Question

character sketch of gray steed

Answer 1

Gulliver meets gray steed in the fourth part of his novel 'Gulliver's Travels' as the horse protects him fro Yahoo, the uncivilized human-like creatures on the island Houyhnhnms. Gray steed is the horse master who Gulliver finds is embodiment of perfection. For him the word 'lie' didn't exist and emotions of greed,  envy and anger. They live a life of cleanliness and peace.

He is a good host as he offers oats and milk to Gulliver as he is not able to eat their food. He also arranges to teach Gulliver their language and provides him a separate place to stay.He holds discussion with Gulliver and gets to know about Brobdingnagians, but he is not able to believe that there can be life beyond the sea. When Gulliver tells him that out there humans were the rational beings and horses were the beast of burden, he doesn't believe him and almost calls him liar though he doesn't know the word. His self satisfaction, his superiority calls for a doubt about the virtues of Houyhnhnms, How great can he really be if he is so ignorant.   

When other Houyhnhnms force that either Gulliver should be treated at other Yahoos or sent back to his country, his master has to bid him farewell and Gulliver sails back for the island from where he can see Houyhnhnms. Before parting Gulliver asks for the permission to kneel and kiss the hoof of his master.