1. Background to the Arthurian Tradition

2. Le Morte d’Arthur (1469) Sir Thomas Malory
Comprehensive narrative of the Arthurian cycle
Definitive Arthurian tale in the English language
Follows Chaucer as a great example of the narrative form in the English language

3. Arthur No definitive image No known historical figure
A “made to order” hero who exemplifies the chivalric code of a new civilization gaining significant power
Plants the seeds of the tragedy genre

4. Literary Constructs Loose cause and effect Magic
Logic often unimportant
Retribution worked out unconsciously
Sudden quarrels followed by sudden reconciliations

5. Motives Elemental passions: bravery, love, revenge, jealousy
NOT greed, lust, or cruelty

6. King Arthur’s House Gorlois of Cornwall Uther Duke of Tintagel Igraine
Pendragon
Arthur m.
Guinevere
(no
children)
Morgan
le Fay m.
Uriens
Elayne m.
Nentres
of Garlot
Morgause
m. Lot of Lothian
and Orkney
Mordred

7. Lot’s House Lot m. Morgause Gawain “the courteous” Killed by Lancelot
Kills Pellinore
(who killed Lot)
Kills Lamorak
(Morgause’s
Lover)
Kills Uwayne
(Morgan le Fay’s
Son)
Gaheris
Beheads
Morgause
when he
finds her
with
Lamorak
Gareth
“fair hands”
Killed by
Lancelot
while Lancelot
saves
Guinevere
Agravaine
Joins
Mordred in
the plot
against
Arthur
Killed by
Lancelot

8. Further Resources Select this link for excellent Arthurian resources
The Camelot Project at University of Rochester