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Comparing Thomas Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur to Lerner and Lowe's Camelot
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Comparing Thomas Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur to Lerner and Lowe's Camelot
Introduction
King Arthur is the most famous character in the world whose story has been told in
medieval courts of Europe and Broadway. This essay aims to analyze the changes in societal
expectations in Arthurian tradition with the help of the comparison of Thomas Malory's Le Morte
d'Arthur and Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's musical Camelot. From this comparison, it
is clear how each representation embodies their respective cultural and historical periods, from
the Medieval knightly codes to Renaissance humanism and, finally, the American pop culture of
the twentieth century.
I. Introduction to Thomas Malory and Le Morte d'Arthur
Thomas Malory, thought to have been born in the 15th century, is credited with writing
Le Morte d'Arthur. Little is known about Malory's biographical details despite some attempts at
portraying his life: it is known that he was a knight who spent much of his last years in jail,
where he presumably penned the work. Malory compiled his work from numerous sources, using
French and English romances predominantly, and the text is integrated clearly and systematically
to form a set of legends about Arthur. Le Morte d'Arthur, which was published by William
Caxton in 1485 and probably written circa 1470, is an account of all of these distinct stories in
one history that relates how Sir Uther Pendragon became the king of England, his reign in the
kingdom, and his passing as the king of Britain (Malory, 2004). This work has contributed to
Arthurian literature by painting its ethical picture of chivalry and illusion, though betrayal has
characterized Arthur’s world.
II. Characteristics of Arthur in Le Morte d'Arthur
Arthur as a Central Figure
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In Le Morte d'Arthur, Arthur is depicted as the pivotal character around whom life, reign,
and death revolve. Several aspects show how Malory represents Arthur; he is conceived and born
through a virgin mother with the aid of a wizard; Merlin rises to kingship by pulling a sword
from a stone and establishes the Round Table court in Camelot. The story's main concern would
be the character development of the protagonist, Arthur, a young, naïve king who transforms into
a wise ruling king (Malory, 2004). This complete portrayal of Arthur's life emphasizes him as a
legendary character whose acts determine the kingdom's destiny and his knights.
Arthur's Role as a Just and Noble King
Arthur and his virtues, such as wisdom, fairness, and leadership skills, are underlined
throughout Le Morte d'Arthur. In the play, he is depicted as the perfect medieval monarch or a
nobleman who adheres to the principles of chivalry and knighthood. One such example that
deserves mention is the creation of the Round Table, as its emblem stands for equality and
togetherness of his knights. This act shows a form of justice and fairness available to Arthur, a
fundamental value of his kingdom. The central thematic elements that support the portrayal of
the king and his royalty are Arthur's decisions and actions, like his openness to counsel and his
ability to foster loyalty among his knights (Malory, 2004). These qualities are essential for
ensuring the peace and sustaining of his kingdom despite the many threats that exist inside and
outside his dominion.
Arthur as a Tragic Hero
However, as the king of Britain, Arthur can also be described as a tragic hero in Le Morte
d'Arthur through the inherent follies in him as a character. He has weaknesses and finally falls,
but his fall and the events in his life are predetermined by fate and death. Even though Arthur
tries not to allow Guinevere and Lancelot to be intimate, the ensuing war from this event can
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make Arthur a tragic character. The words of the prophecy given by Merlin and the depiction of
Arthur's fate contribute to the story's pathos. His vices or shortcomings, including his unbending
conformity to the principles of chivalric honour and his strong belief in his knights as
invulnerable, cause the collapse of his kingdom, though otherwise regarded as a nobleman with
the virtue of loyalty to his words and his land. Arthur is depicted as a Ripon hero who loses his
life because of fate. This conforms to the medieval view of fatalism and the credo that earthly
glory is temporary.
III. Themes and Motifs in Le Morte d'Arthur
Chivalry and Knighthood
The strategic values of chivalry and knighthood are inherent in Le Morte d'Arthur. The
Round Table, created by Arthur, embodies the highest virtues of chivalry, inspiring his knights to
be brave, honoured, and courteous, among others. The society of the knights in this work
represents what Malory wanted his readers to see—courage, loyalty, and a sense of duty to fight
for the helpless and bring justice to the oppressed (Malory, 2004). The Round Table, for its part,
represents equality and fellowship and, much in keeping with Arthur’s vision of a just world, it
has no centre or circumference to speak of.
