The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights

“‘But you should be glad that you will have a clean and honorable death. I am the one who should be sad, for my death is to be shameful and ugly and ridiculous.’” 

Merlin foretells both Arthur’s death and his own. Knowing events before they happen doesn’t mean he can do anything to thwart destiny. He bemoans his own fate even as he rushes with open arms to meet it. 

“‘Somewhere in the world there is defeat for everyone. Some are destroyed by defeat, and some made small and mean by victory. Greatness lives in one who triumphs equally over defeat and victory.’” 

After Arthur sulkily complains that he’s been beaten in battle and lost his sword, Merlin reminds him that Arthur isn’t exempt from failure. Because of Arthur’s youth, Merlin frequently offers advice on how to be a man as well as how to be a king. 

“‘Fair lady, a man’s worth is not in his clothing. Manhood and honor are hidden inside. And sometimes virtues are not known to everyone.’” 

While Balin’s comment is meant to deflect criticism of his ragged attire, it contains an ironic meaning. Although Balin does prove his worthiness by withdrawing the damsel’s sword, he also proves his pettiness by refusing to give it back when she asks for it. He will make similar errors in judgment throughout his quest.

“‘Every man who has ever lived holds tight to the belief that for him alone the laws of probability are canceled out by love.’” 

Merlin has just predicted that if Arthur marries Guinevere, she will prove untrue. Arthur refuses to believe this prophecy. Once again, his innocence and optimism override the unpleasant facts of reality. 

“They swore never to use violence without good purpose, never to fall to murder or treason. They swore on their honor to be merciful when mercy was asked and to protect damsels, ladies, gentlewomen and widows, to enforce their rights and never enforce lust on them. And they promised never to fight in an unjust cause or to fight for personal gain.” 

This quote directly states the tenets of the code of chivalry. It is uttered after three knights have returned from separate quests that fail or succeed in matching up to this ideal. All the subsequent quests in the narrative refer to these fundamental principles, either implicitly or explicitly. 

“‘In the combat between wisdom and feeling, wisdom never wins. I have told you your certain future, my lord, but knowing will not change it by a hair. When the time comes, your feeling will conduct you to your fate.’” 

In this quote, Merlin defines destiny to be something quite different than the common notion of unseen forces directing lives. He implies that destiny is the natural result of people following their deepest impulses rather than common sense or self-interest. In this sense, destiny sounds exactly like free will. 

“Then Nyneve, with the inborn craft of maidens, began to question Merlin about his magic arts […] And Merlin, with the inborn helplessness of men, even though he foresaw her purpose, could not forbear to teach her.” 

Merlin has already prophesied his own doom but continues to behave like a lovestruck old fool. His deepest desire is to possess Nyneve. Her deepest desire is to possess magical power. The quote suggests that these mismatched objectives are greater than the individuals who express them; they are gender-based and innate. 

“For men believe beyond proof to the contrary that blood is thicker than water and that a beautiful woman cannot be evil. Thus, Morgan played a deadly game with Arthur’s honesty and innocence.” 

This quote offers another sly observation about male folly in the face of female beauty. Morgan uses her gender advantage on a number of occasions with targets other than Arthur. Although she wields great magical power, she also knows how to use attractiveness to wield power.

“‘With knowledge there is no hope,’ he said. ‘Without hope I would sit motionless, rusting like unused armor.’” 

Arthur’s observation suggests something other than innocence. He refuses to believe Merlin’s prediction about Guinevere, not simply because he’s trusting and in love. His decision may be motivated by a desire to remain in a state of denial to preserve his own peace of mind. 

“‘There is no gratefulness in the world any more. A man must look after himself. And I will from now on. It is a lesson to me.’” 

Gawain gives himself this bit of advice after having betrayed Pelleas. Rather than feeling shame or embarrassment for seducing his friend’s lady love, he shifts the blame to preserve his self-esteem. This ridiculous comment demonstrates the depth of Gawain’s conceit and self-absorption. 

“For there is no loneliness like that of one who can only give and no anger like that of those who only receive and hate the weight of debt.” 

Nyneve’s behavior shifts radically over the course of the narrative. She begins as a villain when she imprisons Merlin. Later, she tries to save Arthur from Morgan and begins to use her magic to help others. Sadly, she learns that the more she gives, the more she is hated. 

“‘A knight venturing.’ The dark man laughed. ‘I know your kind, a childish dream world resting on the shoulders of less fortunate men.’” 

