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

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)

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?

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

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

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

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

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.

9. Questions 1.Which of Arthur’s actions seem to be honorable? Which do not? 2.Why does Sir Thomas Mallory use a snake to cause the battle? To what does this image allude? 3.What is effective about the ambiguous ending of Le Morte d’ Arthur ? Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny