|
|
Sold Out
Book Categories |
'Lancelot has brought me such great shame as to dishonour me through my wife, I shall never rest till they are caught together'
Recounting the final days of Arthur, this thirteenth-century French version of the Camelot legend, written by an unknown author, is set in a world of fading chivalric glory. It depicts the Round Table diminished in strength after the Quest for the Holy Grail, and with its integrity threatened by the weakness of Arthur's own knights. Whispers of Queen Guinevere's infidelity with his beloved comrade-at-arms Sir Lancelot profoundly distress the trusting King, leaving him no match for the machinations of the treacherous Sir Mordred. The human tragedy of The Death of King Arthur so impressed Malory that he built his own Arthurian legend on this view of the court – a view that profoundly influenced the English conception of the 'great' King.
James Cable's translation brilliantly captures all the narrative urgency and spare immediacy of style. In his introduction, he examines characterization, narrative style, authorship and the work's place among the different versions of the Arthur myth.
| Price | Condition | Delivery | Seller | Action |
| $99.99 | Digital |
| WonderClub |
Jerry Marino
reviewed The Death of King Arthur on March 07, 2018 The Death of King Arthur
The Death of King Arthur is a surprisingly modern version of the whole Matter of Britain cycle. Although it was written in the early 13th century, it dwells on the problems of kingship more than on the mythic elements of magicians, giants, witches, Holy Grails. Those elements it takes as a given rather than as a plot element of the story as it unfolds. Merlin is mentioned only once. The only mythic element in real time is when Excalibur is thrown into the lake, and a hand comes up from the water, grasps it, and takes it down.
Lancelot is the real hero of the story. He is guilty as charged of adultery with the queen, Guinevere. Although Arthur is understandably upset and strikes back at his greatest knight, Lancelot in turn is still loyal to Arthur and saves his life once or twice, which makes Arthur think. There's something about being able to handle several contradictory ideas at one time which is very modern.
Toward the end of the book, the anonymous author reveals that Lancelot's age is 55, Gawain is 76, and Arthur is 92. And Guinevere is in her 50s. Certainly not the picture I had in my mind!
The Death of King Arthur is without a doubt the best of the Arthurian stories -- and there are many competing versions, ranging from Geoffrey of Monmouth to Wace to Layamon to Chretien de Troyes to the anonymous French authors and finally to Sir Thomas Mallory.
Login|Complaints|Blog|Games|Digital Media|Souls|Obituary|Contact Us|FAQ
CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? CLICK HERE!!! X
You must be logged in to add to WishlistX
This item is in your Wish List
X
This item is in your Collection
The Death of King Arthur
X
This Item is in Your Inventory
The Death of King Arthur
X
You must be logged in to review the productsX
X
X
Add The Death of King Arthur, 'Lancelot has brought me such great shame as to dishonour me through my wife, I shall never rest till they are caught together' Recounting the final days of Arthur, this thirteenth-century French version of the Camelot legend, written by an unknown aut, The Death of King Arthur to the inventory that you are selling on WonderClubX
X
Add The Death of King Arthur, 'Lancelot has brought me such great shame as to dishonour me through my wife, I shall never rest till they are caught together' Recounting the final days of Arthur, this thirteenth-century French version of the Camelot legend, written by an unknown aut, The Death of King Arthur to your collection on WonderClub |