Sir Thomas Malory

 ( )  Attributed author of Le Morte D’Arthur.  A knight who lived in 15 th -century England.  Turned his life towards crime; arrested for robbing a church.  Allegedly wrote Le Morte D’Arthur during the end of his imprisonment.

 Written in 1469  French origin, but adapted for English audience.  Stories are based on legend and folklore.  Romantic Epic: Long narrative poem that combines standard epics with medieval romance.  Set in Britain during the 6 th -century Anglo- Saxon period.  Establishes an origin for the English people.

 Epic hero of Le Morte D’Arthur  Many King Arthurs existed, but he is largely based on folklore.  Fun fact! Name may derive from “Arto-rig-ios,” which translates to “Bear-King.” CLICK

 The medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code.  Duty to:  Countrymen  God  Women

 King Uther Pendragon wanted Igraine as his paramour.  In exchange for the born child, Merlin disguises Uther as Igraine’s (recently) deceased husband.  They fall in love, and Arthur is born of deception.  Arthur was born for greatness, and he was given to Sir Ector.

 “I bestow on Arthur God’s blessing and my own, and Arthur shall succeed to the throne on pain of forfeiting my blessing” – King Uther on his deathbed.

 “WHOSO PULLETH OUTE THIS SWERD OF THIS STONE AND ANVYLD IS RIGHTWYS KYNGE BORNE OF ALL BRYTAYGNE.”  Sir Ector’s son Sir Kay’s blunder. What is it?  Arguments against Arthur as king: he is too young; he is of ignoble birth. CLICK

 A herald, the White Hart, leads Arthur to adventure with King Pellinore and the Questing Beast.  Arthur lost the sword in the stone during battle with King Pellinore.  Arm breaks surface of Lake Avalon to reveal the sword Excalibur.

 Archetypal weapon  Similar to Hrunting  Derives from Welsh folklore

What similarities to Beowulf do you see in this chapter, Merlin? What do you make of Arthur’s promiscuity? What heroic archetypes do you see in the readings? Can we trust Merlin?

 Oldest surviving major work of French Literature  Usually dated to around 12 th Century  Contains a code for chivalry

 To fear God and maintain His Church  To serve the liege lord in valor and faith  To protect the weak and defenseless  To give succor (aid) to widows and orphans  To refrain from the wanton giving of offense  To live by honor and for glory  To despise pecuniary (financial) reward  To fight for the welfare of all

 To obey those placed in authority  To guard the honor of fellow knights  To eschew unfairness, meanness, and deceit  To keep faith  At all times to speak the truth  To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun  To respect the honor of women  Never to refuse a challenge from an equal  Never to turn the back upon a foe CLICK

 Arthur summons nobles to Camelot  Lady of the Lake challenges nobles  Sir Balin answers the call. How?  Why is this troubling for Arthur?  Why does Balin proclaim, “I shall forever put the service of her sex foremost”?  Who is Sir Balan?

 What is the deal with Sir Garlot?  What is significant about the spear that Balin used to kill King Pellam?  Sir Garnysh of the Mount. Huh?  Who is the Knight in Red Armor?  What examples of chivalry are evident in this reading?

 King Arthur wants to marry Gwynevere.  Gwynevere is destined to be with Launcelot.  Merlin makes it happen anyway. (Trust him?)  King Lodegreaunce, Gwynevere’s father, approves and gives Arthur the Round Table. CLICK

 What is the back story of Torre?  What is the Siege Perelous?  Is there evidence of another blunder leading to a quest?  What quests does Arhtur send Gawain, Torre, and Pellinore on?  How do the knights Gawain met teach him chivarly?  Why does Queen Gwynevere rebuke Sir Gawain?

 What is Sir Torre’s relationship with the dwarf?  How does Queen Gwynevere receive Sir Torre when he returns to Camelot?  What three part oath does Arhtur make the three returning questers take?  1.)  2.)  3.)

 Merlin falls for Nyneve, and he asks to leave King Arthur’s court.  What is Merlin’s destiny, and how does it occur?  If you were Merlin, what would you do in this situation?

 Five Kings are invading Camelot  King Arthur, Queen Gwynevere, and Sirs Gawain, Gryfflet, and Kay flee from Camelot.  Sir Kay takes command of the situation. What does he do?  Arthur’s army kills 30,000 soldiers. NBD.  King Arthur adds men to the Knights of the Round Table.  Nepotism!

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 What would you say is King Arthur’s Belly of the Whale moment?  Morgan Le Fay  Fay = Fairy  What is Morgan Le Fay’s wicked plan to kill Arthur?  How does she tempt Arthur?

 King Arthur vs. Accolon  Accolon is Morgan Le Fay’s paramour  Mixed Excaliburs  How does King Arthur win this fight?  Who comes to his aid?

 How does Morgan La Fay try to trick her half- brother King Arthur into accepting her forgiveness?  Woman as Temptress much?  What does she steal from Arthur? Where does she throw it?