Another Source For The Trial of Chivalry

Extract

The principal source of The Trial of Chivalry has been ably discussed by C. R. Baskervill, who shows how the main plot is chiefly a skilful interweaving of two narratives from the Arcadia; namely, the story of Argalus and Parthenia and Demagoras, which corresponds with the Philip-Bellamira-Burbon plot; and the story of Philoxenus, Helen of Corinth, and Amphialus, which corresponds, in part, with the Ferdinand-Katharine-Pembroke plot. Baskervill does not, however, point out that the dramatist (undoubtedly Chettle) uses part of yet another story from Book i of the Arcadia. Ferdinand and Pembroke swoon away after wounding each other in a duel, and are removed separately by. a forester and a fisherman, who restore them to health. Each thinks the other dead. When they meet again, it is to cross swords once more, but happily they “Discouer eche other in fighting” (the helmet of one of them had fallen off), and resume their old friendship. In the Arcadia, Pyrocles and Musidorus, two princes and affectionate friends, being parted by a storm at sea, regard each other as lost. After a series of adventures they, as members of opposing armies, meet in single combat. Pyrocles strikes Musidorus a blow on the head, “and withal the helmet fell off”; they recognize each other and are reunited.