Heroic Traits in The King’s Shadow, by Elizabeth Alder
HEROIC TRAIT
EXPLANATION
Persistent
Hard-working
Evyn has lost everything: his family,
his home, and his dream. However,
Evyn does not give up and spend the
rest of his life feeling sorry for
himself.
Evyn works hard to learn new skills.
Curious
Evyn is anxious to learn new things.
Kind
Evyn nurses injured knights with care
and compassion.
Appreciative
Persevering
Forgiving
Intelligent
Effective leader
Compassionate
Evyn realizes that he has Lady
Ealdgyth to thank for his new life of
learning.
Though learning to read and write is
not easy for Evyn, he persists.
Evyn’s uncle Morgan lies to him and
sells him into slavery. However,
Morgan is family, and Evyn forgives
him.
Evyn is smart. He is able to lead
Harold and his men to the cave for
safety.
Harold is commanding, confident,
and forceful without being arrogant.
He has earned the respect and
admiration of his men.
Though Harold is at war with the
house of Gryffin, he does not take his
anger out on everyone. He could
easily kill the Gryffins’ soldiers, but
he lets them live.
Ms. Ellison
CITATION
(IF WRITTEN TEXT, USE EXACT
QUOTATIONS AND PAGE
NUMBERS)
“…it was not in Evyn’s nature to
weep for himself.” (p. 34)
“Day after day Evyn toiled by
Lewys’s side…” (p. 68)
“Are you interested in learning about
herbs?... Evyn nodded…” (p. 61)
“He was glad to learn these new
skills which brought comfort t the
wounded…” (p. 64)
“I thank my lady for sending me to
Aethelney, where Brother Lewys
taught me the letters.” (p. 79)
“Day after day Evyn toiled by Leys’s
side… Evyn would dutifully take the
pen and copy… Often Lewys would
shake his head and say, ‘Do this
over.’” (p.68)
“It occurred to Evyn as he smoothed
his uncle’s hair back from his face
that he had forgiven him long ago.”
(p. 86)
“He must have his wits about him,
though he is speechless…” (p. 95)
“Harold led his men with ease and
authority…” (p. 99)
“Let [the fleeing Welshmen] go!... It
is only Gryffin and his sons I want.”
(p. 99)