Changes: The Black Cauldron (novel)

Latest revision as of 03:15, 24 April 2020

This page is about the novel. For the "foul pot" itself, see The Black Crochan. For more book covers of The Black Cauldron novel, see Book Editions and Cover Illustrations: Part 1.

The Black Cauldron is the second book in The Chronicles of Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander. It is an epic fantasy, in which the protagonists are embroiled in a grand struggle against evil, supernatural forces. Yet Alexander weaves into its story personal themes of oath-keeping, self-sacrifice, the distinction between honor and honesty, loyalty and friendship, and the consequences of over-reaching power-hunger.

This page contains spoilers. If you do not wish to be spoiled, do not read further.

Brief Synopsis

At a council at Caer Dallben, Prince Gwydion explained to all the kings and war leaders assembled that Arawn Death-Lord was using the Black Cauldron to create more of the Cauldron-Born, deathless warriors. Gwydion's plan was to seize the Cauldron and destroy it. The plan proceeded apace, involving a diversionary military assault, until Doli discovered that the evil pot vanished. One of the Fair Folk disclosed that it had been taken by Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch, and Taran, Eilonwy, Fflewddur and Gurgi set out to find it.

When they reached the Marshes of Morva, the enchantresses agreed to trade the Cauldron for a valuable item. Each protagonist in turn offered his most precious possession, but in the end Taran's desire to win the day compelled him to give up the Brooch of Adaon, an enchanted medallion that imbued him with great insight, in exchange. Yet the Cauldron was a terrible burden, and the only man who could help them lift it was Ellidyr -- a proud and arrogant prince who would claim all the glory of finding the Cauldron for himself.