Marhalt and his guide encounter a peasant during their quest. This comment offers a rare glimpse into the attitude of the common man during Arthur’s reign. No matter how gloriously the knights of Camelot view themselves, their lifestyle is supported by the toil of the lower orders. 

“‘What man in this man’s world would admit he got his manners from a woman? […] Lesson them, train them, teach them, harden them, sharpen them, and test them, and only then release a perfect fighting instrument on the world. It is my revenge and my triumph.’” 

Lady Lyne offers this bitter comment after Ewain’s training is completed. Because none of her former students would dare admit that their fighting skills were honed by a woman, her contribution remains unacknowledged. Sending these pupils out into the world to die gives her the last laugh. 

“‘A woman with a man’s body would be a champion. You will be a reasonably good knight, but your very manness will limit you.’” 

On more than one occasion, Lyne points out the ruthlessness of women compared to men. Although she compliments Ewain’s progress, he will never be lethal enough to suit her. Perhaps her own rage at her restricted gender role is what makes her the best fighter. 

“Then Arthur learned, as all leaders are astonished to learn, that peace, not war, is the destroyer of men; tranquility rather than danger is the mother of cowardice, and not need but plenty brings apprehension and unease.” 

Later chapters of the narrative compare the fitness and vitality of Arthur’s knights during wartime to the sloth they enjoy once peace has been achieved. This comment is the lament made by all militaristic societies in every age. Without an enemy to attack, an army loses its reason for being. 

“Like all unused men, Lancelot grew restless and then irritable, and then angry. He found pains in his body and flaws in his disposition which were not there before.” 

This observation about Lancelot’s restlessness during peacetime may have great implications for his relationship with Guinevere. If he had no free time to become discontented with himself, he might never have sought her arms to find relief. She may offer the only antidote to his self-loathing. 

“‘It is one thing to make oneself great but quite another to try to be not small. I think that every man wants to be larger than himself and that he can be only if he is part of something immeasurably larger than himself.’” 

Guinevere offers this surprisingly insightful comment about human psychology. Her voice is rarely heard in the narrative, but this comment alone suggests that she might be a better ruler than her naïve, optimistic husband. Her plan to send knights out to enforce the King’s Justice solves the problem of an idle army with one stroke. 

“‘It seemed to me that through that knight I became valuable in the world. I feel myself to be a little precious because of him.’” 

Guinevere’s comment allows the reader to understand the enforced passivity of her role. She is never allowed to participate in the affairs of the world. She can only achieve personal meaning second-hand when one of her knights sends captives back to her for judgment. 

“‘The young men will be looking for greatness in themselves, and they will find parcels and packages not so great, and spoils and tangles of darkness. They will wonder whether you ever had doubts.’” 

Lyonel asks his uncle for guidance, but Lancelot refuses to acknowledge any self-doubt. The older man fears that disclosing his weaknesses would simply allow the younger knights to excuse their own spineless behavior. His words demonstrate extreme defensiveness about maintaining his reputation for perfection.

“Then, in one man he saw a combat more savage than ever he had seen between two, saw wounds given and received and a heart riven to bursting. And he saw victory, too.” 

Just as Lancelot is about to kill Lyonel for his impertinence, Lyonel sees the struggle he’s been trying to get his uncle to admit. The reader, too, becomes aware that Lancelot’s most difficult battles are being waged invisibly in his own mind. 

“The young knight loved this uncle and wanted to protect him from the mold of the little evil which is disappointed meanness of small men who dress their poverty and nakedness in cynicism.” 

Questing with Lancelot has allowed Lyonel to have a better understanding of his uncle. The younger man has surrounded himself with do-nothings as court and always shared their view that Lancelot is idealistic and out of touch. Lyonel now finds this idealism endearing and rejects the small-mindedness of his former friends. 

“‘There lies the fear, for wizards and witches are children, living in a world they made without the leavening of pity or the mathematics of organization. And what could be more frightening than a child with total power?’” 

Lancelot offers this comment to the four witches who tempt him at Maiden’s Castle. He has already admitted to himself at an earlier point that nothing in the world frightens him except magic because he has no means to fight it. This observation reveals the reason for his dread and well as offering insight into the narcissistic mindset that causes some people to seek absolute power through magic. 

“‘And a heart that will not break under the great blows of fate can be eroded by the nibbling of numbers, the creeping of days, the numbing treachery of littleness, of important littleness.’” 

Sir Kay explains how he has become a fearful man. Although he was once a formidable fighter, his appointment as Arthur’s seneschal has destroyed his courage. He is bedeviled and overwhelmed by the minutiae of running a castle. This is the affliction of all bean-counters.