Let's face it: we haven't seen someone hate on a Gandolf like this since Sauron. Unlike the Gray Wizard from those Tolkien novels, though, this Gandolf is a lot more mysterious. We don't know when he died, what he did, or who he even was, really. All we know is that he was jealous of our bishop's now-dead mistress (or wife) and that he built his tomb in the best spot in St. Praxed's church. That's enough, though, to set the bishop off on an epic plan to outduel Gandolf—from the grave. The competition between the two looks like it will last long after both competitors have died, which shows us really just how silly competition can be.
Questions About Competition
- In the epic clash of the bishop versus Gandolf, whom do you root for? Why?
- Are there actually any winners in the competition between Gandolf and the bishop? Why do you think so?
- Do you see any definitive losers in the competition between Gandolf and the bishop? Why do you think so?
- Why would a bishop be so hung up on competing with a rival? What is Browning telling us about the nature of competition?
Chew on This
The fact that Gandolf is dead, and that the bishop has nearly joined him, shows us just how silly and pointless competition between rivals is.
The bishop's egotism is behind his rivalry with Gandolf. If he were a truly pious and selfless man, then he wouldn't care at all about where his tomb went or how it looked.