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  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  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  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  Elemental passions: bravery, love, revenge, jealousy  NOT greed, lust, or cruelty

6. King Arthur’s House Gorlois of Cornwall Duke of Tintagel Igraine Uther Pendragon Morgan le Fay m. Uriens Elayne m. Nentres of Garlot Morgause m. Lot of Lothian and Orkney Arthur m. Guinevere (no children) 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) Agravaine Joins Mordred in the plot against Arthur Killed by Lancelot Gaheris Beheads Morgause when he finds her with Lamorak Gareth “fair hands” Killed by Lancelot while Lancelot saves Guinevere

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