Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Governal

Tristan's father hires Governal to be his son's tutor, and Governal continues to take that role seriously long after Tristan grows up. He counsels Tristan against flipping out and taking vengeance on Mark and his barons, and he shows Tristan the way to rescue Yseut. His strong presence in the story ends at this point as the hermit Ogrin takes up the role.

Ogrin

Ogrin counsels Tristan and Yseut to repent of their adultery. When they finally realize the wisdom of his advice, he helps them write the letter to Mark that gets them back in the king's good graces. He craftily counsels them to conceal the truth of their relationship, revealing himself to be more than just a religious counselor, but a political one, too.