A Crucible of Torment

             Throughout this portion of “The Knight of the Cart” the heroes are repeatedly mocked and tormented for various reasons. Some are blunt with their demeaning language towards them, while others more subtly hint that they are not strong, smart or worthy enough to continue along their quest.

             This first appears when the knight mocks the king and his knights that they are powerless to retrieve the mass of prisoners he is holding, “I tell you the news not because I intend to return them to you. On the contrary, I simply wish to inform you and serve notice that you don’t have the force or wealth to free them” (The Knight of the Cart, 171), to which the king seems to agree. This then persists as the knight is shamed for riding in a cart through the city, with all manor of jeers shouted towards him (The Knight of the Cart, 175). The knight then meets a woman who forces him to be with her despite any objections he made, followed by her using her own knights to stage an assault on herself (?) in order to test him (The Knight of the Cart, 184). He is then further attacked by knights claiming that he is not worthy to ride alongside the woman, “An escort so wretched indeed that I shall take you away now” (The Knight of the Cart, 189).

            Through all of this they persist, continuing along their quest despite the various demoralizing words and actions of those who opposed them, staying true to their morals and honor.