Could you please tell us a bit about sir dagonet? Like his past, lover, and role in the round table? I’d love to hear more about him!!
Hi! I'd love to tell you about Sir Dagonet!
TL;DR: Dagonet's characterization varies wildly. He originated from the Vulgate where he began as a cowardly and foolish knight who teases Gawain openly at court without repercussion, eventually shown on adventure when he inadvertently rescues Lancelot by taking him prisoner whilst he sleeps in the saddle. In later Medieval literature, he was imagined as a true jester, an entertainer turned knight. Sometimes he's silly and fun-loving, while craven, and other times he's very serious and proves himself a formidable fighter. This extreme variance in character has continued into the modern age both for screen appearances as well as modern literature.
As always, I will adopt the regional spelling of the characters' names as they appear in each piece of media.
Let's start at the beginning. His first appearance comes from The Story of Merlin where Danguenes the Craven of Caerleon is present for one scene.
Some time later in Lancelot I, Daguenet the Fool manages to apprehend Lancelot whilst he's disassociating and bring him as a prisoner to Queen Guenevere.
Now here's where things get weird. The character takes on several new roles in subsequent Medieval French literature, none of which have ever been translated to English (in full). I do however have them in French and will attach the summaries/scenes here anyway to source what I tell you. Some are in Old French, which are much harder for me to parse, but I'll do my best. Take it with a grain of salt.
In Les Prophesies de Merlin, King Arthur leaves Daguenet le Fou in charge at court. After Dasguenet kills the treasurer, he and Sagramor drain the kingdom's treasury. However when Arthur returns, he forgives Daguenet as the money was spent in the name of defending Christianity. Daguenet is also mentioned in one of Merlin's prophecies and later proves himself an asset in battle.
Here there are a few different versions of the Prose Tristan to contend with. In the version I have, Daguenet/Daguenés li fox cevaliers de la maison le roi Artu gets his own chapters and is officiated as Artu's court Fool. He happens upon Tristran, currently in a fit of madness, who overwhelms Daguenet and his squires. Tristran steals Daguenet's sword, dismembers one of the squires, and repeatedly dunks Daguenet in a fountain. When at last Daguenet is able to escape, he flees to Tintagel.
Following that, Roman de Palamède retold story elements from the Prose Tristan and Daguenet le Fou de roi Arthur. He retains his foolish nature from prior texts and is here paired against Brunor la Suit in a joust to humiliate Brunor. The episode with Tristan at the fountain is recounted here as well. Several other knights make mention of Daguenet's character including Gifflet son of Do who says they can use Daguenet's fearless aggression against anyone if they play their cards right. It's also stated that when Arthur's court is otherwise deserted, the fool Daguenet remains.
In volume VII of Guion le Courteois, Daguenet le Fol, he's lost his mind after the loss of his beloved.
After this comes the big break for Sir Dagonet, King Arthur's Fool, in Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory. Here the events of prior stories are loosely adapted. This includes Kay inciting the joust with Brunor La Cote Mal Taille, Tristram dunking Dagonet and his squires in the well (followed by Dagonet beating the shepherds who laughed at them for it, then Tristram beheading one of the squires in turn), as well as Dagonet's encounter with King Mark briefly touched on in some of the French texts. Here Dagonet is included in a group of knights; Grifflet, Mordred, and Dinadan, later joined by Uwain and Brandisles. They're intent on pranking Mark. As Mark doesn't recognize Mordred's armor, but Mordred is still nursing an injury, the group ultimately dresses Dagonet in Mordred's armor and shield and passes him off as Lancelot. Mark flees in fear for his life to everyone else's enjoyment. It's also indicated the knights take great care to protect Dagonet as he is beloved by King Arthur and was knighted by him.
Then we reach the modern era! The most famous appearance of Sir Dagonet, alternatively referred to as little Dagonet and Sir Fool, would be from Idylls of the King by Alfred Lord Tennyson. He's very special here as the only one who can foresee the doom of Camelot before it happens, and remains as Arthur's last and most loyal follower by the end.
After that, Dagonet continues to pop up in a number of retellings with a vast range of roles. (I won't be including abridged/adapted tales of Le Morte d'Arthur, only original stories.) These include:
The Fortunate Island by Max Adeler: Sir Dagonet is mentioned as a knight in love with Ysolt. It's said he has "great riches" and is "very powerful" Ysolt's father won't let him marry her, however, because he's "a bad and dangerous man."
Post-Laureate Idyls & Other Poems by Oscar Fay Adams: "Little" Sir Dagonet is depicted as Percivale's "brother fool." He makes mockery of those who struggle on the quest for the Holy Grail.
King Arthur by J. Comyns Carr: Sir Dagonet appears to be Guinevere's fool. After an encounter with a lady, he returns to Guinevere in order to avoid the lady, where he describes himself as "Troubled with a most constant heart that goes not without love!"
The Story of the Champions of the Round Table by Howard Pyle: Sir Dagonet is adapted in the story of Tristram where he is attacked. He's described as having a cockerel shield.
The Song of Dagonet/Two Fools by Ernest Rhys: Two very short lays which depict Dagonet as a less than stellar fighter.
Guenevere; A Play in Five Acts by Stark Young: A rare version of Dagonet as Guenevere's page rather than one of the oldest knights. He looks up to and admires Launcelot, hoping to be a knight like him someday so he too can defend Guenevere. He sings several songs throughout the play.
A Lady of King Arthur’s Court by Sara Hawk Sterling: Dagonet once again the court fool, evidentially loyal to both Guenever and her secrets as well as his "Uncle Arthur," and proves bold enough to tease even "Uncle Merlin." He accompanies the main characters on their journey until the fall of Camelot.
The Birth of Galahad by Richard Hovey: A play in which Guenevere is the mother of Galahad but will give birth while the men are away at war and pass the baby off as that of her friend Elaine and her late husband. Dagonet and Brisen are their respective confidants and banter about the logistics behind keeping the secret.
A Forgotten Idyll by W. B. Scofield: Old man Dagonet reminds everyone what chivalry looks like.
Merlin by Edwin Arlington Robinson: Dagonet is a wise and tragic figure, both loyal to and afraid of Arthur. He can see the end before it's coming and is unable to prevent it.
Launcelot & Guenevere by Richard Hovey: An interesting and macabre Dagonet who is both Guenevere's fool and confidant regarding her affair with Launcelot. Dagonet is for Guenevere what Bors is for Launcelot. Dagonet alone is able to call attention to Guenvere's unhappiness without punishment.
Queen of The Summer Stars/Guinevere: The Legend in Autumn by Persia Woolley: Books 2 and 3 of a trilogy I don't really recommend. But Dagonet is a real renaissance man here; acrobat, dancer, story teller, singer, pipe-player, and even acts as herald to announce incoming guests. At one point he plans a parade.
Arthur, King of Time and Space by Paul Gadzikowski: A webcomic in which Dagonet appears in a few panels as a jester in motley.
Sleepless Knights by Mark H. Williams: Sir Dagonet with a beard so long he tucks it in his belt.
The Bright Sword by Les Grossman: A post-Camlann story that follows an OC but also delves into the points of view of the remaining knights, including Sir Dagonet. He's an old carny-turned-knight who can juggle knives and prefers to climb trees than joust. He's a melancholic figure battling mental illness. He embarks on the Grail Quest with Constantine and uses slight of hand to rob an angel of their magical blade.
The Camelot Project: A collection of more smaller resources focusing on Sir Dagonet.
Dagonet appears in a handful of films and TV shows, in my opinion the most notable include:
Sword of Lancelot (1963): A British film written, directed, and starring Cornel Wilde. Here Dagonet is a true jester, dressed in motley and rhyming for the king's entertainment. He's a respected member of the Round Table and present during all council meetings to advise Arthur.
King Arthur (2004): An American film written by David Franzoni and directed by Antoine Fuqua. Dagonet is one of Arthur's Sarmatian knights working for the Roman empire. He's stoic and serious, ignoring any playful taunts from his bestie Bors. He adopts an orphaned Pict named Lucan.
Kaamelott (2005-2009): A French TV show created by and starring Alexandre Astier. Sir Dagonet is a knight of the Round Table first introduced when he returns from a trip to Judea and brings silly gifts back for his fellow knights and friends. The entire show is comedic so Dagonet doesn't stand out that much.
And that's everything! I love this character and think he should be utilized even more. :^)
