The Book of Kyng Arthur: The Unity of Malory's Morte Darthur

by Charles Moorman

Beginning with a consideration of Malory's ingenious chronology, this study shows that Malory achieved thematic and structural unity by selecting from the great mass of Arthurian legend three narrative strands-the intrigues of Lancelot and Guinevere, the Grail quest, and the feud between the houses of Lot and Pellinore-using these to illustrate a single theme-the rise, flowering, and downfall of an ideal civilization. This selection and use of diverse materials, Charles Moorman asserts, indicates clearly that Malory set to work with a preconceived plan and that he did achieve his purpose, to write the "haole book of Kyng Arthur."

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A convincing argument as to how Mallory’s Mort D’’Artur is a unified book/story-though it was a bit dry at times.