Death of King Arthur (La Mort Le Essay

Death of King Arthur (La Mort le ROI Artu) is not just one of many Medieval tales about the legendary King and his knights, some claim it is the best. It is actually the third part of a much larger work which also includes Lancelot, the Quest for the Holy Grail, and of course, The Death of King Arthur. The first two parts of the story deal with Arthur's establishment of his kingdom, the formation of the Round Table, and the quest for the Holy Grail. The final part of the story deals with the aftermath of the quest, the betrayal of the King by Lancelot and Guinevere, and the final battle on the plains of Salisbury; which results in the death of King Arthur. Throughout the tale the theme of religion plays an important part in the story, from Arthur's insistence that his knights swear to uphold the teachings of the Church, to the quest for the cup that held the blood of Christ. In the Medieval world, from which this story comes, the Church played an important role in everyday life. In fact, for the majority of the people in the Medieval Period, religion was the central focus of all life. The importance of religion in the everyday lives of the people is evident throughout the story of The Death of King Arthur.

The three parts of the story are often referred to as the "Vulgate Cycle," although sometimes they are referred to as the "Prose Lancelot," and religion plays an important role in all three parts. In the Lancelot part of the story, the role of Merlin is symbolic of the role of Paganism in the world. His downfall is symbolic of the downfall of Paganism and the rise of Christianity. Likewise, the second part of the story is the "Quest for the Holy Grail." The Holy Grail was the cup used at the Last Supper and also held the blood of Christ, there could be no greater symbol of Christianity that the quest to find this cup; for the quest to find the Grail is the quest to find salvation in one's self. Arthur is also insistent that his knights respect the teachings of the Church as well as behave in a chivalrous way. The concept of Chivalry was based upon Christian teachings about charity, forgiveness, compassion toward, not only one's enemies but also the people in one's everyday life.

As in Lancelot and The Quest for the Grail, religion also plays an important theme in The Death of King Arthur; especially the ideals of redemption and forgiveness. This part of the story begins at the point after the quest for the Grail was finished and many of Arthur's Knights were either killed or missing. It is then that Lancelot and Guinevere re-initiate their affair that had ended during the quest. Lancelot had repented his sin of Adultery during the quest, and had ended his affair with Guinevere, but after the quest was finished, Lancelot slips back into his sinful ways. He is forced to slowly, over the course of the story, regain his salvation through actions consistent with the role of a chivalrous Christian Knight.

However, before that time Lancelot is faced with many moral dilemmas; should he rescue Guinevere even though she is guilty and the law requires her death? Should he fight against his own lord Arthur? Should he eventually give Guinevere back to Arthur? Lancelot is forced to walk a very thin line between his Christian moral obligations and his personal feelings, something people must face in….....