1. Morte D’Arthur Published in 1485 Published in 1485 Not a poem, but a lengthy prose narrative based on very lengthy French prose works, telling the entire rise and fall of King Arthur’s kingdom. Not a poem, but a lengthy prose narrative based on very lengthy French prose works, telling the entire rise and fall of King Arthur’s kingdom. It’s length makes it a less unified work than Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. It’s length makes it a less unified work than Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

2. Morte D’Arthur Malory’s tale follows not one, but many of King Arthur’s knights. Malory’s tale follows not one, but many of King Arthur’s knights. These various adventures are intertwined using a technique known as “interlace.” These various adventures are intertwined using a technique known as “interlace.” The French translation of the title is “Death of Arthur,” indicating Malory’s primary source, a French prose romance called La Mort le Roi Artu (The Death of King Arthur). The French translation of the title is “Death of Arthur,” indicating Malory’s primary source, a French prose romance called La Mort le Roi Artu (The Death of King Arthur).

3. Morte D’Arthur In Malory’s tale, the source of Lancelot’s chivalry and the cause of the downfall of Arthur’s kingdom is the courtly love relationship between Lancelot and Guinevere. In Malory’s tale, the source of Lancelot’s chivalry and the cause of the downfall of Arthur’s kingdom is the courtly love relationship between Lancelot and Guinevere.

4. Morte D’Arthur Lancelot is the central figure in Malory’s work. He is Arthur’s best knight and no one surpasses him in chivalry, except for his son Galahad. Lancelot is the central figure in Malory’s work. He is Arthur’s best knight and no one surpasses him in chivalry, except for his son Galahad. Lancelot’s love for Guinevere is both a positive and negative force: it is the source of Lancelot’s greatness and downfall. Lancelot’s love for Guinevere is both a positive and negative force: it is the source of Lancelot’s greatness and downfall.

5. Morte D’Arthur The upside to their relationship is inspired through courtly love. The upside to their relationship is inspired through courtly love. The downside is that it causes him to fail at the Grail quest and begins the war between Lancelot and Arthur, leading to Arthur’s downfall. The downside is that it causes him to fail at the Grail quest and begins the war between Lancelot and Arthur, leading to Arthur’s downfall.

6. Morte D’Arthur This upside/downside paradox reflects two different codes of behavior operating within the story: This upside/downside paradox reflects two different codes of behavior operating within the story: While Christianity condemns adultery, the chivalric code values courtly love because it makes the lovers better people. While Christianity condemns adultery, the chivalric code values courtly love because it makes the lovers better people. Society also benefits from the knight’s love- inspired valor (as Arthur did in the years of Lancelot’s favor with him). Society also benefits from the knight’s love- inspired valor (as Arthur did in the years of Lancelot’s favor with him).

7. Morte D’Arthur Grail Quest: Grail Quest: The Holy Grail was introduced into Arthurian legend by Chretien’s (French romantic troubadour) Story of the Grail, an unfinished work. The Grail was a dish used to carry a communion wafer to an old man. The Holy Grail was introduced into Arthurian legend by Chretien’s (French romantic troubadour) Story of the Grail, an unfinished work. The Grail was a dish used to carry a communion wafer to an old man. In Malory’s work and the Vulgate Cycle (on which Malory based his work), it becomes a holy relic. In Malory’s work and the Vulgate Cycle (on which Malory based his work), it becomes a holy relic.

8. Morte D’Arthur In Malory’s work, the Holy Grail becomes the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, as well as the cup used to catch some of his blood during the Crucifixion. In Malory’s work, the Holy Grail becomes the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, as well as the cup used to catch some of his blood during the Crucifixion. It was said to have been brought from Jerusalem to England by Joseph of Arimathea, a direct ancestor of Lancelot and his son, Galahad. It was said to have been brought from Jerusalem to England by Joseph of Arimathea, a direct ancestor of Lancelot and his son, Galahad.

9. Morte D’Arthur Galahad has all of his father’s knightly perfection, but none of his sins, and is therefore able to complete the Quest of the Holy Grail and is ultimately borne by angels directly to heaven. Galahad has all of his father’s knightly perfection, but none of his sins, and is therefore able to complete the Quest of the Holy Grail and is ultimately borne by angels directly to heaven. Lancelot is, thus, identified as the best of all earthly knights because of his deeds that are inspired by love for Guinevere, but fails as a celestial knight because of that same love. Lancelot is, thus, identified as the best of all earthly knights because of his deeds that are inspired by love for Guinevere, but fails as a celestial knight because of that same love.

10. Morte D’Arthur In the selections that you read… In the selections that you read… The lovers are betrayed by the spite of Agravain and Mordred. The lovers are betrayed by the spite of Agravain and Mordred. Lancelot accidentally kills Gawain’s brothers, Gaheris and Gareth while rescuing the queen, thereby becoming an enemy of Gawain and causing civil war in Arthur’s kingdom. Lancelot accidentally kills Gawain’s brothers, Gaheris and Gareth while rescuing the queen, thereby becoming an enemy of Gawain and causing civil war in Arthur’s kingdom.

11. Morte D’Arthur Eventually a peace treaty is established and Guinevere is returned to Arthur and Lancelot goes into exile. Eventually a peace treaty is established and Guinevere is returned to Arthur and Lancelot goes into exile. Gawain, however, pushes Arthur to raise and army and pursue Lancelot (to avenge his brothers’ deaths). Gawain, however, pushes Arthur to raise and army and pursue Lancelot (to avenge his brothers’ deaths).

12. Morte D’Arthur Meanwhile, while Arthur is off waging war against Lancelot, Mordred declares himself king and tries to marry Guinevere; Arthur and his army must return home to fight Mordred. Meanwhile, while Arthur is off waging war against Lancelot, Mordred declares himself king and tries to marry Guinevere; Arthur and his army must return home to fight Mordred. Gawain repents his anger against Lancelot before his death. Gawain repents his anger against Lancelot before his death.

13. Morte D’Arthur So, Gawain’s ghost comes to Arthur, telling him that Lancelot will save him from Mordred. So, Gawain’s ghost comes to Arthur, telling him that Lancelot will save him from Mordred. Guinevere decides to become a nun; Lancelot, a monk. Guinevere decides to become a nun; Lancelot, a monk. At the end of the tale, the two lovers still love each other despite their new found faith and saintly status. At the end of the tale, the two lovers still love each other despite their new found faith and saintly status.

14. Morte D’Arthur Guinevere is able to predict her own death (a sign of God’s Grace). Guinevere is able to predict her own death (a sign of God’s Grace). Lancelot has a vision of his own death (more signs of heavenly favor), and his death are accompanied by signs of holiness. Lancelot has a vision of his own death (more signs of heavenly favor), and his death are accompanied by signs of holiness. Guinevere is reunited with her husband in death. Guinevere is reunited with her husband in death.