Walter’s Courage

William Tell (P. G. Wodehouse Edition)

This thread follows Walter from an eager apprentice to the brave child who withstands the apple challenge and returns safely to family life.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Young Archer A Young Archer from "William Tell". A Young Archer Learning by practice Walter plays with a small crossbow and asks his father to help with a broken bowstring.

A Young Archer from "William Tell". A Young Archer Learning by practice Walter plays with a small crossbow and asks his father to help with a broken bowstring.

A Young Archer Learning by practice Walter plays with a small crossbow and asks his father to help with a broken bowstring. A family disagreement Hedwig thinks he should help at home, while William Tell believes early practice makes a good marksman. Walter’s childhood is shaped by competing ideas of duty and preparation.

The Longed-For Journey The Longed-For Journey from "William Tell". The Longed-For Journey A promised outing Walter cries to accompany William Tell because his father had promised to take him to town.

The Longed-For Journey from "William Tell". The Longed-For Journey A promised outing Walter cries to accompany William Tell because his father had promised to take him to town.

The Longed-For Journey A promised outing Walter cries to accompany William Tell because his father had promised to take him to town. A mother’s worry Hedwig protests, but Tell lets the boy join him. The ordinary excitement of a child’s trip leads directly to the central danger.

A Dangerous Claim A Dangerous Claim from "William Tell". A Dangerous Claim Pride in his father Walter tells Hermann Gessler that William Tell can hit an apple at a hundred yards.

A Dangerous Claim from "William Tell". A Dangerous Claim Pride in his father Walter tells Hermann Gessler that William Tell can hit an apple at a hundred yards.

A Dangerous Claim Pride in his father Walter tells Hermann Gessler that William Tell can hit an apple at a hundred yards. Words turned into a trap Gessler uses the boast to demand a shot with Walter’s life at stake. Walter’s confidence becomes the pretext for the Governor’s cruel test.

Standing Beneath the Apple Standing Beneath the Apple from "William Tell". Standing Beneath the Apple Courage under threat Walter refuses to kneel or have his eyes bound and says he will stand still for his father.

Standing Beneath the Apple from "William Tell". Standing Beneath the Apple Courage under threat Walter refuses to kneel or have his eyes bound and says he will stand still for his father.

Standing Beneath the Apple Courage under threat Walter refuses to kneel or have his eyes bound and says he will stand still for his father. Trust in Tell He encourages William Tell to shoot, confident that his father will not miss. The boy’s bravery steadies the scene without diminishing its danger.

A Safe Return A Safe Return from "William Tell". A Safe Return Relief and pride Walter survives and proudly shows the apple pierced by his father’s arrow.

A Safe Return from "William Tell". A Safe Return Relief and pride Walter survives and proudly shows the apple pierced by his father’s arrow.

A Safe Return Relief and pride Walter survives and proudly shows the apple pierced by his father’s arrow. Childhood resumes He is distressed when Rudolph der Harras bites the apple, then eats it himself after it is returned. The small, comic appetite of the child follows a near-fatal ordeal.

Before the journey to town

The morning Tell sets out for town

At the meadow, after Tell is detained

During the shooting challenge

After the successful shot