Transcript Le Morte D’Arthur - Gonzaga College High School

Sir Thomas Malory
(1410-1471)
Attributed author of Le
Morte D’Arthur.
 A knight who lived in
15th-century England.
 Turned his life towards
crime; arrested for
robbing a church.
 Allegedly wrote Le Morte
D’Arthur during the end
of his imprisonment.
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Written in 1469
French origin, but adapted for English
audience.
Stories are based on legend and folklore.
Romantic Epic: Long narrative poem that
combines standard epics with medieval
romance.
Set in Britain during the 6th-century AngloSaxon period.
Establishes an origin for the English people.
Epic hero of Le Morte
D’Arthur
 Many King Arthurs existed,
but he is largely based on
folklore.
 Fun fact! Name may derive
from “Arto-rig-ios,” which
translates to “Bear-King.”
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The medieval knightly system with its
religious, moral, and social code.
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Duty to:
 Countrymen
 God
 Women
King Uther Pendragon wanted
Igraine as his paramour.
 In exchange for the born child,
Merlin disguises Uther as
Igraine’s (recently) deceased
husband.
 They fall in love, and Arthur is
born of deception.
 Arthur was born for greatness,
and he was given to Sir Ector.
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“I bestow on Arthur God’s blessing and my
own, and Arthur shall succeed to the throne
on pain of forfeiting my blessing” – King
Uther on his deathbed.
“WHOSO PULLETH OUTE
THIS SWERD OF THIS
STONE AND ANVYLD IS
RIGHTWYS KYNGE
BORNE OF ALL
BRYTAYGNE.”
 Sir Ector’s son Sir Kay’s
blunder. What is it?
 Arguments against Arthur
as king: he is too young; he
is of ignoble birth.
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A herald, the White Hart,
leads Arthur to
adventure with King
Pellinore and the
Questing Beast.
Arthur lost the sword in
the stone during battle
with King Pellinore.
Arm breaks surface of
Lake Avalon to reveal
the sword Excalibur.
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Archetypal weapon
Similar to Hrunting
Derives from Welsh
folklore
What similarities to Beowulf do you see in this
chapter, Merlin?
What do you make of Arthur’s promiscuity?
What heroic archetypes do you see in the
readings?
Can we trust Merlin?
Oldest surviving major
work of French
Literature
 Usually dated to
around 12th Century
 Contains a code for
chivalry
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To fear God and maintain His
Church
To serve the liege lord in valor
and faith
To protect the weak and
defenseless
To give succor (aid) to widows
and orphans
To refrain from the wanton
giving of offense
To live by honor and for glory
To despise pecuniary
(financial) reward
To fight for the welfare of all
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To obey those placed in
authority
To guard the honor of fellow
knights
To eschew unfairness,
meanness, and deceit
To keep faith
At all times to speak the truth
To persevere to the end in any
enterprise begun
To respect the honor of women
Never to refuse a challenge
from an equal
Never to turn the back upon a
foe
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Arthur summons nobles to Camelot
Lady of the Lake challenges nobles
Sir Balin answers the call. How?
Why is this troubling for Arthur?
Why does Balin proclaim, “I shall forever put
the service of her sex foremost”?
Who is Sir Balan?
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What is the deal with Sir Garlot?
What is significant about the spear that Balin
used to kill King Pellam?
Sir Garnysh of the Mount. Huh?
Who is the Knight in Red Armor?
What examples of chivalry are evident in this
reading?
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King Arthur wants to
marry Gwynevere.
Gwynevere is destined
to be with Launcelot.
Merlin makes it happen
anyway. (Trust him?)
King Lodegreaunce,
Gwynevere’s father,
approves and gives
Arthur the Round Table.
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What is the back story of Torre?
What is the Siege Perelous?
Is there evidence of another blunder leading
to a quest?
What quests does Arhtur send Gawain, Torre,
and Pellinore on?
How do the knights Gawain met teach him
chivarly?
Why does Queen Gwynevere rebuke Sir
Gawain?
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What is Sir Torre’s relationship with the
dwarf?
How does Queen Gwynevere receive Sir Torre
when he returns to Camelot?
What three part oath does Arhtur make the
three returning questers take?
 1.)
 2.)
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Merlin falls for Nyneve,
and he asks to leave
King Arthur’s court.
 What is Merlin’s
destiny, and how does
it occur?
 If you were Merlin,
what would you do in
this situation?
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Five Kings are invading Camelot
King Arthur, Queen Gwynevere, and Sirs
Gawain, Gryfflet, and Kay flee from Camelot.
Sir Kay takes command of the situation. What
does he do?
Arthur’s army kills 30,000 soldiers. NBD.
King Arthur adds men to the Knights of the
Round Table.
Nepotism!
CLICK
What would you say is
King Arthur’s Belly of
the Whale moment?
 Morgan Le Fay
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Fay = Fairy
What is Morgan Le
Fay’s wicked plan to kill
Arthur?
 How does she tempt
Arthur?
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King Arthur vs. Accolon
 Accolon is Morgan Le
Fay’s paramour
Mixed Excaliburs
How does King Arthur
win this fight?
 Who comes to his aid?
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How does Morgan La Fay try to trick her halfbrother King Arthur into accepting her
forgiveness?
Woman as Temptress much?
What does she steal from Arthur? Where does
she throw it?