In the forest you may find yourself lost, without companions. You may come to a river which is not on a map. You may lose sight of your quarry, and forget why you are there. You may meet a dwarf, or the living Christ, or an old enemy of yours; or a new enemy, one you do not know until you see his face appear between the rustling leaves, and see the glint of his dagger. You may find a woman asleep in a bower of leaves. For a moment, before you don't recognise her, you will think she is someone you know.
In Hilary Mantel's "Wolf Hall," the imagery of a forest encapsulates the uncertainty and unpredictability of one's journey. The narrative suggests that in the depths of the forest, one can feel isolated and disoriented. The mention of finding a river that isn't marked on any map highlights the theme of navigating through the unknown. Encounters with various characters, from familiar ones to foes, emphasize the complex relationships that can emerge in...