Position:Home>Books & Authors> Do you know the characters of Le Morte D' Arthur?

First let me appluad you for choosing one of the greatest literary works of all time to do a monologue on, however the characters you have choosen are vast in the Le Morte D'Arthur, as it is a collection of the books of Malory about Arthur these books are:

Book I: "From the Marrage of King Uther unto Kyng Arthure that Regned Aftir Hym and Ded Many Batayles"

Book II: "The Noble Tale Betwyxt Kynge Arthure and Lucius the Emperor of Rome"

Book III: "The Noble Tale of Sir Launcelot Du Lake"

Book IV: "The Tale of Sir Gareth of Orkney"

Book V: "The Fyrste and Secunde Boke of Syr Trystrams de Lyones"

Book VI: “The Noble Tale of the Sankgreal”

Book VII: "Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere"

Book VIII: "The Death of Arthur"

Here is a brief description about each character you have chosen:

Mordred - is a character in the Arthurian legend, known as a notorious traitor who fought King Arthur at the Battle of Camlann, where he was killed and Arthur fatally wounded!. Tradition varies on his relationship to Arthur, but he is best known today as Arthur's illegitimate son by his half-sister Morgause!.

Morgan Le Faye - Is a powerful sorceress and antagonist of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere in the Arthurian legend!. In Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur and elsewhere, she is married, unhappily, to King Urien of Gore and Ywain is her son!. Though she becomes an adversary of the Round Table when Guinevere discovers her adultery with one of her husband's knights, she eventually reconciles with her brother, and even serves as one of the four enchantresses who carry the king to Avalon after his final battle at Camlann!.

Merlyn/Merlin - Is best known as the wizard featured in Arthurian legend!. Merlin's traditional biography casts him as born of mortal woman, sired by an incubus, the non-human wellspring from whom he inherits his supernatural powers and abilities!. Merlin matures to an ascendant sagehood and engineers the birth of Arthur through magic and intrigue!. Later, Merlin serves as the king's advisor until he is bewitched and imprisoned by the Lady of the Lake!.

Arthur - While there are several orgins and story of Arthur here is the just from Le Morte d'Arthur!. The development of the medieval Arthurian cycle and the character of the 'Arthur of romance' culminated in Le Morte d'Arthur, Thomas Malory's retelling of the entire legend in a single work in English in the late 15th century!. Malory based his book on the various previous romance versions, in particular the Vulgate Cycle, and appears to have aimed at creating a comprehensive and authoritative collection of Arthurian stories!. Seeing as how the entire collection is about the life and trials of Arthur you can find him in every story (practically) of Le Morte d'Arthur!.

Lancelot - He is typically considered to be one of the greatest and most trusted of King Arthur's knights and plays a part in many of Arthur's victories!. He is perhaps most famous for his affair with Arthur's wife Guinevere (in other stories this affair is actually with Mordred) and the role he plays in the search for the Holy Grail!.

Guinevere - She is the daughter of King Leodegrance and is betrothed to Arthur early in his career, while he is garnering support!. When Lancelot arrives later, she is instantly smitten, and they soon consummate the adultery that will bring about Arthur's fall!. However, Arthur is not aware of their romance for quite a while, until at a feast when he realizes that neither Lancelot nor Guinevere is there!. Their affair is exposed by two of King Lot's sons, Agravain and Mordred, and Lancelot flees for his life while Arthur reluctantly sentences his queen to burn at the stake!. Knowing Lancelot and his family will try to stop the execution, Arthur sends many of his knights to defend the pyre, though Gawain refuses to participate!. Lancelot arrives and rescues the queen, and in the course of the battle Gawain's brothers Gaheris and Gareth are killed, sending Gawain into a rage so great that he pressures Arthur into war with Lancelot!. When Arthur goes to France to fight Lancelot, he leaves Guinevere in the care of Mordred, who plots to marry the queen himself and take Arthur's throne!. In some versions Guinevere assents to Mordred's proposal, but in others, she hides in the Tower of London and then takes refuge in a convent!. Hearing of the treachery, Arthur returns to Britain and slays Mordred at Camlann, but his wounds are so severe that he is taken to the isle of Avalon!. I know this description is long but she plays such a vital role in the story of Arthur!.

Galahad - Sir Galahad is a knight of King Arthur's Round Table and one of the three achievers of the Holy Grail in Arthurian legend!. He is the illegitimate son of Sir Lancelot and Elaine of Carbonek, and is renowned for his gallantry and purity!. He is perhaps the knightly embodiment of Jesus (remember this is literary work and often uses someone people can relate with as insperation) in the Arthurian legends!.

King Mark - The uncle of Tristan and husband of Iseult, who engage in a secret affair behind his back!. In Le Morte d'Arthur he rapes his niece and then murders her when she produces his son, Meraugis, and he murders his brother Baldwin as well!. In earlier versions of the story Tristan dies in Brittany, far away from Mark, but in the Prose Tristan Mark stabs Tristan while he plays the harp under a tree for Iseult!.

Most of the character you have listed appear quite frequently in all books of the Le Morte d'Arthur with the exception of King Mark!.

I know this a long answer but I hope this helps you with your choice!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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