"The Eve of St. John" by Walter Scott is a ballad about a knight (The Baron) who, upon returning home from battle, discovers that his wife has had an affair with another knight - one who is buried beneath a tree and has long been dead. At the end of the poem, the Baron's wife inquires the ghostly knight about how his presence in the human world is possible in asking, "How, Richard, hast thou sped? And art thou saved, or art thou lost?"
The ghostly/demonic/undead knight replies, chillingly, "Who spilleth life, shall forfeit life; / so bid thy Lord believe: / And lawless love is guilt above; / This awful sign receive." and he goes forth to burn four finger marks on her wrist.
This is an interesting take on the archetype of knights and the glory of battle. Typically, knights are written as being noble and their battles are heroic despite the body count. The Baron is one of these knights - his armor is worn and his weapons are bloody from the battle he just returned from. As the reader, one wishes him to find justice for his wife's infidelity considering the courageous and dangerous circumstances he has endured while away. At the end of the ballad, though, we are told by the undead knight that he cannot be saved from the flames of hell because of the blood he has spilled and must "forfeit life". The final stanza reveals that the Baron is now a monk who does not speak to anyone and lives in solitude.
Similarly, his wife is now a nun who does not speak either. Her infidelity, according to the undead knight, is even worse than her husband's murderous actions and she, too, must forfeit life.
This was a great summary/interpretation of the poem. But I viewed it as more a take on Scottish nationalism, which we discussed in class. I would have to say that my favorite part was the burn upon the Lady's wrist; there's so much room for interpretation in that. Whether it deals in a religious context, national context, or just plain shame in regard to her infidelity.
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