An attempt to figure out a very complex legend…

The story of the rise and fall of the kingdom of Camelot A legendary kingdom, but possibly

mirroring Malory’s views of England

Philosophy of doomExpand on Arthurian charactersPresent deadly paradoxes—events

that simultaneously help and hurt the kingdom

Except for Galahad, there is only the pattern of human ambition, remorse, penance, and sorrowful death.

Lots of deadly rivalries and adulterous love

1. Merlin King Uther Pendragon lusts after Igrayne Merlin transforms Uther into Duke Arthur is conceived, Duke dies, Uther and

Igrayne marry “Sword in the Stone” Arthur meets and falls in love with

Guinevere Arthur conceives a child with the wife of

King Lot = Mordred. Merlin: “kill all the babies”

2. The Knight with the Two Swords Sir Balyn pulls sword from lake, Lady

Lyle of Avilon, Balan and Balyn kill each other

3. Tor and Pellanor Arthur marries Guinevere, Arthur sets

up Round Table, Gawain and Pellanor become knights

Sir Gawain, Sir Tor, and Sir Pellanor’s adventures

4. Death of Merlin Merlin loves Nimue, she doesn’t return

the love, wants to learn his magic, locks him in a cave

5. Arthur and Accolon Arthur goes to war again a league of 5

kings Morgan le Fay attempts to kill Arthur,

throws Excalibur in the lake Nimue becomes the Lady of the Lake

Emperor Lucius of Rome sends message to Arthur’s court demanding tribute.

FightingArthur wins and is crowned in

Rome.Goes home

French Son of King Ban

and Elayne Raised by Lady

of the Lake Greatest knight,

loves Guinevere Attempts to be

pure

Pretty much saves/helps women: Helps Sir

Bagdemagus’ daughter

Damsel leads him to Tarquin where knights are held captive.

Tentagil Castle: giants holding maidens there.

Consoles a lady when her knight dies

Youngest brother of Gawain and Gaheris

Lots of battles, every battle increases in intensity.

Marries Lyonesse

1. Isode the Fair Tristram orphaned early Raised by his uncle, King Mark in

France Becomes a harpist Falls in love with Isode (Irish princess) Uncle Mark ends up hating Tristram

(fall out over a girl)▪ Mark wants to marry Isode ▪ Tristram goes and gets Isode

Tristram and Isode end up drinking a love potion that was intended for Mark and Isode.

Isode and Mark marry. Tristram and Isode are lovers= problems.

Tristram goes to Britain and marries Isode Le Blaunche Maynes

14. Lancelot and Elayne By a trick, Lancelot lies with Elayne

and Galahad is conceived. Guinevere finds out and banishes

Lancelot. Lancelot goes crazy and runs off

and knights go searching for him. Lives in a castle with Elayne for a

bit.

1. The Departure (our reading) 2. The Miracles 3. Sir Perceval—really wants to beat

Galahad 4. Sir Lancelot 5. Sir Gawain and Sir Ector--dream that

reveals they lack the qualities to find the Grail

6. Sir Bors—help his brother, Sir Lionel or lady being raped?

7. Sir Galahad 8. The Castle of Corbenic 9. The Miracle of Galahad—obtaining

the Grail and dying.

1. The Poisoned Apple Lancelot is banished, a

knight dies from a poisoned apple and they suspect Guinevere.

2. The Fair Maid of Astalot Falls in love with

Lancelot He wears her token in

joust 3. The Great

Tournament Arthur proclaims a

tournament Guinevere asks Lancelot

to wear her token

4. The Knights of the Cart

5. The Healings of Sir Urry Other knights trying

to catch Lancelot and Guinevere and reveal it to Arthur

1. Slander and Strife Gawain and Garth know about Lancelot

and Guinevere Arthur judges Guinevere to be burned Lancelot hears about Guinevere and

accidently kills Gareth and Gaheris 2. Vengeance of Sir Gawain 3. The Siege of Benwick

Arthur attacks Lancelot’s land Gawain calls Lancelot a traitor—

Lancelot barely spares his life 4. The Day of Destiny (our reading) 5. The Death of Sir Lancelot and

Guinevere