Le Morte Darthur essays

Le Morte Darthur essays "Le Morte Darthur" is a classic epic prose work from the 15th century, chronicling the life and legend of King Arthur, his round table, and his brave knights. Originally written in French, Sir Thomas Malory translated and edited it and his version is the most renowned. Arthur and his knights are the main focus of the book, but the romance between Guenivere and Lancelot cannot be ignored, and these passionate characters reach their peak in the last two books of the story. These last two books focus on Arthur, Guenivere, Lancelot, and Gawain and their personal issues. This creates a far different environment from the first Tales of the book, which were far less concerned with the personal lives of the characters, and far more concerned with the larger themes of the work, including honor, obedience, and revenge. Relationships come to a head here, and both Arthur and Lancelot must question their relationship with each other and their relationship with Queen Guenivere. Knight is pitted against knight as jealousy and passion override common sense and obedience, and Guenivere finds herself forever in the middle of the two men that love her most, as Lancelot attempts to warn her. He says, "And madam, wit you well I dread them more for your sake than for any fear I have of them myself, for I may happen to escape and rid myself in a great need, where, madam, ye must abide all that will be said unto you" (Malory 404). Finally, Arthur finds that his love for his knights and his kingdom is stronger than his love for Guenivere, but he cannot give her up to Lancelot, he would sentence her to death, first. Thus, in these final two books, the importance of the relationships is resolved, the men understand their true natures, and their Romance is the key to these last two books, but another important key is the fate of the characters, who all must pay for their transgressions in ...