Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

“The Day of Destiny”from Le Morte d’Arthur

BySir Thomas Malory

Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

Arthur’s Dream

• “He was appareled in gold cloth and seated in a chair which stood on a pivoted scaffold. Below him, many fathoms deep, was a dark well, and in the water swam serpents, dragons, and wild beasts. Suddenly the scaffold tilted and Arthur was flung into the water, where all the creatures struggled toward him and began tearing him limb from limb.” (216)

Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

Arthur’s Dream

• Beasts of the water– Serpents• symbol of evil and deception– Sir Modred

• Foreshadowing the death of King Arthur?

Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

Arthur’s Dream

• Vision of Sir Gawain– Begs King Arthur not to battle Sir

Modred tomorrow.– Wait for Lancelot to come back and he

will defeat Sir Modred

Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

Characteristics of King Arthur

• Hero– Honorable– Brave– “Super-natural”

Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

The Snake

• Bites the knight• The knight pulls out his sword to kill

the serpent• As soon as the sword is drawn,

both sides see it as an act of war.• Because of the serpent, many

people die• Allusion?– The serpent in the Garden of Eden

Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

The Honorable Knights

• The knights give their lives for King Arthur

• Sir Lucas the Butler– Dies trying to comfort and protect

King Arthur

• Sir Bedivere the Bold– Lives with the monk to honor King

Arthur

Geschke/British Literature The Day of Destiny

The End of King Arthur?

• Tomb stone inscription:– “Here lies Arthur, the once and future

king.”

• Legend– Some believe Arthur did not die and

the he will return Britain to glory.