READING COLLECTIONS 4-8
Two Tales from Le Morte d'Arthur
"The Sword and the Stone" by Sir Thomas Mallory p1062-1067
As "The Sword and the Stone" begins, many feuding lords of noble birth have assembled to participate in the great test to determine the next king of Britain. Sir Ector, his son Sir Kay, and Arthur come to London to attend the tournament that follows.
After the English king dies leaving no heir, in the churchyard of a cathedral in London, a sword appears imbedded in a stone inscribed, "Who so pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil is rightwise king born of England." Although many try, no one can budge the sword from the stone. Deep in the dark woods, kind, but absent-minded Merlin the Magician begins to teach 11-year-old Arthur, who is called Wart, and lives in the castle of Sir Ector where he's an apprentice squire to burly, oafish Sir Kay -- when he's not washing stacks of pots and pans in the scullery. By being changed by Merlin into various animals, Wart learns the basic truths of life, but he also runs into the evil Madam Mim, who tries to destroy him. Merlin and Mim have a Wizards' Duel, during which each changes into various creatures, with Merlin using his wits to win. On New Year's Day, a great tournament is held in London to pick a new king. Wart, attending as Kay's squire, forgets Kay's sword, and runs back to the inn to get it, but the inn is locked. Wart, seeing the sword in the stone, innocently, and easily, pulls it out. When the knights marvel at the wondrous sword and question where he got it, Wart has to prove himself all over again, and again he pulls the sword from the stone. Wart is proclaimed king by the marveling warriors. Wart as King Arthur is apprehensive of his ability to govern, but Merlin returns to reassure him.
Literary Terms:Arthurian Legend, chronological order, flashback
Vocabulary: confronted, inscribed, tumultuous, realm, exhibit, recount, recurring
After the English king dies leaving no heir, in the churchyard of a cathedral in London, a sword appears imbedded in a stone inscribed, "Who so pulleth out this sword of this stone and anvil is rightwise king born of England." Although many try, no one can budge the sword from the stone. Deep in the dark woods, kind, but absent-minded Merlin the Magician begins to teach 11-year-old Arthur, who is called Wart, and lives in the castle of Sir Ector where he's an apprentice squire to burly, oafish Sir Kay -- when he's not washing stacks of pots and pans in the scullery. By being changed by Merlin into various animals, Wart learns the basic truths of life, but he also runs into the evil Madam Mim, who tries to destroy him. Merlin and Mim have a Wizards' Duel, during which each changes into various creatures, with Merlin using his wits to win. On New Year's Day, a great tournament is held in London to pick a new king. Wart, attending as Kay's squire, forgets Kay's sword, and runs back to the inn to get it, but the inn is locked. Wart, seeing the sword in the stone, innocently, and easily, pulls it out. When the knights marvel at the wondrous sword and question where he got it, Wart has to prove himself all over again, and again he pulls the sword from the stone. Wart is proclaimed king by the marveling warriors. Wart as King Arthur is apprehensive of his ability to govern, but Merlin returns to reassure him.
Literary Terms:Arthurian Legend, chronological order, flashback
Vocabulary: confronted, inscribed, tumultuous, realm, exhibit, recount, recurring
study_guide_for_the_sword_and_the_stone.doc | |
File Size: | 32 kb |
File Type: | doc |
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'The Tale of Sir Launcelot du Lake' by Sir Thomas Mallory p1069-1076
Of the 150 knights who served King Arthur, Sir Launcelot is Arthur's favorite. Although Launcelot is devoted to Arthur, he falls in love with Arthur's wife, Queen Gwynevere, causing great suffering for the unfortunate trio. As this legend begins, Arthur has just returned home from Rome, after conquering much of western Europe. Restless for adventure, he sets out on another journey and runs into Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's evil half sister. Famous for her enchantments, Morgan continually plots to destroy Arthur.
The main characters in “The Tale of Sir Lancelot Du Lake” are Sir Lancelot himself, and King Bagdemagus. The story marks the beginning of the end of Arthur’s round table. It takes place mainly, on the plains outside of Camelot. The story begins, with Sir Lancelot, and his nephew Sir Lyonel, setting off to seek adventure. The conflict arises when Lancelot is enchanted, and taken prisoner, by Morgan le Fay. In captivity, he encounters a young noble woman, who offers to free him in exchange, for his services. The young woman’s father King Bagdemagus needs Lancelot’s aid in an upcoming tournament, with the King of North Galys.
After being freed, Lancelot then sets out, to meet with King Bagdemagus. He inadvertently arose into a conflict with Sir Belleus who he wounded. While realizing the misunderstanding, Lancelot vows to recommend Sir Belleus to King Arthur.
At daylight Lancelot goes and to meet with King Bagdemagus, and his daughter. A few days later Lancelot and Bagdemagus went on to the tournament near Abby. The King of North Galys has killed several of King Bagdemagus’ knights before Lancelot took the field.
Lancelot quickly evened the score. The three Knights of the Round Table were the last to fight. First Lancelot incapacitated Sir Madore. Then he defeated Sir Madore. At last he faced Sir Gahalantyne; Lancelot bludgeoned Sir Gahalantyne, and unhorsed sixteen more of the King of North Galys Knights. Later, the prize was awarded to King Bagdemagus.
Literary Terms: Romantic Literature, chivalry, summarize, archetypes, paraphrasing, Heroism
Vocabulary: ignominiously, adversary, sovereign, vehemently, cell
The main characters in “The Tale of Sir Lancelot Du Lake” are Sir Lancelot himself, and King Bagdemagus. The story marks the beginning of the end of Arthur’s round table. It takes place mainly, on the plains outside of Camelot. The story begins, with Sir Lancelot, and his nephew Sir Lyonel, setting off to seek adventure. The conflict arises when Lancelot is enchanted, and taken prisoner, by Morgan le Fay. In captivity, he encounters a young noble woman, who offers to free him in exchange, for his services. The young woman’s father King Bagdemagus needs Lancelot’s aid in an upcoming tournament, with the King of North Galys.
After being freed, Lancelot then sets out, to meet with King Bagdemagus. He inadvertently arose into a conflict with Sir Belleus who he wounded. While realizing the misunderstanding, Lancelot vows to recommend Sir Belleus to King Arthur.
At daylight Lancelot goes and to meet with King Bagdemagus, and his daughter. A few days later Lancelot and Bagdemagus went on to the tournament near Abby. The King of North Galys has killed several of King Bagdemagus’ knights before Lancelot took the field.
Lancelot quickly evened the score. The three Knights of the Round Table were the last to fight. First Lancelot incapacitated Sir Madore. Then he defeated Sir Madore. At last he faced Sir Gahalantyne; Lancelot bludgeoned Sir Gahalantyne, and unhorsed sixteen more of the King of North Galys Knights. Later, the prize was awarded to King Bagdemagus.
Literary Terms: Romantic Literature, chivalry, summarize, archetypes, paraphrasing, Heroism
Vocabulary: ignominiously, adversary, sovereign, vehemently, cell
study_guide_for_the_tale_of_sir_launcelot_du_lake.doc | |
File Size: | 38 kb |
File Type: | doc |