Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Walter Scott's Ivanhoe. Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.
Ivanhoe: Introduction
Ivanhoe: Plot Summary
Ivanhoe: Detailed Summary & Analysis
Ivanhoe: Themes
Ivanhoe: Quotes
Ivanhoe: Characters
Ivanhoe: Symbols
Ivanhoe: Literary Devices
Ivanhoe: Theme Wheel
Brief Biography of Walter Scott
Historical Context of Ivanhoe
Other Books Related to Ivanhoe
- Full Title: Ivanhoe: A Romance
- When Written: 1819
- Where Written: Edinburgh, Scotland
- When Published: 1820
- Literary Period: Romanticism
- Genre: Novel, Historical Fiction
- Setting: England in 1194
- Climax: Ivanhoe defeats Sir Brian in judicial combat, thus saving Rebecca from being burned at the stake, and Richard reveals himself and reclaims the English throne.
- Antagonist: Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Prince John, Lucas de Beaumanoir
- Point of View: Third Person
Extra Credit for Ivanhoe
Masked Writer. Although he published his poetry under his own name, Walter Scott published his early novels, including Ivanhoe, under a pen name. This was in part because historical fiction was considered a second-rate genre at the time. Although many people guessed the true identity of “Lawrence Templeton,” Scott did not acknowledge his authorship of any of his incredibly popular works publicly until 1827.
Jilted. Perhaps the reason why Walter Scott’s jilted and unlucky lovers still resonate with readers today lies in his own personal experience. In his early 20s he fell in love with Williamina Belsches, a young woman of a much higher social class than himself. Although she and her parents tacitly allowed him to continue courting her for several years, she abruptly jilted Scott and married a much wealthier young man.