Malory's Vision of Knighthood

Paper Summary:

Sir Arthur Malory's "Le Morte D'Arthur" presents, in one volume, a cumulative and syncretic vision of knighthood. A knight has several roles, and his worth depends on how well he fulfills them. Malory's knights are primarily defined by martial success, although the knights of the Grail Quest have a separate set of standards to live up to because of the spiritual component of their quest. This paper describes the defining characteristics of a Malorian knight and addresses apparent inconsistencies in the text. The knights' characteristics are prowess in feats of arms, lack of caution, courtesy and devotion to the fellowship and, by extension, to the state. Relationships with women are usually conducted along the lines of courtly love. The ascendancy in Book VI of "pure" knights like Galahad does not indicate inconsistency on Malory's part, but rather a change in the Arthurian world, a need for a new kind of knight for a new kind of quest.

From the Paper:

"Many knights disobey some of the guidelines for knightly conduct, but the sympathetic ones usually have a reasonable excuse. Arthur orders young boys killed to avert the prophesy of his death but this is not strongly condemned. Tristram cannot ride to the aid of Lord Segwerdes' abducted wife until her husband has tried to free her or it will be too obvious that Tristram is having an affair with her. Lancelot shamefully rides in a cart because he is in a terrible rush to reach Guinevere. Tristram technically commits treason by cuckolding his king, but a chapter heading within the tale of Tristram de Lyones is entitled "Here Begynneth the Treson of Kinge Marke That He Ordayned Agayne Sir Trystram." Of all the knights, Sir Gareth is probably the one who lives most in accordance with the chivalric ideal."

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