Chapters

1.The Council at Caer Dallben

2.The Naming of the Tasks

3.Adaon

4.In the Shadow of Dark Gate

5.The Huntsmen of Annuvin

6.Gwystyl

7.Kaw

8.A Stone in the Shoe

9.The Brooch

10.The Marshes of Morva

11.The Cottage

12.Little Dallben

13.The Plan

14.The Price

15.The Black Crochan

16.The River

17.The Choice

18.The Loss

19.The War Lord

20.The Final Price

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+[[File:BlackCauldron7.jpg|left|237px]][[File:BlackCauldron1stEdition.jpg|right|247px]]
-[[File:Black_Cauldron3.jpg|thumb|212px|right|The 1980s Dell Laurel-Leaf cover.]] [[File:The_Black_Cauldron.jpg|thumb||210 px|left|The 2000s digital painting cover.]]'''''The Black Cauldron''''' is the second book in ''[[Chronicles of Prydain|The Chronicles of Prydain]]'' series by [[Lloyd Alexander]]. It is an epic fantasy, in which the protagonists are embroiled in a grand struggle against evil, supernatural forces. Yet Alexander weaves into its story personal themes of oath-keeping, self-sacrifice, the distinction between honor and honesty, loyalty and friendship, and the consequences of over-reaching power-hunger.
-For an overview of the various editions and cover illustrations of ''The Black Cauldron'', see [[Book Editions and Cover Illustrations|Book Editions and Illustrations]].
+''This page is about the novel. For the "foul pot" itself, see [[Black Crochan|The Black Crochan]].''
+''For more book covers of ''The Black Cauldron ''novel, see [[Book Editions and Cover Illustrations: Part 1]].''
+'''''The Black Cauldron''''' is the second book in ''[[Chronicles of Prydain|The Chronicles of Prydain]]'' series by [[Lloyd Alexander]]. It is an epic fantasy, in which the protagonists are embroiled in a grand struggle against evil, supernatural forces. Yet Alexander weaves into its story personal themes of oath-keeping, self-sacrifice, the distinction between honor and honesty, loyalty and friendship, and the consequences of over-reaching power-hunger.
 {{spoiler}}
@@ Line 6: / Line 10: @@
 ==Brief Synopsis==
 At a council at [[Caer Dallben]], [[Prince Gwydion]] explained to all the kings and war leaders assembled that [[Arawn Death-Lord]] was using the [[Black Crochan|Black Cauldron]] to create more of the [[Cauldron-Born]], deathless warriors. Gwydion's plan was to seize the Cauldron and destroy it. The plan proceeded apace, involving a diversionary military assault, until [[Doli]] discovered that the evil pot vanished. One of the [[Fair Folk]] disclosed that it had been taken by [[Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch]], and [[Taran]], [[Princess Eilonwy|Eilonwy]], [[Fflewddur Fflam|Fflewddur]] and [[Gurgi]] set out to find it.
+[[File:The_Black_Cauldron.jpg|227px|left]][[File:TBC_Huens.jpg|right|227px]]
 When they reached the [[Marshes of Morva]], the enchantresses agreed to trade the Cauldron for a valuable item. Each protagonist in turn offered his most precious possession, but in the end Taran's desire to win the day compelled him to give up the [[Brooch of Adaon]], an enchanted medallion that imbued him with great insight, in exchange. Yet the Cauldron was a terrible burden, and the only man who could help them lift it was [[Ellidyr]] -- a proud and arrogant prince who would claim all the glory of finding the Cauldron for himself.
-[[File:Black_Cauldron4.jpg|thumb|left|The 1970s Dell Yearling cover by Don Maitz (used on 5-book ''[[Chronicles of Prydain|Chronicles]]'' boxed set).]][[File:BlackCauldron7.jpg|thumb|The 1990s cover by Jody Lee (with [[Marshes of Morva|Morva]] and [[Kaw]] featured at bottom).]]
-[[File:Black_cauldron5.jpg|thumb|179px|left|Unknown date or imprint.]][[File:Black-Cauldron-Disney-cover.jpg|thumb|199px|The mid-80s Laurel-Leaf edition with [[The Black Cauldron (Disney)|Disney]] poster artwork.]]
 ==Chapters==
+[[File:TBC2.jpg|right|227px]][[File:TBC.jpg|right|227px]]
-#[[The Council at Caer Dallben]]
-#[[The Naming of the Tasks]]
+: 1.[[The Council at Caer Dallben]]
+: 2.[[The Naming of the Tasks]]
-#[[Adaon (chapter)|Adaon]]
+: 3.[[Adaon (chapter)|Adaon]]
-#[[In the Shadow of Dark Gate]]
+: 4.[[In the Shadow of Dark Gate]]
-#[[The Huntsmen of Annuvin (chapter)|The Huntsmen of Annuvin]]
-#[[Gwystyl (chapter)|Gwystyl]]
+: 5.[[The Huntsmen of Annuvin (chapter)|The Huntsmen of Annuvin]]
-#[[Kaw (chapter)|Kaw]]
+: 6.[[Gwystyl (chapter)|Gwystyl]]
+: 7.[[Kaw (chapter)|Kaw]]
-#[[A Stone in the Shoe]]
+: 8.[[A Stone in the Shoe]]
-#[[The Brooch]]
+: 9.[[The Brooch]]
-#[[The Marshes of Morva (chapter)|The Marshes of Morva]]
+: 10.[[The Marshes of Morva (chapter)|The Marshes of Morva]]
-#[[The Cottage]]
-#[[Little Dallben]]
+: 11.[[The Cottage]]
-#[[The Plan]]
+: 12.[[Little Dallben]]
-#[[The Price]]
+: 13.[[The Plan]]
+: 14.[[The Price]]
-#[[The Black Crochan (chapter)|The Black Crochan]]
+: 15.[[The Black Crochan (chapter)|The Black Crochan]]
-#[[The River]]
-#[[The Choice]]
+: 16.[[The River]]
-#[[The Loss]]
+: 17.[[The Choice]]
-#[[The War Lord]]
+: 18.[[The Loss]]
-#[[The Final Price]]
+: 19.[[The War Lord]]
+: 20.[[The Final Price]]
 ==Characters==
@@ Line 56: / Line 57: @@
 {{Col-end}}
-[[File:Black_Cauldron2.jpg|thumb|300px|left|The 1960s English hardcover art.]][[File:Black_Cauldron_Book_Cover.jpg|thumb|Late 60s/early 70s Dell paperback cover by Evaline Ness.]]
 [[Category:Books]]
+[[Category:The Chronicles of Prydain]]