Essential to Arthurian legend, this chivalric code significantly affects Arthur's reign,
referencing the numerous quests performed by the knights. These are not only heroic quests to
prove one's physical abilities but also the hero's moral and spiritual worth, for example, the quest
to find the Holy Grail. One of the most enigmatic legends is the search for the Holy Grail, which
stands for the essential virtues of a knight. It takes more than muscles or courage; it takes
intelligence, an acute mind, a virtuous soul, and a clean conscience. While Sir Galahad
accomplishes this task, the character is painted as the perfect knight, his victory underscored by
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the religious elements of chivalry. Other quests and adventures featured in the Arthurian legends
of the Knights of Round Table demonstrate the chivalry codes. For example, during his
interaction with the Green Knight and other opponents, Sir Gawain fights according to the code
of chivalry. He faces challenges that reveal his fear, honesty, and ethical foundations. Lastly, they
provide a picture of a society that strived to achieve a specific goal of moral and ethical
perfection, as depicted by the medieval knights.
However, the adherence to the chivalric code also creates difficulties and contradictions
within the narrative. He portrays the conflict between honour and duty, where strict orders often
contradict man's natural wants and vices, leading to calamity (Malory, 2004). For instance, the
film portrays Sir Lancelot as a loyal knight fortified in the chivalric code, only to have his
infatuation for Queen Guinevere bring about the demise of Camelot. This conflict between
personal desire and duty presents one of the weaknesses and depth found in the works of
chivalry, thereby enriching the main plot and the characters.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Trust is a frequently used theme in the stories of Malory, revealing how easily it can be
broken and the consequences of such treachery for a close community. It is essential to examine
knights' loyalty in questions such as Sir Bedivere and Sir Bors against acts of betrayal, mainly
when Mordred was a traitor. Sir Bedivere, though a knight of the Round Table, never deserts the
king and stays loyal to the end, thereby signifying fidelity. He is loyal and honourable throughout
the film, especially during the scene where Grant’s dying wish to return Excalibur to the Lady of
the Lake.
A similar concept is manifested in Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot's love triangle, which
complicates the themes of betrayal and loyalty. Out of all these aspects, the love triangle between
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them is easily one of the story's saddest and most dramatic aspects. Lancelot is torn between two
loyalties: on the one hand, he is a knight of the Round Table who owes his allegiance to Arthur;
on the other, he is overwhelmed by passion for Guinevere. His treachery due to his love affair
with Queen Guinevere provokes dissension among the knights and undermines Arthur's power.
This treachery is a pivotal event in the story, ultimately leading to civil war and the destruction of
Camelot.
Another betrayal that leads to Arthur's kingdom's disintegration is Guinevere's adultery.
Her adultery with Lancelot is a betrayal of love, trust, and friendship and an assault on Camelot's
code of chivalry and order. Moreover, the readers can see how even such noble characters may
succumb to their human passions and weaknesses and how destructive such a betrayal could be
for a community based on the principles of honour and trust (Malory, 2004). The most apparent
betrayal is that of Mordred, who betrays his father, King Arthur, to Uther Pendragon. Mordred is
Arthur's illegitimate son who has bitter feelings towards his father and is power-hungry, going on
to overthrow Camelot against his father. His treachery is one of many acts that represent the
pervasiveness of betrayal, a recurring theme in the work, explaining the frailty of trust and
betrayal in human relationships.
These themes demonstrate vulnerability: the tenuous nature of the bond shared by the
humans of the show and the heart-wrenching devastation that results from the betrayal of that
trust. All these episodes of loyalty and treason give a feeling of human nature, its vices and
virtues, so humanity will never let a man create an ideal society with high moral and ethical
values. Thus, through these themes, Malory paints the picture of the Arthurian world's moral
struggle between one's passion, justice, and the general welfare of society.
IV. Conclusion and Transition to Camelot
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The pathos-filled complexity of Arthurian legend in its finest rendition by Malory
provides an immediate segue to the more choreographed chivalric themes of Lerner and Loewe's
Camelot. Le Morte d'Arthur describes the medieval world wherein knights embrace honour,
valiance, the code of chivalry, and courtly love. The Round Table and many expeditions that
characters undertake can be explained by chivalric codes of conduct typical for the medieval
period. At the same time, the loyalty and betrayal motifs speak of the instability of human bonds
and the collapse of even the most honourable kingdom. Thus, Malory's work remains one of the
most fascinating exemplifications of the eternal fascination with the chivalrous and individual
and collective ethical moral codes.
On the other hand, Camelot proposes a more contemporary and accurate interpretation of
the legend for the twentieth-century public that incorporates elements of Arthurian legends closer
to the actual situation. Lerner and Loewe created a musical that focused on an abstract concept of
a kingdom that represents justice and unanimity as well as the characters' psychological conflicts.
The aspects of idealism versus realism depicted in this version accurately capture the various
societal and political scenarios that prevailed during the 1960s. The relevance of the Arthurian
legend in different cultural and historical periods shows that the subject remains productive and
can give new colours and meaning to each epoch (White, 2015). In combination, Le Morte
d’Arthur and Camelot reaffirm the traditional structure of Arthurian stories and their ability to
entertain and engage readers across the ages.
