1. “The Day of Destiny” from Le Morte d’ArthurBy
Sir Thomas Malory
Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

2. Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny
Arthur’s Dream
“He was appareled in gold cloth and seated in a chair which stood on a pivoted scaffold. Below him, many fathoms deep, was a dark well, and in the water swam serpents, dragons, and wild beasts. Suddenly the scaffold tilted and Arthur was flung into the water, where all the creatures struggled toward him and began tearing him limb from limb.” (216)
Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

3. Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny
Arthur’s Dream
Beasts of the water
Serpents
symbol of evil and deception
Sir Modred
Foreshadowing the death of King Arthur?
Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

4. Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny
Arthur’s Dream
Vision of Sir Gawain
Begs King Arthur not to battle Sir Modred tomorrow.
Wait for Lancelot to come back and he will defeat Sir Modred
Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

5. Characteristics of King Arthur
Hero
Honorable
Brave
“Super-natural”
Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

6. Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny
The Snake
Bites the knight
The knight pulls out his sword to kill the serpent
As soon as the sword is drawn, both sides see it as an act of war.
Because of the serpent, many people die
Allusion?
The serpent in the Garden of Eden
Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

7. Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny
The Honorable Knights
The knights give their lives for King Arthur
Sir Lucas the Butler
Dies trying to comfort and protect King Arthur
Sir Bedivere the Bold
Lives with the monk to honor King Arthur
Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

8. Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny
The End of King Arthur?
Tomb stone inscription:
“Here lies Arthur, the once and future king.”
Legend
Some believe Arthur did not die and the he will return Britain to glory.
Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny