The Nonexistent Knight

The Nonexistent Knight (Italian: Il cavaliere inesistente) is an allegorical fantasy novel by Italian writer Italo Calvino, first published in Italian in 1959 and in English translation in 1962. The tale explores questions of identity, integration with society, and virtue through the adventures of Agilulf, a medieval knight who exemplifies chivalry, piety, and faithfulness but exists only as an empty suit of armour.

Plot

The protagonists of this novel are two paladins of Charlemagne: the titular non-existent knight, named Agilulf (he is in fact a lucid empty suit of armor), and an inexperienced and passionate young man, Rambaldo.

Agilulfo Emo Bertrandino dei Guildiverni e degli Altri di Corbentraz e Sura, knight of Selimpia Citeriore and Fez, is the titular character of the novel. Agilulfo animates an empty suit of armor solely through willpower and his faith in the cause of Charlemagne and his paladins. During Charlemagne's war against the Moors, Agilulfo is approached by Rambaldo di Rossiglione, an inexperienced and passionate young man who enlisted to avenge the death of his father, the late Marquis Gherardo, who was killed under the walls of Seville by the Argalif Isoarre. During Charlemagne's march with his paladins to face their enemies, they encounter Gurdulù, a vagabond who acts purely on instinct without reflection. By Charlemagne’s orders, Gurdulù is assigned as Agilulfo’s squire. Agilulfo lacks "physical individuality," while Gurdulù lacks "conscious individuality."

At the end of the book, it is revealed that the entire story is narrated by Sister Teodora, a nun of the Order of Saint Columban, who was tasked with this duty by the mother superior of her convent.

When the battle begins, Rambaldo seeks every opportunity to confront his father’s killer.