I. Introduction to Alan Lerner and Camelot
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Alan Jay Lerner, a well-known American lyricist and librettist, is notable for writing
lyrics for the music composed by Frederick Loewe. Their Broadway musical, Camelot, first
staged in 1960, is based on T. H. White's The Once and Future King. The musical thus became
part of American culture, representing an era of hope and idealism. The elements of the Arthurian
Legend are reconsidered and adapted to the modern perspective and concern itself with issues of
love, betrayal, and the quest for an ideal kingdom and society. Of course, the 1967 film
adaptation only served to entrench itself into the American zeitgeist further and firmly connect it
to the Kennedy-inspired New Frontier of America's future (White, 2015).
II. Characteristics of Arthur in Camelot
Arthur as an Idealistic and Visionary King
In Camelot, Arthur is depicted as an innovative and principled monarch eager to unite a
fair and stable society. His ideas concerning the modern approaches to governance and justice,
including the Round Table, which he envisioned as a source of justice and equality, point to his
utopia. Arthur's dream demonstrates his progressive and forward-thinking vision of a society
where superior force is applied to justice and conflicts are solved by debate rather than force
(White, 2015). This is attainable to contemporary viewers in a way that captures the idealism of
the post-World War II era of the 1960s.
Arthur as a Relatable and Humanized Character
Arthur's character, developed by Lerner and Loewe, is humanized, and his challenges and
flaws are highlighted throughout the plot. His interactions with Guinevere and Lancelot involve
conflict and ambivalence, showing his realistic characteristics. Arthur's feelings of desolation,
fear, and rejection make him more relatable than other knights, making it easier for the audience
to identify with him (White, 2015). This humanization of Arthur can be compared to the
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protagonist in Le Morte d'Arthur; however, the latter is depicted as an almost deified figure,
which is quite opposite to the realistic tendencies of contemporary narratives.
Arthur as a Tragic Figure
In Arnold's story, Arthur is a tragic hero because he feels betrayed and fails in his vision.
Although he is noble in his intentions and efforts, the decline of the dream because of personality
clashes and political tension reflects the decay in Malory's work. Finally, the love quartet
between Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, and Mordred represents the failed idea of a perfect society,
shown through the conflicts and cheats. These themes only enrich the musically revealed facets
and emotional layers of the character of Arthur, who strives to construct a brighter world and
thus fails pathetically (White, 2015).
III. Themes and Motifs in Camelot
Idealism vs. Reality
An important theme that runs throughout Camelot is the concept of the 'illusion of the
real'. Despite the perfect ideals Arthur represents, Camelot's dream is tested, and society fails to
achieve those ideals. This theme remains close to modern viewers' hearts and concerns the
pursuit of high ideals in a more or less perfect society. A juxtaposition shows Arthur's high moral
grounds and the challenges he faces in the real world, which are part of the show's theme about
the pursuit of the perfect society. This theme is especially apt for the 1960s setting, a period of
social and political change, thus capturing the dreams and let-downs of that period (White,
2015).
Love and Loyalty
The critical plot of Camelot is built on the love triangle involving Arthur, Guinevere, and
Lancelot. Love and loyalty themes so vividly illustrated are neatly captured, as well as betrayal,
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which is present in Le Morte d'Arthur. The musical also explores the psychological and
emotional experiences behind these connections, focusing on struggles between personal needs
and standards of morality. That is also true for two main characters who love each other but have
passions and ambitions that demand betrayal. This is why this exploration of love and loyalty
brings a sense of realism and relevance to the story as it plays out for today's viewers.
The Fleeting Nature of Utopia
The idea of the transience of Camelot's prosperity and the longing for that which once
was are the themes carried throughout the show. The discussion of cyclical time as an element of
historical and cultural experience contemplates life and the impermanence of its idealisms. The
show's depiction of Camelot as a perfect world that shines bright only for a moment and then
disappears echoes the dream of classical America, beautiful as a fairy tale but existing only in
memories (White, 2015). This theme stresses the fall of the utopian principles and the need for
such a fall, as it demonstrates the correct, realistic perspective of human and social nature.
Conclusion
The essence of the character and its development over time, shifting by societal norms
and expectations, can be observed in the comparison of Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur to
Lerner and Loewe's Camelot. Malory makes his characters happy by portraying them with
chivalrous and courtly traits; simultaneously, the circumstances depicted in Camelot have a
modern view where the inherent conflict between good and evil, the real and the ideal, the fairy
and the satanic come into play. Both of these works depict how Arthurian legend continues to be
relevant in society and can be revised to capture the sentiments of any community in any specific
period. Topics such as love, faithfulness, treason, and fighting for a better future do not lose their
appeal today; therefore, the legend of King Arthur will remain an influential story for centuries.
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References
Malory, T. (2004). Le Morte d'Arthur (J. Cowen, Ed.). Penguin Classics.
White, R. S. (2015). Camelot and the vision of America: Studies in contemporary myth.
Routledge.
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