Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Ivanhoe, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Merits of Chivalry
Disguise and Discovery
Inheritance and Displacement
The Vulnerability and Power of Women
History vs. Romance
Summary
Analysis
Albert de Malvoisin, Preceptor of Templestowe and brother of baron Philip de Malvoisin, is just as corrupt and worldly as Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, except he hides it better. Beaumanoir summons Albert and demands to know why he allowed Sir Brian to bring a woman—and a “Jewish sorceress” at that—into the preceptory. Albert knew nothing of Rebecca’s arrival before this moment, but, desperate to assuage Beaumanoir’s rage, he claims that he took Rebecca to protect Sir Brian from defiling himself with her.
Once again, the book claims that everything the corrupt Norman noble class touches falls subject to abuse. Albert de Malvoisin’s deceit magnifies the gravity of his wickedness. And the fact that he needs to protect Sir Brian to protect himself shows part of how Prince John has been able to build a successful Norman coalition despite his personal failings. Any noble (or monk) who faces consequences from the rightful authorities has a vested interest in removing them from power.
Themes
Somewhat comforted by Albert’s claim that Sir Brian hasn’t yet acted on his lust, Beaumanoir considers that Sir Brian may deserve more pity than blame for being led astray by Satan. Mountfitchet adds that it would be a terrible blow for the Order to lose a knight of Sir Brian’s caliber. Beaumanoir muses that executing Rebecca should break her spell and atone for Sir Brian’s sins. He begins to make arrangements to bring her to trial on trumped-up charges.
Although Beaumanoir seems relatively sincere in his insistence on chastity and religious purity, Mountfitchet emphasizes Sir Brian’s importance to advancing Templar plans. His reaction shows how difficult it is to separate worldly and spiritual concerns, especially in groups like the Templars, who have one foot in the church and the other in European politics. And Rebecca remains the helpless and innocent victim at the center of all these conflicts.
Themes
Albert goes to warn Sir Brian about Beaumanoir’s plan; he finds Sir Brian fuming over Rebecca’s latest rejection. Sir Brian curses what he calls the hereditary obstinacy of “her race.” Albert replies that Sir Brian has brought this on himself through his own obstinate insistence on wooing a Jewish damsel instead of a Christian lady. He begins to agree with Beaumanoir’s belief that Rebecca has bewitched Sir Brian. As if to prove the point, Sir Brian begins making plans for her escape as soon as he learns about the impending trial. But Albert coolly points out that Sir Brian can only escape with his honor, position, and life intact by sacrificing Rebecca. Women, he maintains, are “frail baubles” compared to a man’s ambition.
The strength of Sir Brian’s affection for Rebecca begins to strike others as odd, and the Templars begin to believe their own trumped-up charge of witchcraft. In a way, Sir Brian’s continued affection suggests that he embodies the chivalric ideal better than de Bracy, who dropped his courtship of Rowena after just a little bit of pushback from her (and King Richard). But the fact that his insistence borders on obsession and victimizes Rebecca calls into question whether chivalry is a force for good or whether it just disguises evil. Albert’s insistence that Sir Brian coldly abandon Rebecca certainly suggests that he views chivalry as a tool of convenience rather than a true moral code.
Themes
Sir Brian partially reconciles himself to accept the situation, acknowledging that he’s unwilling to risk his rank and honor for Rebecca—especially considering her repeated rejections. But, as Albert leaves to prepare the judgement chamber, Sir Brian muses that he cannot completely abandon Rebecca to her fate. He still loves her.
Faced with a stark choice, Sir Brian’s priorities come into focus. His obsession with Rebecca may not be as powerful as his thirst for power. Even his appeal to chivalric honor has more to do with maintaining his image to the world than with actually having a moral code.
Themes
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Meanwhile, Mountfitchet encourages Albert to find fitting grounds to condemn Rebecca as a witch. Only this, he insists, will assuage Beaumanoir’s anger and allow the Templar Order to move on from the scandal with its power and honor intact. And, he suggests, Beaumanoir will richly reward Albert for his compliance. Albert concludes that he can bribe testimony from some of his brother’s servants who escaped Torquilstone with Sir Brian.
Even in the Templar Order, allegedly committed to upholding both chivalric virtue and Christian morality, vice and corruption run rampant. The Order—even its more righteous and less sinful members, like Beaumanoir and Mountfitchet—care more about power and reputation than upholding virtues like justice and truth.
Themes
Shortly after the noontime bells, Mountfitchet and Albert fetch Rebecca from her room to answer for unnamed offenses before the preceptory’s judge. As courageous as ever, Rebecca follows them willingly into an improvised courtroom, where someone in the crowd presses a scrap of paper, unnoticed, into her hand as she passes.
The personal and political machinations and deals that the Templars are carrying out all refer to Rebecca. Though Rebecca is innocent of the Templars’ sins—and far braver and more upright in her faith than any of them—the Templars nevertheless consign her to bear the burden of their lust, self-protection, political ambitions, and rigid and unmerciful prejudice.
Themes
