Le Morte d’Arthur · Question
How does Le Morte d’Arthur develop the theme of Love and Adultery?
Answer
Le Morte d’Arthur by Thomas Malory develops Love and Adultery across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
Romantic love, often adulterous, shapes key relationships, such as the tragic love between Launcelot and Guenever and Tristram and Isoud, leading to personal and political ruin.
Uther's obsessive love for the married Igraine drives the conflict and sets up the central adulterous relationship.
Arthur's first sight of Guenever and his immediate love for her sets the stage for their future marriage and the tragic love triangle with Launcelot.
The damosel's suicide for love of Lanceor exemplifies the extreme devotion and tragedy associated with courtly love.
Evidence in the book
- How Sir Mordred presumed and took on him to be King of England, and would have married the queen, his father’s wife.
Uther's obsessive love for the married Igraine drives the conflict and sets up the central adulterous relationship.
- How Sir Launcelot Passed Over the Sea
Arthur's first sight of Guenever and his immediate love for her sets the stage for their future marriage and the tragic love triangle with Launcelot.
- How Sir Bedivere Found Him on the Morrow Dead in an Hermitage
The damosel's suicide for love of Lanceor exemplifies the extreme devotion and tragedy associated with courtly love.
- Of the opinion of some men of the death of King Arthur; and how Queen Guenever made her a nun in Almesbury
The lady Colombe kills herself for love of Lanceor, highlighting the tragic intensity of courtly love.
- XVI
Garnish's lady is found in the arms of another knight, highlighting themes of broken promises and illicit love.
- How Sir Mordred presumed and took on him to be King of England, and would have married the queen, his father’s wife.
Merlin covertly warns Arthur that Guenever and Launcelot will love each other, foreshadowing future adultery.
- The Siege of Benwick: Sir Gawaine's Challenge
Sir Pelleas's unrequited love for Lady Ettard drives his actions, including his willingness to be humiliated.
- How Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine did battle together, and how Sir Gawaine was overthrown and hurt
Sir Pelleas's unrequited love for Lady Ettard drives him to endure shame and suffering, illustrating the theme of love's power and folly.
