The tale of Gareth, besides being long, is one of the most complex in all Le Morte d'Arthur, both in plot and in its organization of textural and structural details. It will be possible here to suggest only its general place in the total tragedy. The tale brings together themes from the two preceding tales, "Arthur and King Lucius," and "Launcelot du Lake." As Launcelot kills Tarquin, so Gareth kills Bereuse. As Launcelot wears Kay's shield and armor, thus appearing to work for virtue's sake, not for personal glory, Gareth, using the same shield, does indeed work for virtue's sake — only Kay and Launcelot ever know of the shield.
His humble entry as a seeming cripple, his year in the kitchen, his meek toleration of Lynet's abuse, and his year of service to Lyonesse all suggest his humility. More perfectly than any other knight, Gareth lives by both the letter and the spirit of the Pentecostal oath established by Arthur at the end of "Tor and Pellanor." He is the embodiment of mercy, renouncing even the avenging justice — blood payment — most closely associated throughout the Morte d'Arthur with his brother Gawain. For all his love of Gawain, Gareth will not defend murder or vengeance even when Gawain is guilty of them. Seeing that Gawain is "evir vengeable," Gareth shuns him, seeking out Launcelot instead.
