Character Analysis
Man of Steel
Close your eyes for a second and picture a knight. What do you see? Something kind of like this? Us too, Shmoopers, us too.
Now imagine your disappointment when you finally get to see a real, live knight… and he looks like your grouchy Uncle Albert. This is pretty much Edmund's experience when he meets Sir Nigel. He's definitely not what Edmund pictured as the model of chivalry and knighthood:
He had steel grey hair cut very short, like many men who go helmeted much of the time, and the whites of his eyes were faintly yellow. There was a jaundiced cast about his skin. (3.30)
He's also a little past his prime, plus he moves "with a slight stiffness in his stride" (4.1). But though he gives a bad first impression, there's something really likeable about Nigel. Within a short time Edmund says that "the knight's gaze had a powerful charm—I could not help liking him now" (4.47). Which is good, since Edmund's stuck with the guy.
And there's plenty to like. Nigel's a man of duty, and he's as solid as the ground he walks on. He never shows emotion or weakness—but he also never shows temper or frustration. When the boys get into trouble, he gives them the smack-down without raising his voice: "Sir Nigel looked at Hubert without any expression on his face, and then he looked at me" (11.5). And he's a great role model to his squires: "'Do you think I've been joyful every day," continued Nigel, "in this dry hole? But I have done my duty, Hubert, before God'" (34.27). In other words, buck up, boys.
But if Nigel sounds a little tough and reserved—both useful qualities for a knight—rest assured that he's also generous. For instance, rather than kicking Edmund to the curb (even after he tries to run away with his money), Nigel keeps him on as an extra squire: "'I like you, Edmund, because you have a lively glance, a fair appearance, and a strong arm.' He smiled. 'Besides, a man can use two of everything'" (8.22). This is good news for Edmund who'd struggle to hack it on his own in the world (for more on this, swing by Edmund's page elsewhere in this section).
And Edmund's not the only one who benefits from Nigel's devil-may-care generosity. He rides to the Crusades with Rannulf, who's pretty much an outcast in England (7.15). In other words, Nigel's not afraid to help the unpopular or meek. He's a knight who sticks to his guns, er, swords.
So despite the dirty tunic, Nigel is kind of a Man of Steel. Not a superman in the most orthodox sense, but we can definitely count him among the good ones.