CliffsNotes on

Le Morte d'Arthur

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About the Author

The Life of Malory
Malory and the Legend of Arthur

About the Work

Introduction
A Brief Synopsis
List of Characters
The Text

Summaries and Commentaries

Book I. The Tale of King Arthur: Merlin
Book I. The Tale of King Arthur: The Knight with the Two Swords
Book I. The Tale of King Arthur: Tor and Pellanor
Book I. The Tale of King Arthur: The Death of Merlin and the War with the Five Kings; Arthur and Accolon; Gawain, Ywain, and Marhault
Book II: Arthur and King Lucius
Book III: Sir Launcelot Du Lake
Book IV: The Tale of Sir Gareth
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Isode (Isolde) the Fair
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Lamerok of Wales; Sir La Cote Male Tale
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Tristram’s Madness and Exile; The Castle of Maidens
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: The Round Table
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: King Mark
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Alexander the Orphan
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: The Tournament at Surluse
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Joyous Gard
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: The Red City
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: The Tournament at Lonezep
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Sir Palomydes
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Launcelot and Elayne
Book V. Sir Tristram De Lyones: Conclusion
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: The Departure
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: The Miracles
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: Sir Percival
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: Sir Launcelot
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: Sir Gawain
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: Sir Bors
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: Sir Galahad
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: The Castle of Corbenic
Book VI. The Tale of the Holy Grail: The Miracle of Galahad
Book VII. Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere: The Poisoned Apple
Book VII. Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere: The Fair Maid of Astalot
Book VII. Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere: The Great Tournament
Book VII. Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere: The Knight of the Cart
Book VII. Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere: The Healing of Sir Urry
Book VIII. The Death of King Arthur: Slander and Strife
Book VIII. The Death of King Arthur: The Vengeance of SirGawain
Book VIII. The Death of King Arthur: The Siege of Benwick
Book VIII. The Death of King Arthur: The Day of Destiny
Book VIII. The Death of King Arthur: The Death of Sir Launcelot and Queen Guinevere

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Study Help

Quiz

1:  With Merlin’s help, how does Uther Pendragon persuade Igrayne to have an affair with him?

a. He transforms into the image of her husband.

b. He seduces her with wealth and power.

c. He threatens to wage war against the Duke of Cornwall.

d. He uses powerful herbs to confuse her.
2:  Why does Merlin tells King Arthur to kill all children born on May Day?

a. Because they were all born under an evil spell

b. Because they will all die a shameful death

c. Because the boy who will destroy Arthur is among them

d. Because a new magician, more powerful than Merlin, was born that day
3:  Why does Sir Balyn behead the Lady of the Lake?

a. She knows his secret.

b. He is jealous that she gave Arthur a sword.

c. She murdered his mother.

d. She disrespects Arthur’s court
4:  Sir Pellanor refuses to help his

a. sister

b. daughter

c. mother

d. aunt
5:  How must Sir Launcelot repay the maiden who saves him from Morgan le Fay?

a. He must marry her.

b. He must grant her one wish at a later date.

c. He must duel with Sr. Bagdemagus.

d. He must win a tournament for her father.
6:  How does Lynet finally come to approve of Sir Gareth?

a. Gareth defeats the Green Knight.

b. Gareth vanquishes the Red Knight of the Red Lands.

c. Gareth overcomes the Black Knight.

d. Gareth is victorious over the Brown Knight without Pity.
7:  Why does King Melyodas’ new wife wish to kill Tristram?

a. Tristram is heir to the throne.

b. Tristram is disrespectful of the king.

c. Tristram stands between her and Melyodas.

d. Tristram is loyal to King Mark.
8:  Why does Tristram go mad?

a. He is tortured in prison.

b. He discovers that Isode is having an affair.

c. He is shipwrecked on an island.

d. He will not consummate his marriage.
9:  Why does Maledysaunt mock La Cote Male Tale?

a. She recognizes his cowardice.

b. He shows no mercy for those he fights.

c. She fears for his safety.

d. She thinks the other knights will pale in comparison.
10:  Mark swears on a Bible that he will be Tristram’s

a. lifelong enemy

b. faithful lord

c. generous uncle

d. anonymous provider
11:  What is Gareth’s reaction to his brothers’ murder of Lamerok?

a. Relief

b. Joy

c. Disinterest

d. Disgust
12:  Why does Launcelot lie with Elayne?

a. He is tricked.

b. He wants a son.

c. He loves her.

d. He tires of being alone.
13:  Why does Launcelot refuse to draw the sword from the floating stone?

a. He knows he is not the best knight in the world.

b. He wants Galahad to have the honor of drawing the sword.

c. He does not want to fall under the sword’s curse.

d. He knows he will not be able to remove the sword.
14:  How does Melliagaunce know that Launcelot and Guinevere are lovers?

a. He sees the two lovers in a dream and asks a hermit to explain what he saw.

b. He overhears a conversation between Launcelot and Guinevere.

c. He sees blood from Launcelot’s wounded hand on Guinevere’s bed sheet.

d. He explains his love for Guinevere, and she tells him she is in love with Launcelot.
15:  How does King Arthur die?

a. He is mortally wounded by Mordred.

b. He is mortally wounded by Launcelot.

c. He is heartbroken over Guinevere’s betrayal.

d. He is killed by robbers who overtake the battlefield.



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