The Death of King Arthur: The Immortal Legend

What seems to characterize a good knight in the story? What characterizes a bad knight? Do you agree with these distinctions?

Evaluate Arthur’s kingship as presented in the book. Was he a good king? What were his flaws?

What do you think of the Lancelot-Guinevere relationship? Do you support it? Is there any justification for their love affair?

In the story of Tristram and Isolde, the two lovers struggle with the line between duty and love. Which do you think is more important? Which does Malory suggest is more important? Do you agree with both characters’ behaviors in the course of their love?

Galahad is the one who finally attains the Holy Grail after Lancelot first catches a glimpse of it. Evaluate the other knights in Arthur’s court. Why are they less worthy of the Grail?

It seems that Arthur’s primary trouble comes from family members or distant relatives (Morgan, Mordred, etc.). Why do you think Arthur’s deadliest enemies come from his own family, and what is the story trying to communicate about the nature of family ties?

Agravain and Mordred’s exposure of Lancelot’s affair with Guinevere causes the collapse of Arthur's reign. Was this right of Agravain and Mordred to do? Should the love affair have been kept secret to preserve the kingdom, or were Agravain and Mordred acting on right principles?

Lancelot is called the greatest knight of them all. Is this title warranted? If so, why? If not, why do you disagree, and who do you think deserves the label instead?