The Day of Destiny

from Le Morte dArthur

By
Sir Thomas Malory

Geschke/British Literatu
re The Day of Dest
 Arthurs 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 Literatu
re The Day of Dest
 Arthurs Dream
Beasts of the water
Serpents
symbol of evil and deception
Sir Modred
Foreshadowing the death of King
Arthur?

Geschke/British Literatu
re The Day of Dest
 Arthurs 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 Literatu
re The Day of Dest
 Characteristics of King Arthur
Hero
Honorable
Brave
Super-natural

Geschke/British Literatu
re The Day of Dest
 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 Literatu
re The Day of Dest
 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 Literatu
re The Day of Dest
 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 Literatu
re The Day of Dest