Module 3

LE MORTE DE ARTHUR

Introduction:

In your preceding module, you have studied Beowulf which is an Anglo-Saxon literary piece. This time
you will have tales of King Arthur, the great legendary hero of Britain which have been popular for more
than 800 years, although scholars have been able to learn little about the real Arthur, for no
contemporary accounts of his deeds exist. Some scholars contain that the real Arthur was probably a
Welsh cavalry general named Artorius, who led twelve successful attacks against invading Saxons
between AD 500 and 517.

To find out more about King Arthur, you have to explore on this module.

Objectives. At the end of the lesson the students will be able to:
1. Tell whether tales from King Arthur is based on history or only a product of folklore;
2. Identify scholars who wrote versions of King Arthur and connect the authors to their works;
3. Interpret the values of the characters and evaluate their acts ;
4. Value the heroism and virtues of the characters.

SAQ 1

1. Outline the authors and their contributions to the versions of King Arthur.
ASAQ 1

Geoffrey Ashe – He identifies Arthur with Riothamus, thereby placing the reign of King
Arthur from 454- 470 and including in it a British military campaign in
Gaul in the late 460’s

Geoffrey of Monmouth – He is responsible for allowing Arthur to appear as Britain’s

major national hero in Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the
Kings
of Britain), written in Latin in 1136. He made Arthur the major figure
in
his history which covers 1900-year period from 1200 B.C. to A.D.
689.
After that long period however, scholars believe that he created only
fictitious sources in order to legitimize his use of folklore and his own
imagination. Thus, his work was considered primarily literature
rather
than history. Monmouth also created Arthur as the great British king
who conquered all of the British Isles and most of Europe as well. He
would have conquered Rome also had he not been called home to
fight his nephew, who had taken over the kingdom in his absence.
Furthermore, Monmouth also introduces the world to Arthur’s
unusual
birth and death;Guinevere, his beautiful, unfaithful wife; Merlin, the
Magician; and the concept of chivalry.

Wace - He freely translated Monmouth’s history into Norman-French verse in

1155. He concentrated on the Arthurian material, used additional
sources, and added a more courtly flavor to work. He mentions the
Round Table for the first time.

Chretien de Troyes – He wrote five romances set in King Arthur’s court, a world of
chivalry, where King Arthur reigns over a court of knights who are
heroes and lovers. He introduced the idea of courtly love, in which
the woman is superior to the man and the lover is completely
obedient to the wishes of the lady. In his Lancelot, the love between
Lancelot and Guinevere appears for the first time.

Layamon - He added more details to Wace’s story and gave it a decidedly

English flavor by emphasizing Arthur’s courage and his love for
adventure. As he was patriotic, he did not delve into the romantic
version of Arthur’s story.

Unknown Author – He presented Arthur as a great hero in a battle and made Gawain
as the principal knight.
 Thomas Malory – He published what became the definitive story of King Arthur, Le
Morte D’Arthur. He combined the English tradition of Geoffrey of
Monmouth with the French tradition of Chretein de Troyes. In
Malory’s version Arthur becomes one of the world’s greatest rulers,
the equal of Alexander the Great. He does not return to England until
he has been crowned emperor in Rome. Malory takes Mordred’s
treachery and Guinevere’s infidelity from Geoffrey, but he combines it
with the love affair of Guinevere and Lancelot. In addition, he
broadens the picture of Arthur’s court by presenting a number of tales
about Arthur’s principal knights.

SAQ 2

Write a broad and more detailed summary of Le Morte D’Arthur

Le Morte D’Arthur is a great legendary story that is worth more of your readings. You
should supplement this module with your own readings in order to have a fuller grasp of
the story and thus gain more appreciation of this literary piece which has appealed to
writers and readers for hundreds of years because of its complex and varied content.
This story has a broad focus and contains a large cast of important characters. Its
theme includes adventure, magic, chivalry, courtly love, and great tragic love story. In
the following student activity, you will have to answer based from your own readings on
the legend.
SAQ 3

Answer the following questions:

1. Is Arthur a historical figure or a fictitious character? Defend your answer with

evidences from your readings.
2. How would you qualify the relationship of Guinevere and Lancelot according to
the accounts in the story/stories that you have read?
3. What was the idea of Gawain about the closeness of the queen and Lancelot?
4. What made Gawain hate Lancelot?
5. Why do you think Arthur supported Gawain’s idea of attacking Lancelot?
6. Mention an instance which confirms the loyalty of Lancelot towards Arthur.
7. What is the significant transformation of Gawain during his fight with Lancelot?
8. Mention the activities done by Mordred in the absence of Arthur.
9. What was Arthur’s dream?
10. Why did the fight resume when it was supposed to be postponed for a month?
11. Tell how Bedivere returned the sword Excalibur.
12. Did Arthur die? Reason out.
13. What happened to Guinevere and Lancelot?
14. Who do you think are the ones to blame for all those damages?
15. What values/disvalues are shown in the legend? Justify every answer.
16. Trace the origin of Arthur. Why is he the lawfully born king of England?
17. Enumerate the important characters of the story and describe each of them.

References:

Trawick World Literature Made Simple

Rosenberg, Donna. World Mythology. USA: NTC Publishing Group

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/l/le-morte-darthur/book-summary