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Introduction
Le Morte d’Arthur,completed in 1469 or 1470 and printed by Caxton in abridged form in 1485, is the first major work of prose fiction in English and remains today one of the greatest. It is the carefully constructed myth of the rise and fall of a powerful kingdom — a legendary kingdom, but perhaps also, obliquely, the real English kingdom which in Malory’s day seemed as surely doomed by its own corruption as the ancient realm of King Arthur. Malory’s myth explores the forces which bring kingdoms into being and the forces, internal and external, which destroy them. The power of the myth goes beyond whatever political implications it had in its day-set tip in, for instance, the parallels Malory introduced between Arthur’s reign and the reign of Henry V (discussed below). Malory’s grim vision has relevance for any kingdom or civilization: the very forces which make civilization necessary must in the end, if Malory is right, bring it to ruin.
What holds the myth together is not only its undeviating philosophy of doom. In Le Morte d’Arthur, Malory created, or gave new personality to, some of the most striking characters to be found in all English literature: King Arthur himself, the tragic hero; Launcelot, the noblest knight in the world, torn by a conflict of loyalties which must result in his destruction of all he loves best; Sir Gawain, vengeful and treacherous but steadfast in loyalty to his king; Queen Guinevere, emblem of courtly courtesy, generous but also fierce in jealousy; and many more. Another force binding the legend together is Malory’s fascination with deadly paradox — events which simultaneously support and undermine the kingdom. For instance, the murder of all children born on May Day, which Merlin arranges to help Arthur escape his predestined death at Mordred’s hands, fails to kill Mordred but turns many powerful lords against Arthur — above all, King Lot and a part of his house, doomed themselves but established from the outset as the focus and central cause of Arthur’s doom. The legend is also held together by atmosphere. Arthur’s realm draws together the ancient days of Celtic magic and irrationality, the by-gone age of Christian miracles, and the fifteenth-century England Malory’s readers knew — an England which, Malory suggests, is not as rational or divinely protected as it foolishly imagines.
Not that Malory’s vision is wholly black. His legend has moments of great tenderness as well as comedy, and his characters’ values are real and noble values; but they are values which mutually conflict and must in the end prove destructive. When the world collapses under Malory’s heroes, they are robbed even of the “existential” satisfaction of such characters as Gide’s Theseus, who says at the end of it all, “I have lived!” For Malory there is knowledge, but no satisfaction. Except in the case of saints like Galahad, there is only the pattern of human ambition, remorse, penance, and sorrowful death. The ancient British idea of the protector-king comes down, in Malory, to Arthur’s words to Sir Bedivere as the king is rowed, mortally wounded, to Avalon:
Then sir Bedwere cryed and seyd,
“A, my lorde Arthur, what shall becom of me, now ye go frome me and leve me here alone amonge myne enemyes?”
“Comforte thyselff,” seyde the kynge, “and do as well as thou mayste, for in me ys no truste for to truste in.”
The Text
The standard edition of Malory’s Morte d’Arthur is The Works of Sir Thomas Malory, ed., Eugéne Vinaver in three volumes (Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1947; reprinted with corrections 1948). This is not Caxton’s famous text, but another (much closer to Malory’s original) which was discovered in 1934. The spelling of names in this text, as in Caxton’s, is inconsistent; and in some cases it is doubtful that the scribe used the right name at all. It may be that the manuscript which reached the scribe was confused, incomplete, or in bad repair, and lie simply did what he could with it, or it may be that Malory himself allowed inconsistencies to creep in.
This volume of Cliffs Notes is based on Vinaver’s edition. The spelling of names used here is based, generally, on the more common spellings in Vinaver, but sometimes on what has become standard critical practice. As for the title of Malory’s book, the Notes follow the practice which has become normal in recent criticism rather than the earlier standard, Morte d’Arthur, or Vinaver’s very general title (based on his belief that the tales were not unified), The Works of Sir Thomas Malory. Titles used here for the eight main sections and for divisions within some of these sections are adapted from Vinaver but are shortened and simplified. For instance, Vinaver’s title for Section VI, “The Tale of the Sankgreal Briefly Drawn Out of French, Which Is a Tale Chronicled for One of the Truest and One of the Holiest That Is in This World” is reduced here to “The Holy Grail.”
Characters
Arthur Son of Uther Pendragon and Igrayne, Arthur is given to Merlin the magician, who later counsels him in all matters. Sir Ector raises the boy until he pulls the sword, Excalibur, from the stone. He then becomes the mightiest king of his time.
Uther Pendragon The mightiest of all English kings. Uther is the father of King Arthur as well as three daughters.
Igrayne The wife of the Duke of Cornwall. Uther Pendragon seduces and later marries her. She is the mother of King Arthur.
Merlin The magician who counsels King Arthur.
Lot A king married to one of Uther Pendragon’s daughters. Arthur seduces Lot’s wife, not knowing that she is Arthur’s own sister, and they are the parents of Mordred. King Lot is one of the eleven kings who are hostile to Arthur; he is slain by Pellanor.
Mordred Arthur’s son by his sister, Lot’s wife. Merlin prophesies that Mordred will destroy Arthur; they kill each other in a battle for the throne of England. Mordred is half-brother to Gawain, Gareth, Gaheris, and Aggravain.
Nantres A king married to one of Uther Pendragon’s daughters. King Nantres is one of the eleven kings who are hostile to Arthur.
Morgan le Fay Uther Pendragon’s third daughter; she later marries King Uriens. She tries to kill Arthur so that her lover, Accolon, can be king.
Accolon Morgan le Fay’s lover.
Ector The knight who raised Arthur until the boy pulled the sword from the stone and claimed his right to the throne. Ector goes on the Grail Quest but fails.
Kay Sir Ector’s son. He is knighted by Arthur and later goes with Arthur on a pilgrimage to St. Michael’s Mount.
Ban and Bors Two kings from overseas who are loyal to Arthur. Bors goes on the Grail Quest and assists Galahad.
Lionel Bors’ brother. Bors chooses to save a maiden from rape instead of saving Lionel from a beating, and Lionel tries unsuccessfully to kill Bors in revenge.
Lodegreaunce A king aided by Arthur, Ban, and Bors.
Gawain One of King Lot’s sons, he is knighted by Arthur and sits at the Round Table. He is good friends with Launcelot, who later kills him in a battle. He goes on the Grail Quest but fails.
Gareth Another of King Lot’s sons and the most noble. He arrives at the court anonymously, but he proves himself in battle, beating six thieves, two knights, the Black Knight, the Green Knight, Sir Persaunt of Inde, the Red Knight of the Red Lands, and the Brown Knight without Pity. Launcelot kills Gareth at the failed execution of Guinevere, even though Gareth was unarmed and against the execution.
Gaheris, Aggravain Two of King Lot’s sons. Gaheris kills his own mother and is slain by Launcelot at Guinevere’s failed execution. Aggravain spreads the news of Launcelot’s and Guinevere’s affair and is later killed by Launcelot.
Pellanor Hunter of the Questing Beast.
Gryfflet A young squire whose father is killed by Sir Pellanor. He asks to be made a knight to avenge his father’s death.
Percival Welsh son of Pellanor who, along with his brother, Lamerok, is among the most valiant knights at the Round Table. He goes on the Grail Quest and assists Galahad. Percival later experiences religious conversion with the help of his aunt and holy man; he embraces the New Law (faith, hope, belief, and baptism), renounces the Devil, and becomes a hermit.
Lamerok Welsh son of Pellanor and brother of Percival; a highly regarded knight at the Round Table. Lamerok sends a magical cup to King Mark to test whether Mark’s wife, Isode, is loyal. Lamerok later falls in love with Lot’s widow, who is killed by her son Gaheris. Gaheris and Gawain later murder Lamerok.
Tor Bastard son of Pellanor who is dubbed a knight by King Arthur and later promoted to the Round Table.
Bagdemagus A minor knight who is angry when Tor is admitted to the Round Table. He leaves the court, intent on proving his worth. He finds Merlin in the cave, but Merlin tells him to ride on.
Royns of North Wales A powerful king who vanquishes the eleven kings who are hostile to Arthur. He is killed by Balyn and Balan.
Nero King Royns’ brother, who is out to avenge his brother’s death. An ally of King Lot’s.
The Lady of the Lake The woman who gives Arthur his new sword, after he loses it in a fight with Pellanor. It belonged to her lover, who was killed his own brother. She then takes the sword to Lady Lyle of Avilon, who misused it.
Lady Lyle of Avilon A woman who wears a sword and scabbard at all times; she searches for the best and hardiest man in the kingdom to pull it out. Sir Balyn is that man.
Balyn He pulls out the Lady of Avilon’s sword, and then beheads the Lady of the Lake, who killed his mother. This act loses Arthur’s respect for Balyn. He kills Launceor and Launceor’s lady, and he kills Garlon. He is also called The Knight of the Two Swords, and he both kills and is killed by his brother, Balan.
Balan Sir Balyn’s brother.
Launceor of Ireland One of Arthur’s knights; he sets out after Balyn to avenge the Lady of the Lake’s death, but is killed by him, instead.
Mark A relative of Launceor’s who wants to avenge his death. Merlin tells King Mark that Launcelot du Lake and Tristam (Mark’s nephew) will one day fight the greatest battle ever fought between two knights. Mark’s unchecked jealousy of Tristam is his downfall.
Bodwyne Mark’s brother and a noble fighter whom Mark murders him in a fit of jealousy. Bodwyne’s child, Alexander, grows up to be a knight who seeks revenge on Mark, but Mark is able to kill him first.
Garlon An invisible knight who kills other knights; Garlon lives with King Pellam, his brother. Balyn kills Garlon.
Pellam Garlon’s brother; Pellam fights with Balyn to avenge Garlon’s death. Having lost his sword, Balyn uses a spear to fight, and when he does, Pellam’s castle falls, killing everyone except Pellam and Balyn. Merlin later reveals that the spear was used to kill Christ and predicts that Pellam will not be whole again until Galahad heals him in the Grail Quest. Pellam is also called the Maimed King.
Guinevere Arthur’s wife and Launcelot’s lover. Guinevere encourages moral and chivalrous behavior from the knights, and she dearly loves and is loved by both Arthur and Launcelot.
Laudegreaunce Guinevere’s father, who gives Arthur the Round Table.
Laucelot du Lake Ban’s son, who is considered the greatest knight in the world and remains devoted to Guinevere throughout his life. Because of his deep friendship with Tristam, Launcelot gives Tristam his castle, Joyous Gard, so that Tristam can live there with Isode in peace. Launcelot is later tricked into sleeping with Elayne, who bears his son, Galahad, the celebrated knight who succeeds in the Grail Quest. As a result of his affair, Guinevere banishes Launcelot from Camelot, and he goes half-mad with grief. Elayne arranges for his healing by the Grail, and Launcelot is welcomed back to Camelot.
Elayne Pellas’ daughter who bears Launcelot’s son, Galahad.
Galahad Elayne’s and Launcelot’s son. Galahad fills the Sege Perilous, the seat at the Round Table that no man has been worthy enough to fill. He also pulls the sword from the floating stone, thus gaining the title of the best knight in the world but also accepting the sword’s curse that it will later cause a grievous wound. Galahad is the knight who achieves the Grail Quest.
Melias A knight who rides with Galahad.
