English 12B Unit 4

But Ivanhoe was like the war-horse of that sublime passage, glowing with impatience at his inactivity, and with his ardent desire to mingle in the affray of which these sounds were the introduction. "If I could but drag myself," he said, "to yonder window, that I might see how this brave game is like to go—If I had but bow to shoot a shaft, or battle-axe to strike were it but a single blow for our deliverance!—It is in vain—it is in vain—I am alike nerveless and weaponless!" "Fret not thyself, noble knight," answered Rebecca, "the sounds have ceased of a sudden—it may be they join not battle." "Thou knowest nought of it," said Wilfred, impatiently; "this dead pause only shows that the men are at their posts on the walls, and expecting an instant attack; what we have heard was but the instant muttering of the storm—it will burst anon in all its fury.—Could I but reach yonder window!"

The impatient and anxious tone reveals that Ivanhoe would much rather die in battle than be injured and imprisoned in the castle.

Read the excerpt from Ivanhoe. "By the soul of Hereward!" replied the knight impatiently, "thou speakest, maiden, of thou knowest not what. Thou wouldst quench the pure light of chivalry, which alone distinguishes the noble from the base, the gentle knight from the churl and the savage; which rates our life far, far beneath the pitch of our honor; raises us victorious over pain, toil, and suffering, and teaches us to fear no evil but disgrace. Thou art no Christian, Rebecca; and to thee are unknown those high feelings which swell the bosom of a noble maiden when her lover hath done some deed of emprise which sanctions his flame."

His words reveal his feelings that Rebecca could never understand the importance of nobility, honor, and glory because she is not a Christian.

How is the mother figure and protector archetype portrayed in the development of Rebecca?

Rebecca exhibits a nurturing nature by caring for Ivanhoe and treating his injuries.

Which excerpts from Ivanhoe reveal Ivanhoe's belief that glory is probably the most important achievement of man, regardless of its cost? (Select all that apply.)

"Rebecca," he replied, "thou knowest not how impossible it is for one trained to actions of chivalry to remain passive as a priest ... . The love of battle is the food upon which we live—the dust of the 'melee' is the breath of our nostrils! We live not—we wish not to live—longer than while we are victorious and renowned—Such, maiden, are the laws of chivalry to which we are sworn, and to which we offer all that we hold dear." "Chivalry!—why, maiden, she is the nurse of pure and high affection—the stay of the oppressed, the redresser of grievances, the curb of the power of the tyrant—Nobility were but an empty name without her, and liberty finds the best protection in her lance and her sword."

Which excerpt from Ivanhoe communicates a hopeful tone and shows Wilfred of Ivanhoe's confidence that the castle will be seized by the attacking forces?

"Our friends," said Wilfred, "will surely not abandon an enterprise so gloriously begun and so happily attained.—O no! I will put my faith in the good knight whose axe hath rent heart-of-oak and bars of iron.—Singular," he again muttered to himself ...

Read the paragraph from Ivanhoe. "Rebecca," said Ivanhoe, "thou hast painted a hero; surely they rest but to refresh their force, or to provide the means of crossing the moat—Under such a leader as thou hast spoken this knight to be, there are no craven fears, no cold-blooded delays, no yielding up a gallant emprise; since the difficulties which render it arduous render it also glorious. I swear by the honor of my house—I vow by the name of my bright lady-love, I would endure ten years' captivity to fight one day by that good knight's side in such a quarrel as this!"

The group began the arduous climb up the rock face, which would require some difficult maneuvers and would take many hours to complete.

Read the excerpt from Ivanhoe. But, confident in their armor of proof, and in the cover which their situation afforded, the followers of Front-de-Boeuf, and his allies, showed an obstinacy in defense proportioned to the fury of the attack and replied with the discharge of their large cross-bows, as well as with their long-bows, slings, and other missile weapons, to the close and continued shower of arrows; and, as the assailants were necessarily but indifferently protected, did considerably more damage than they received at their hand.

Determination

How does the setting of Ivanhoe's prison chamber help develop the interaction between Rebecca and Ivanhoe?

Forces Rebecca to describe the battle outside the castle, since Ivanhoe is wounded and unable to stand to watch the battle for himself.

Through her words, Rebecca conveys how Ivanhoe despises her. Why does Ivanhoe treat Rebecca so badly, causing her to compare herself to a "war-horse" and a "hunting hound"?

Because of Rebecca's religious background, Ivanhoe feels that she, being Jewish, is far less a person than himself, being Christian.

Which excerpts from Ivanhoe show Rebecca's conflicted thoughts and feelings about her love for Ivanhoe? (Select all that apply.)

"He names not the Jew or Jewess," said Rebecca internally; "yet what is our portion in him, and how justly am I punished by Heaven for letting my thoughts dwell upon him!"

This excerpt reveals Rebecca's outlook on the nature of killing for a cause by showing she believes that ___________.

... no just cause that warrants war.

Ivanhoes view of Black Knights actions

"By Saint John of Acre," said Ivanhoe, raising himself joyfully on his couch, "methought there was but one man in England that might do such a deed!" "I swear by the honor of my house—I vow by the name of my bright lady-love, I would endure ten years' captivity to fight one day by that good knight's side in such a quarrel as this!"

In the excerpt from Ivanhoe, Ivanhoe conveys to Rebecca his beliefs about the meaning of chivalry and glory in battle. Which option most appropriately describes Rebecca's response to these ideas?

She contends that his ideas are only reasons for bloodshed and violence and that knighthood is meaningless.

What is Rebecca trying to convey to Ivanhoe when she says, "How couldst thou hope to inflict wounds on others, ere that be healed which thou thyself hast received?"

shouldn't want to injure others when he is wounded

A theme in Chapter 29 of Ivanhoe is that love is powerful and sometimes one must suffer for or agonize over love.

Rebecca fights her love because it will never be reciprocated.