Mark!

• Mark: King Mark of Cornwall

Commentary

HCE's dream (within a dream) is, in part, a retelling of the Celtic legend of Tristan and Isolde. Per the legend, he has sent his nephew Tristan in a ship to Chapelizod to escort Isolde back to Cornwall, where she is to marry King Mark. However, both Tristan and Isolde have taken a love potion. Tristan and Isolde, on their return journey to Cornwall, are betraying Mark. The sea gulls know this and are using it to mock and taunt Mark.