Tristam (Tristan) Son of King Melyodas de Lyones and the sister of King Mark of Cornwall; his name means “sorrowful-born.” He kills Marhault to free his uncle from a debt owed to King Angwyssh of Ireland. He then falls in love with Isode (Isolde), Angwyssh’s daughter, for whom he fights Palomydes. Isode who later marries Tristam’s uncle Mark, although he and Isode remain lovers. Also known as The Knight with the Black Shield when sent into exile by Mark, Tristam fights and beats many of Arthur’s knights. Through a series of tricks and misunderstandings, he fights Launcelot beside the old tomb of Lanceor, where Merlin earlier prophesied that the two greatest knights — and greatest friends — would duel. They recognize each other and stop fighting; Lancelot takes Tristam back to Camelot, where he is made a knight at the Round Table.
Palomydes Isode’s suitor, whom Tristam defeats over and over. They are imprisoned together, along with Dynadin. Palomydes later protects King Mark when no one else will, although he, too, soon becomes disgusted with Mark. Palomydes avenges the death of the king of the Red City and eventually befriends Launcelot and Tristam.
Andret Tristram’s cousin, who sides with Mark.
Nineve A maiden brought by Pellanore into court. Merlin falls in love with her, but she refuses him. She does, however, learn much of his magical secrets and kills him by magically sealing him in a cave. She is also called the Damsel of the Lake.
Pellas King Pellam’s son. Nineve puts a spell on him, and they live happily together.
King Damas A cowardly king who seizes knights and tries to force them to fight against his brother.
Ywain Morgan le Fay’s son; he keeps her from killing her husband, King Uriens. He and Gawain are close friends. Arthur banishes Ywain from Camelot, but he later welcomes him back. On the Grail Quest, Gawain unintentionally kills Ywain.
Manessen Accolon’s cousin, whom Morgan le Fay saves from an execution.
Marhault A man who is said to scorn all women. In a tournament with Gawain and Ywain, he is valiant.
Cador A knight at the Round Table who relishes honorable wars. He travels with Launcelot to take Roman prisoners to Paris.
Gains A knight at Emperor Lucius’ court who is beheaded by Gawain after mocking him.
Priamus A Saracen knight who fights Gawain and aids the knights as they fight the Roman soldiers.
Aunowre A sorceress who captures Arthur and tries to destroy him when he remains faithful to Guinevere.
Sir La Cote Male Tale (The Knight with the Ugly Coat) This man in a tattered coat saves Guinevere from a lion, and he is knighted for his bravery.
Damsel Meledysaunt (Ugly-Talking) A young woman who constantly mocks others, she is scolded by Launcelot and, as a result, changes her behavior. He renames her Damsel Beau-Pensaunt (Beautiful of Thought).
Dynadin A knight who is thrown in prison with Tristam and Palomydes.
Evelake (Mordrayns) A four-hundred-year-old wounded knight whose prays to remain alive until he sees the knight who will achieve the Grail Quest. When he embraces Galahad, he dies.
Pinel A knight who tries to poison Gawain to avenge Lamerok’s murder.
Lady of Astalot A maiden in love with Launcelot; he wears her token of love on his sleeve because he is trying to disguise himself. She dies of grief when Launcelot leaves her.
Lavine The brother of the Lady of Astalot; he fights on Launcelot’s side.
Urry A knight who is healed from his wounds by Launcelot; Urry pledges his devotion to Launcelot.
Melliagaunce A knight who lusts after Guinevere and kidnaps her. He is later killed by Launcelot.
Lucan and Bedivere The last two knights left standing with Arthur in his battle against Mordred.
Book Summary
Le-Morte-dArthur
Le Morte d’Arthur tells the story of King Arthur and his Knights at the Round Table. Arthur, who is son of King Uther Pendragon but was raised by another family, takes his rightful place as king when, as a boy, he is able to pull the sword called Excalibur from the stone. Although he rules wisely and is counseled by Merlin the magician, Arthur makes enemies of other kings and is often at war.
When Arthur marries Genevere, her father gives Arthur the Round Table, at which 150 men can sit. Genevere, who is often present at the convening of the Round Table, acts as a moral compass for the knights, rewarding knights who behave well and chastising those who choose poorly. Malory specifically relates the stories of Sir Gawain, Sir Tor, and Sir Pellanor as a means of introducing the concept of chivalry.
