbishop of Canterbury sings a hymn, calming the crowd.
Bedivere kneels before Arthur and pledges himself, becoming the first to do so.

Character Development

Sir Bedivere is the focus of this chapter. We see him as a young man grappling with his physical difference and his forbidden love for men. His internal conflict is stark: he believes his missing hand marks him as corrupt, and his encounter with the thief reinforces this self-loathing. Yet his decision to kneel before Arthur shows a capacity for devotion and self-sacrifice. He recognizes in Arthur a kindred spirit—someone the world has misunderstood—and chooses to dedicate his life to protecting that spark. This moment transforms him from a lonely, confused youth into a loyal companion.

King Arthur appears as a foundling, a skinny, miserable boy who accidentally pulls the sword from the stone. He is not a heroic figure here but a frightened teenager, overwhelmed by the burden thrust upon him. Bedivere sees him as someone who did not seek power but must carry it anyway. This portrayal humanizes Arthur and sets up the theme of destiny versus choice.

The thief serves as a foil to Bedivere. He preys on what he perceives as weakness, but Bedivere's strength and skill turn the tables. The encounter forces Bedivere to confront his own capacity for violence, which he finds both easy and disturbing.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Unrequited love and forbidden desire: Bedivere's love for Arthur is central, but it is never acted upon. His longing for men is described as a secret, forbidden thing, and his pursuit of it leads to violence and shame.
Physical difference as moral sign: Bedivere's missing hand is interpreted by others as a divine mark, but he sees it as evidence of his inner corruption. The chapter questions whether physical difference truly reflects moral worth.
Divine right of kings: The sword in the stone is a miracle that supposedly settles the succession, but the crowd's skepticism and the rumor of Merlin's manipulation suggest that divine right is fragile and open to interpretation.
The companion's role: Bedivere explicitly states he is never the hero, only the companion. His pledge to Arthur establishes the archetype of the loyal sidekick, willing to sacrifice his own story for the king's.
The burden of destiny: Arthur is chosen by fate, but the chapter shows that this choice is not a blessing but a heavy load. Bedivere's vow to support him underscores the idea that destiny is carried collectively.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is foundational for understanding Sir Bedivere's character and his relationship with Arthur. It explains why Bedivere is so devoted to the king, despite his unrequited love and his own sense of unworthiness. It also recontextualizes the legend of the sword in the stone, presenting it not as a triumphant moment but as a chaotic, almost farcical event that nearly leads to civil war. Bedivere's perspective—as an outsider who sees Arthur's vulnerability—gives readers a unique entry point into the story. The chapter also introduces key themes of kingship, destiny, and the cost of devotion that will likely resonate throughout the rest of the book.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Bedivere decide to pledge himself to Arthur, and what does this reveal about his character?

Bedivere sees Arthur as a kindred spirit—someone the world has misunderstood and burdened with an unwanted destiny. He recognizes a spark in Arthur that he wants to protect. This decision reveals Bedivere's capacity for self-sacrifice and his desire to find meaning through service, even if his own life feels diminished.

How does the chapter challenge the idea of divine right to rule?

The sword in the stone is presented as a miracle, but the crowd's reaction shows that divine right is not self-evident. They suspect trickery, and the rumor of Merlin's manipulation suggests that even miracles can be manufactured. The chapter implies that kingship depends on interpretation and acceptance, not just divine intervention.

What role does Bedivere's missing hand play in his self-perception and his actions?

Bedivere internalizes the idea that his missing hand is a sign of moral corruption, which fuels his shame about his desires and his violence. However, his physical strength and skill with a war hammer show that his difference does not make him weak. His hand becomes a symbol of his perceived unworthiness, but also of his unique identity as a companion rather than a hero.

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