Dinadan

by Brian Edward Rise

The hero's companion in the Prose Tristan. A satiric but well meaning jokester who looks upon chivalry with skeptical amusement. He makes jests about combat, saying that cowards have the advantage of living. He also remarks about his inability to comprehend why, when so many lovely and willing ladies are readily available, knights seek the favor of snobbish princesses.

However, he is sound of heart and proves a brave warrior when needed. Others see him as a humorist whose jokes are not to be taken very seriously, like in Malory when he composes a song ridiculing Mark, but he is very loyal to Tristan and the news of Tristan's death is a heavy blow to him.

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