Prince of Thorns
Chapter 20
by Mark, Lawrence,The chapter opens with Prince Jorg and Princess Katherine sharing a meal in the castle kitchens, surrounded by curious servants. The scene is intimate yet performative, as Jorg plays the role of a charming prince, though his thoughts reveal his calculated nature. The arrival of Sir Makin interrupts their moment, bringing news that both Jorg and Katherine are summoned to the throne-room. Makin’s polished appearance and flirtatious interaction with Katherine briefly stirs Jorg’s jealousy, hinting at underlying tensions among the characters. The warmth of the kitchen contrasts sharply with the formality awaiting them in the castle’s upper halls.
As they navigate the bustling castle, the atmosphere shifts to one of grandeur and political maneuvering. The Torrent Vault, lined with the armor of past kings, serves as a symbolic prelude to the throne-room. Makin’s deliberate placement of Jorg ahead of Katherine underscores the prince’s status, though the herald’s omission of Jorg’s name signals a deliberate slight. The throne-room itself is a stark, imposing space, filled with courtiers whose whispered judgments and glittering finery highlight the cutthroat nature of court life. Jorg’s instinct to assess their wealth reflects his lingering road-mentality.
The focus shifts to King Olidan, Jorg’s father, who remains unchanged in demeanor and appearance, draped in the same wolf-skin robe from years past. The new queen, Katherine’s lookalike, sits beside him, her pregnancy hidden beneath an ornate gown. A striking glass tree, possibly her dowry, stands between the thrones, its emerald leaves mirroring Katherine’s eyes. Sageous, the mysterious figure in black robes, observes Jorg with quiet intensity. The scene is laden with unspoken power dynamics, as Jorg’s return disrupts the court’s delicate balance.
The chapter culminates in a tense atmosphere as Jorg and Katherine approach the thrones, hand in hand, under the scrutiny of the court. The perfumed nobles and armed guards create a sensory overload, contrasting with the raw simplicity of Jorg’s life on the road. The presence of a knight in dragon-adorned armor hints at impending conflict. Jorg’s internal monologue reveals his awareness of the high-stakes game he’s re-entering, where old habits clash with new ambitions. The chapter sets the stage for a confrontation, blending personal grudges with political intrigue.
FAQs
1. How does the setting of the kitchen scene contrast with the throne-room scene, and what does this reveal about Jorg’s character?
Answer:
The kitchen scene is intimate and informal, with Jorg enjoying simple pleasures like fresh bread and casual banter with servants, while the throne-room is grand, rigid, and politically charged. This contrast highlights Jorg’s duality—he is both a prince who must navigate courtly expectations and a road-hardened youth who values authenticity. His appreciation for the kitchen’s warmth (“Heaven must smell like fresh bread”) contrasts with his cynical view of courtly pretenses (“the soft hubbub of knife-edged comments”). This reveals his internal conflict between his past experiences and his royal identity.2. Analyze the significance of Makin’s introduction of Katherine as “Princess Katherine Ap Scorron” and the court’s reaction to her.
Answer:
Makin’s formal introduction underscores Katherine’s high status, which surprises him (he “raised a brow”) and signals her importance in the political landscape. The court’s focus on her (“No mention of poor Jorgy”) while ignoring Jorg hints at shifting alliances and his father’s deliberate snub. The guards’ deference to Katherine and the herald’s announcement emphasize her legitimacy, contrasting with Jorg’s marginalization. This dynamic foreshadows power struggles and suggests Jorg must prove himself despite his birthright.3. What symbolic role does the glass tree play in the throne-room, and how does it connect to broader themes in the chapter?
Answer:
The glass tree, with its emerald leaves resembling Katherine’s eyes, symbolizes fragility and artifice amidst power. Its placement between the thrones suggests it may be the Queen’s dowry, tying it to political marriage and transactional relationships. The tree’s unnatural beauty (“wrought all of glass”) mirrors the court’s superficiality, contrasting with the raw honesty of Jorg’s road life. It also reflects Jorg’s fascination with Katherine, as its leaves mirror her gaze, hinting at her potential influence over him.4. How does Jorg’s observation of the courtiers’ wealth (“A new charger on that countess’s fat bosom”) reveal his mindset and the novel’s themes?
Answer:
Jorg’s mental tally of the courtiers’ jewels and finery (“same old game, new stakes”) reveals his lingering thief’s instincts and disdain for extravagance. His road-honed pragmatism clashes with the court’s opulence, emphasizing themes of class disparity and survival. The passage also shows his adaptability—he recognizes the “new stakes” of politics but still evaluates wealth as a resource. This duality underscores his struggle to reconcile his past with his role as prince.5. Evaluate the tension between Jorg and his father in this chapter. What details suggest their strained relationship?
Answer:
The tension is palpable in subtle slights: the herald omitting Jorg’s name (implying his father’s orders), the king’s unchanged appearance (“no change in my father”), and Jorg’s avoidance of looking at the throne initially. The king’s wolf-skin robe, worn since Jorg’s departure, symbolizes stagnation and unresolved conflict. Jorg’s forced smile at Sageous and his father’s indifference to his return suggest deep-seated resentment, framing their relationship as one of mutual distrust and power plays rather than familial bonds.
Quotes
1. “But something about the girl made me want to be the kind of man who would remember.”
This quote reveals Jorg’s internal conflict and the subtle influence Katherine has on him, showing his capacity for change despite his hardened exterior. It marks a pivotal moment where his usual cynicism is momentarily softened by her presence.
2. “Here is the heir to the throne, let him in.”
Makin’s subtle positioning of Jorg before Katherine at the throne-room doors speaks volumes about courtly politics and hierarchy. This small gesture carries significant weight in establishing Jorg’s rightful place after years of absence.
3. “Same old game, new stakes. Not higher, but different.”
Jorg’s realization about the changed nature of his challenges at court encapsulates his adaptation from road warrior to prince. This philosophical observation shows his awareness of shifting power dynamics and his own evolution.
4. “The men that built the Tall Castle lacked nothing in skill, and everything in imagination.”
This vivid description of the throne-room reflects Jorg’s critical perspective on his ancestral home and its symbolic meaning. The architectural metaphor extends to his view of the court’s rigid traditions and lack of creativity.
5. “On the road, shit has the decency to stink.”
Jorg’s crude but insightful comparison between court life and his outlaw existence highlights his discomfort with aristocratic pretense. This memorable line underscores the chapter’s theme of contrasting worlds and Jorg’s outsider perspective.