Le Morte d'Arthur is a story about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table written by Sir Thomas Malory in the 15th century. It details Arthur's conception and birth and concludes with his death at the hands of his nephew Mordred. The characters were well known in English literature through earlier French stories. The story explores themes of conflict, betrayal, and the ideal of chivalry through the love triangle of Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot and the disunity it sows. In the end, Arthur is killed by Mordred while fighting to reclaim his lands, bringing an end to his reign.

1. Le Morte d’Arthur
Originally spelled “
Le Morte Darthur “
, Middle french for
the death of
Arthur .

2. King Arthur
legendary king of the Britons
(possibly based on a historical
figure In the 6th century but the
story has been retold too many
times to be sure said to have led
the knights of the round table at
camelot .

3. Sir Thomas Malory
• . The exact identity Of
auther “ Le Morte
D’Arthur has long
been the subject of
ongoing speculations ,
Owing the fact that a
number of minor
historical figures bore
the name of “Sir
Thomas Malory “

4. Middle English of Le Morte D ‘ Arthur
The middle english of Le Morte
D’Arthur is much closer to Early
Modern English than the middle
english of Chaucer’s Canterbury
Tales .
If the English is Modernized , it
reads almost like Elizabethan
english .

5. Le Morte D’Arthur
Is the story of king Arthur
and the knights of the round
Table , beginning with
Arthur’s conception and birth ,
concluding with his death at
the Hands of His #son Mordre
.
(Perhaps due to his choice of
name ?)

6. The characters of Arthur and his knights were already
Well-known in England.
In the beginning , these tales were mostly in French .
The Most influential group , Chre’tien de Troyes’
collection of five long tales , Introduced characters
such as launcelot , Gawin and percivial to the written
world of English (French ) Literature . By the
fourteenth century , the Arthurian tales had made their
way in English (ever heard of the prose romance

7. Conflict
Love Triangle, Vengeful Nephews, and
Lots of Drama
Arthur's goal after establishing the
Round Table is to have unity amongst
his knights, and to command the loyalty
and respect of the best knights in the
world. Unfortunately, Artie, that's a bit
of a pipe dream. Launcelot's love for
Gwenyvere obviously conflicts with this
goal, and the blood feud between the
families of Lot and Pellynore splits the
Round Table in two.

8. Complication
Caught in the Act!
Launcelot's affair with Gwenyvere has been going on for
a long time, but it's not until now that Aggravayne and
Mordred decide to do something about it. This really
throws a wrench in things, because now Arthur can't just
sit back and ignore it. It forces the knights in court to
take sides,(something that the feud between the families
of Pellynore and Lot has already sort of done) so battle-
lines form quickly. Launcelot's rescue of Gwenyvere,
who's about to be burned at the stake, leaves things
unresolved, though. The affair has ended, but nobody
has really been punished.

9. Climax
Arthur at War
All right, all right, he's been in several
wars. But this one's special, we swear.
He goes to war with Launcelot, of all
people. Of course the only possible
reason a king would go to war with his
favorite knight is a woman. So this war
is the inevitable end of Launcelot and
Gwenyvere's affair. Arthur can't ignore
what Launcelot has done; he has to
punish the guy somehow. And
Launcelot can't help fighting with
Arthur once he invades his lands.

10. Suspense
Uh Oh, a Coup
The war with Launcelot is still going on, but now Mordred's set himself up as King
of England, while Arthur's off, fighting over his Queen. Will Arthur be able to re-
claim his lands from Mordred? Will Gwenyvere allow herself to be married to
England's new ruler?

11. While malory was writing
(probably in prison , but
that’s another story ) ,
England was Knee –deep
in the Wars of Roses a
civil war .
Besides Reminding us of
the danger of in-fighting –
no matter what century
we are living in .

12. Questions
Le Morte asks plenty of questions
that are timless , no matter who’s
reading it . E.g what it means to be
great king , or a great man in
general .Is launcelot , the
undisputed battlefield champion
,the best knight in the world or is
his son ghalad , who rejects
earthly love and glory in favor of
all things spiritual , the idea
Knight .

13. Why should I care ?
Le morte d’Arthur has been one of
literature’s greatest influnces on pop
culture for the 600 years . You maybe
heard of The sword of stone ? Or star-
crossed lovers gwenyvere and launcelot
?

14. Denouement
Death and Reconciliation
Gawain's reconciliation with Launcelot symbolizes the end of the feuding between Arthur's
Knights, resolving that tension. Unfortunately, though, Arthur is not able to re-claim his lands
from Mordred without dying.

15. Conclusion
A Love Triangle Loses a Side. (Or Two. Or three.)
England loses a king.
With Arthur dead at the hands of Mordred, Launcelot
and Gwenyvere's affair is really at an end. Both of
them have now devoted themselves to God.
Launcelot's burial of Gwenyvere's body at Arthur's side
signals his final ceding of Gwenyvere to the King in
death, which is something he refused to do in life. And
so ends the reign of Arthur.