The work of the Scottish writer, who worked in the early nineteenth century, is interesting to us today because Walter Scott improved the genre of historical novel. Before him, in English literature there was a so-called "Gothic" novel and "antique". But the former, from Scott's point of view, was too full of mysticism, and the language of the latter was complex and incomprehensible to the modern reader.
After a long search, he created an improved structure of the novel on a historical theme. The writer redistributed facts and fiction so that it became clear that no one, even the most influential historical figure, can stop the eternal course of history.
Of all the novels that Walter Scott created, Ivanhoe is the most famous. Following Shakespeare, the writer fundamentally departed from his historical chronicles. The real personalities in his novels are more likely to serve as the background, and in the foreground of the events are fictional characters whose fate is affected by the change of historical eras.
Walter Scott Aivengo (analysis)
A bright segment of the history of England depicted in the novel by Walter Scott. “Aivengo” is a work about the beginning of feudalism. Created by Scott "Ivanhoe" in 1820. Events mark the end of a long and bloody struggle between the Normans and Saxons (12th century). The historical background is the struggle for power during the reign of Richard the First (Lionheart) - a historical person.
Knight Wilfred and Lady Raven are the main, but fictional characters created by Walter Scott. Aivengo is a close interweaving of love and political intrigue. The well-being of lovers is completely dependent on how historical events develop.
In support of the structure of the historical novel that Walter Scott created, Ivanhoe acts against the backdrop of colorful historical events, speaking on the side of King Richard. The hero is characterized by devotion, a code of honor at the heart of all actions. Nothing can prevent him from behaving in accordance with a sense of duty and being faithful to his lady of the heart.
Keeping incognito under the pilgrim's cloak, the knight Wilfred Aivengo is the only one who felt sorry for poor Isaac, a Jewish loan shark. He gave him a place by the fire; interceded for the honor of the heir Cedric Sachs (that is, for his own honor, but anonymously). Then he called to battle Boisguillebert, the invincible knight of the Temple; saved the same Isaac from robbery and death; won several times in the lists; fought with king Richard; participated in the Crusade; saved the honor and life of the beautiful Rebekah (daughter of Isaac). Throughout the whole narrative, has Avengo never changed the chivalrous concept of honor.
The novel is built on an exciting guessing of the secrets that arise during the plot (the secret of the heir to Cedric Sachs and the pilgrim, the Knight, Deprived of Inheritance, the Black Knight). In addition, the work combines intrigue, vivid spectacles and philosophical interpretation of events.
In addition to Aivengo, there is another true knight in the plot, this time he is a historical figure. Of course, this is King Richard, who in the novel is most interested in the life of a wandering hero. For him, the glory that he gains on his own with his own hand and sword, and not victory at the head of a large army, is more important. Of course, the author understood that he created a romantic image, and he far from corresponds to historical reality. But the scope of the design of the work required just such an interpretation of the image.
As for the philosophical understanding of the problems, at the wedding of a couple in love (Aivengo and Lady Rowena), relatives of the two warring parties - noble Saxons and Normans - gradually realize that peace negotiations could become more successful than unreliable success in an intertribal war. As a result, the union of the two tribes gave their peoples years of peace and prosperity. As far as we all know, these tribes have merged so much that today they have lost all sorts of differences.
Although knightly times are long gone, Walter Scott’s novels are still interesting to the modern reader. They are loved for their lively intrigue, romantic adventurism and vivid, lively images of heroes that have entered the world classics.