Introduction
The fall of the Round Table and of Arthur is the climax of the
Morte and shows Malory at the height of his powers. He reshapes the
traditional story to dramatize his central themes of "worship"/honor,
fellowship, and love. With his riveting narrative he makes us share
the emotions of his principal characters. The end of the Morte
celebrates the greatness of the Arthurian world on the eve of its
ruin. As the magnificent fellowship turns violently upon itself,
death and destruction also produce repentance, forgiveness, and
salvation.
I. The Book of Lancelot and Guenevere as Prelude to the
Fall
1. After the spiritual quest of the Grail, the return to the
Arthurian court produces the apple of discord in "The Poisoned
Apple," threatening Queen Guenevere with shameful death. The knights
deep distrust of her will later return when more justified charges
are brought against her and Lancelot.
2. "The Fair Maid of Astolat" continues the foreshadowing of the
destruction of the Arthurian fellowship. Lancelot's decision to fight
in the tournament "against the king and against all his fellowship"
is a preview of his role in the Death of Arthur narrative.
3. Gareth left Gawain and his brothers to join Lancelot, who had
knighted him,; in the final book Lancelot will kill him.
4. In "the Knight of the Cart" Lancelot rescues Guenevere, charged
with sleeping with ten knights; and Lancelot is praised by Arthur and
the court. Then in the following book Lancelot will again rescue
Guenevere, but will be condemned by Arthur, Gawain and the court.
5. In the tale of Sir Urry Lancelot alone has the power to heal him;
in the last book Lancelot becomes powerless against Gawain and
fate.
II. The Death of King Arthur
If all human institutions are doomed to fall, few do so with as
much heroism, nobility, and love as Arthur's court.
1. The flower imagery with which the section begins suggests coming
ruin (contrast the floral opening of "The Knight of the Cart"). The
beautiful but transitory Arthurian garden is inhabited by serpents,
"two unhappy knights, sir Agravain and Sir Mordred."
2. Such hatred is balanced by the way the fellowship of the Round
Table transcends the bonds of kinship, as Gawain refuses to have
anything to do with Agravain's schemes. The scene introduces the
excruciating motif of the last part of the Morte: heroes
helpless to avert the disasters they so clearly foresee.
3. Lancelot goes to the queen's room despite Bors' presentiments, and
the affair is made public.
4. Arthur chooses the role of king over husband. He also chooses love
between comrades over erotic passion. So in a way do Lancelot and
Guenevere in their chivalric dignity, bravery, and concern for each
other.
5. Accosted by fourteen knights, Lancelot slays all, including
Agravain, except Mordred who is seriously wounded but escapes to
report to Arthur. The carnage makes reconciliation impossible. The
court is irremediably split.
6. Each of the characters tries to make his actions during the ending
follow the dictates of "worship," honor. If honor forces Arthur to
send Guenevere to the stake, it just as surely forces Lancelot to
rescue her. Honor compels Gawain to take vengeance on Lancelot, who
slew the unarmed Gaheris and Gareth in the melee of the rescue of the
queen from the stake.
7. But Gawein, now the implacable rival of Lancelot, becomes
increasingly nihilistic, less interested in victory than self
destruction.
8. While distracted by internecine domestic strife in the court,
Mordred takes advantage, precipitating the downfall of Arthur and the
Round Table.
9. Amid the sordid events of Mordred's treason, the nobility of the
Arthurian world is redefined. Honor is transformed into a deeper
responsibility and the human bond of love creates a new purified
fellowship. Gawain, whose relentless pursuit of "worship" drove him
to extremes, shows in death how honor can be nobly transformed.
10. Malory's sentimental Christianity is seen most clearly in the
concluding episode of the book. The values of the Round Table remain
even in these religious settings.
However, the acts of Lancelot and Guenevere, like those of Arthur and
his defeated knights, are never more heroic, loving, and generous
than as they leave the world.