The Queen of Brobdingnag's Protection of Gulliver

The queen's genuine affection for Gulliver and her efforts to protect him from harm, contrasting with the king's intellectual curiosity.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Purchase and First Delight

The Queen's Acquisition The Delight at Court When the queen sees Gulliver, she is beyond measure delighted. She holds out her little finger for him to kiss. She asks if he would be content to live at court. He answers that he is his master's slave, but would be proud to serve her. The Generous Purchase The queen pays a thousand pieces of gold for Gulliver, a sum that is not excessive in proportion. She also agrees to keep Glumdalclitch as his nurse. The queen is kind and generous from the start. The Introduction to the King She carries Gulliver to the king, who is initially skeptical. The queen's wit and humor are evident. She defends Gulliver and asks the king to listen to him. Her support is crucial in gaining the king's acceptance.

Daily Life with the Queen

The Queen's Companion The Dining Arrangements The queen cannot dine without Gulliver. He has a table placed near her left elbow, and she provides him with a complete set of silver dishes. She enjoys watching him eat in miniature. Her own eating is coarse and nauseating to him, but she is amused. The Gifts and Comforts The queen orders a cabinet-maker to build Gulliver a wooden chamber. She also provides him with clothes made of the thinnest silk. She gives him a gold ring, which she takes from her little finger and throws over his head like a collar. She is generous and attentive. The Gaming and Diversions She often asks Gulliver about his sea voyages and suggests he practice rowing. She has a joiner build a boat and a wooden trough for him to sail in. She and her ladies enjoy watching him. Her care for his amusement shows her genuine fondness.

The Queen's Protection from the Dwarf

The Defence Against Malice The Dwarf's Mischief When the dwarf drops Gulliver into the cream bowl, the queen is in such a fright that she wants to assist. She is angry with the dwarf and has him whipped and forced to drink the cream. She later gives him away to a lady of quality, so that Gulliver sees him no more. The Intercession After the apple incident, Gulliver intercedes for the dwarf, and the queen spares him further punishment. Despite her anger, she respects Gulliver's wishes. She is lenient but also protective. The Loyalty The queen's treatment of the dwarf shows that she values Gulliver's comfort and safety. She is willing to punish a favorite servant to protect him. Her loyalty is a counterpoint to the hostility of the dwarf.

The Queen's Grief at Gulliver's Disappearance

The Loss The Unknown Fate When the eagle carries Gulliver away, the queen is presumably informed. She would have been distressed. Glumdalclitch is heartbroken, and the queen's displeasure would fall on her. Gulliver imagines the ruin of her fortune. The Aftermath Gulliver never learns what became of the queen and Glumdalclitch. He only knows that he left them behind. The queen's kindness is a fond memory for him. The Emotional Bond Despite the vast difference in size, the queen and Gulliver share a genuine affection. She treats him as a person, not just a curiosity. Their relationship is one of the few positive emotional connections in the book.

October 1703

1703-1706, throughout the court stay

during the court stay, 1704

June 1706, after the eagle incident