How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Page)
Quote #1
It came into my mind in the nick of time, how Columbus, or Cortez, or one of those people, played an eclipse as a saving trump once, on some savages, and I saw my chance. (5.6)
The incident with the eclipse sets the tone for the whole story: Hank has brains, which gives him an edge over a whole castle full of ignorant rubes. More importantly, he knows how to use his brains effectively. That's the difference between knowledge (there's gonna be an eclipse) and wisdom (I can pretend it's magic and scare the pants off of them).
Quote #2
Look at the opportunities here for a man of knowledge, brains, pluck, and enterprise to sail in and grow up with the country. (8.1)
Hank understands how much good he can do in Camelot. Why is that different than it would be in the 19th century? Possibly because so much of what he knows has already changed the country. Everyone's used to factories, electricity, and phones in the 19th century, but in Arthur's time—when it's all unknown—the impact is going to be much bigger.
Quote #3
Here I was, a giant among pigmies, a man among children, a master intelligence among intellectual moles (8.6)
Hank the Yank's not exactly a humble man when it comes to his brains, is he? Could that help explain why his accomplishments are undone in the finale? It certainly seems to set the hero up for the fall, which may mean that, while Hank has plenty of knowledge, his wisdom may be lagging behind a bit.