Arthur is nearly betrayed by his sister Morgan le Fay, but he is helped by Nineve, a sorceress who learned her magic powers from Merlin before killing him. Arthur then fights the Romans when Emperor Lucius of Rome demands that Arthur bow to him. Although the war requires several battles, Arthur and his knights win and return to Guinevere and the other wives. Soon after, Launcelot establishes himself as the greatest knight in all the world by his virtue, loyalty, and bravery. At the same time, Sir Gareth, Gawain’s brother, proves valiant in his adventures.
Tristam (also known as Tristan), who is son of King Melyodas de Lyones and the sister of King Mark of Cornwall, is then introduced, and his adventures unfold. He kills Sir Marhault to free his uncle from a debt owed to King Angwyssh of Ireland, and then falls in love with Isode (also known as Isolde), Angwyssh’s daughter. Isode marries Tristam’s uncle Mark, but Tristam and Isode remain lovers. Tristam is exiled by Mark, which means he can no longer use his true identity; thus, he fights as The Knight with the Black Shield. Tristam duels and beats many of Arthur’s knights, but is eventually thrown in prison and becomes ill. He escapes and eventually meets and fights Launcelot in a duel predicted by Merlin. They become the best of friends.
Launcelot, who is in love with and completely loyal to Guinevere, rides one day in search of adventure. He kills a dragon, sees the Grail, and is tricked into lying with Pellas’ daughter Elayne, with whom he has a son, Galahad. Guinevere, upon hearing of the affair, has Launcelot banished from court; Launcelot then wanders from place to place in his grief. Elayne, through her father, heals Launcelot through the Grail, and he eventually returns joyously to Camelot and the Round Table.
Launcelot introduces his son, Galahad, to the court, and Galahad takes the Sege Perilous, the seat at the Round Table that no knight has been worthy enough to fill. Galahad also draws the sword from the floating stone, establishing him as the best knight in the world, but also accepting the sword’s curse — that it will later cause a grievous wound.
Most of the knights then set out separately on Grail Quest. During the Quest, Launcelot, Percival, and Bors experience deep religious conversion, while Ector and Gawain are told by a hermit that they are not pure enough to achieve the Grail Quest. Galahad, Percival, and Bors meet up and continue the Grail Quest, but they are briefly parted. Launcelot and Galahad continue to the Grail at Castle Corbenic, where Launcelot is shown to be unworthy of the Quest. When Sir Evelake dies after his embrace with Galahad, Galahad is identified as the knight who will achieve the Grail Quest. Galahad is made a king who dies shortly thereafter, while Percival becomes a hermit. Bors returns to King Arthur’s court.
Launcelot also returns to the court and continues his love for Guinevere. After a series of trials, Guinevere is convinced of Launcelot’s love for her. Although Arthur knows of the affair and overlooks it, he is prompted by Aggravain and Mordred (Arthur’s son by Lot’s wife) to take action; Guinevere is sentenced to be burned at the stake. Launcelot rescues her and takes her to his castle, Joyous Gard, but in the battle, Launcelot kills Gareth and Gaheris, who are at the execution but are unarmed. Launcelot returns Guinevere to Arthur, but Launcelot is banished, along with his followers. Gawain swears vengeance for the death of his brothers and insists that Arthur attack Launcelot. Arthur agrees, but while Arthur and Gawain are away, Mordred makes himself King of England, claims Guinevere as his wife, and attacks Arthur’s army. Gawain is mortally wounded and warns Arthur in a dream not to continue the battle. Through a misunderstanding, however, the battle continues; Arthur kills Mordred but is mortally wounded by him, as Merlin has prophesied.
Launcelot and Guinevere both die of illness soon after, and Constantine becomes king. The Round Table is disbursed.
Source: http://www.cliffsnotes.com
Archaic Obsessions 