Le Morte d’Arthur · Question
How does Le Morte d’Arthur develop the theme of Chivalry and Knighthood?
Answer
Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory develops Chivalry and Knighthood across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
The book explores the ideals and failures of knighthood, including codes of honor, prowess in battle, loyalty, and the moral obligations of knights, as seen in the deeds of Arthur, Launcelot, and others.
The chapter depicts the formal knighting of Griflet and the chivalric obligation to joust, highlighting the ideals and perils of knighthood.
The introduction of the Round Table and the early adventures of knights like Gawaine and Tor highlight the code of chivalry.
Gawaine is rebuked for lacking mercy, a key knightly virtue, and is later bound by oath to be courteous and merciful to ladies.
Evidence in the book
- XXII
The chapter depicts the formal knighting of Griflet and the chivalric obligation to joust, highlighting the ideals and perils of knighthood.
- Book III
The introduction of the Round Table and the early adventures of knights like Gawaine and Tor highlight the code of chivalry.
- How Sir Lancelot Heard of the Death of King Arthur and of Sir Gawaine
Gawaine is rebuked for lacking mercy, a key knightly virtue, and is later bound by oath to be courteous and merciful to ladies.
- How Sir Launcelot Departed to Seek the Queen Guenever
Sir Tor demonstrates knightly prowess by jousting and defeating two knights, then showing mercy by accepting their surrender and sending them to King Arthur.
- How Sir Launcelot Began to Sicken, and After Died, Whose Body Was Borne to Joyous Gard for to Be Buried
Pellinore's quest to recover the lady and his willingness to fight for her honor exemplify the knightly duty to protect the helpless.
- How Sir Ector found Sir Launcelot his brother dead, and how Constantine reigned next after Arthur; and of the end of this book.
King Pellinore's promise to treat the lady with no villainy and his acceptance of lodging from a fellow knight exemplify knightly honor and courtesy.
- How Sir Launcelot Passed Over the Sea
The jousts and the subsequent reconciliation between Sir Marhaus and Sir Gawaine exemplify knightly honor and brotherhood.
- How King Arthur and Sir Gawaine made a great host ready to go over sea to make war on Sir Launcelot
The knights choose damosels based on courtesy and need, demonstrating chivalric ideals of protection and service.
