Shepherds Character Analysis in The Pilgrim’s Progress

The Shepherds tend their flocks in the Delectable Mountains of Immanuel’s Land, overlooking the Celestial City. They show kindness to Christian and Hopeful after the two men escape from Doubting Castle, and they later provide lodging to Christiana, Mercy, and their group. They also warn the pilgrims not to fall asleep on the Enchanted Ground.

Shepherds Quotes in The Pilgrim’s Progress

The The Pilgrim’s Progress quotes below are all either spoken by Shepherds or refer to Shepherds. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

The Burden of Sin and Salvation through Christ Theme Icon

HOPE. […] Sleep is sweet to the labouring man; we may be refreshed if we take a nap.

CHR. Do you not remember that one of the Shepherds bid us beware of the Inchanted Ground? He meant by that, that we should beware of sleeping; wherefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober.

HOPE. […] I see it is true that the Wise man saith, Two are better than one[.]

[…] Now then, said Christian, to prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse.

Related Characters: Christian (speaker), Hopeful (speaker), Shepherds

Page Number and Citation: 141

Explanation and Analysis:

In the Delectable Mountains, the Shepherds warned Christian and Hopeful not to fall asleep in the Enchanted Ground, whose atmosphere lulls unwary visitors. Indeed, as soon as they arrive, Hopeful gets sleepy and starts reasoning with Christian that, after enduring such a long journey, they deserve a nap. Christian, more alert, reminds him of the Shepherds’ warning and says it’s better to remain watchful. With this, Christian doesn’t mean that literal sleep is bad. Sleep and watchfulness symbolize contrasting states in a pilgrim’s life—basically, obliviousness and presumption versus conscious alertness. A “sleepy” pilgrim is susceptible to sin and temptation, while Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis co

Shepherds Character Timeline in The Pilgrim’s Progress

The timeline below shows where the character Shepherds appears in The Pilgrim’s Progress. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...Hopeful arrive at the Delectable Mountains and refresh themselves in the vineyards there. They find Shepherds feeding their flocks. The Shepherds explain that these mountains are in Immanuel’s Land, and that... (full context)

Next the Shepherds show Christian and Hopeful a mountain named Caution. At a distance, they can see men,... (full context)

Then the Shepherds show Christian and Hopeful a byway to Hell in the side of a hill. Many... (full context)

Finally, the Shepherds take Christian and Hopeful to the end of the mountains and offer them a perspective-glass... (full context)

...from the net, then whips them both to chastise them for failing to heed the Shepherds’ warnings and going astray from their path. Then he directs them on the right path.... (full context)

...sleepy and suggests to Christian that they deserve a nap. Christian reminds him of the Shepherds’ warning and recommends that they engage in conversation in order to stay awake. He suggests... (full context)

...others. The group then travels into the Delectable Mountains, where they are welcomed by the Shepherds. Mr. Great-heart says that the Shepherds’ warm welcome of the weak and infirm demonstrates that... (full context)

The next morning, the Shepherds show the guests the same places they’d shown Christian. They also tour some different places,... (full context)

...Mercy (who is pregnant) feels a longing for a certain looking-glass that hangs in the Shepherds’ dining-room. She fears that if she cannot have the looking-glass, she will miscarry. It's a... (full context)

Before the group moves on, the Shepherds send them off with cautions. The group passes the place where Christian was led astray,... (full context)

Shepherds Character Analysis

Shepherds Quotes in The Pilgrim’s Progress

Part 1: The Enchanted Ground Quotes

Shepherds Character Timeline in The Pilgrim’s Progress