Sir Walter Scott's Use of Dialogue in Ivanhoe

The novel Ivanhoe is one about chivalry, love and the conflicts between Normans and Saxons and Gentiles and Jews. It is set during the period when Prince John ruled in the stead of Richard, who was being held captive far away. The tale basically combines the dispute of the brothers and their nobles and the legend of Robin of Locksley, or Robin Hood--but it also throws in a set of other characters with problems of their own.

The author of Ivanhoe, Sir Walter Scott, uses dialogue a lot in his tale, and it aids him greatly in describing the setting. The old-fashioned English dialects not only create the mood, but sustain it all through the story. The reader is constantly reminded where he is through the beautiful Shakespearian English.

The speech of the characters not only creates the setting; it also helps accentuate the plot. It especially highlights the differences between the 'rustic' Saxons and the noble Normans. One speech is crude, but efficient, the other is flowing and wordy. In the Norman dialect, the use of many French expressions helps both the plot and setting in reminding the reader how out-of-place the Normans are. The setting can actually be seen anytime anyone saying anything -- if you hear Norman, you're with Prince John or a noble at a castle, manor or joust. If you hear Saxon, you're definitely with the rustics -- probably somewhere in the countryside. When Cedric the Saxon attends Prince John's feast, his rustic dialect really sets him apart -- some of the Normans even comment on it.

The dialogue is basically a major part of the book: what would Shakespeare be if you read it in 20th century English? It adds both flavor to the setting and more contrast to the plot.