Morte Arthure(Lincoln Cathedral

MS 91, f. 53)

Morte Arthure(Lincoln Cathedral MS

91, f. 53v)

Octavian (Lincoln Cathedral MS

91, f. 98v)

Octavian (Lincoln Cathedral MS 91,

f. 99)

Sir Eglamour (Lincoln Cathedral MS 91, f.

138v.)

Prose Life of Alexander

(Lincoln Cathedral MS 91, f. 1)

Alliterative Morte Arthure and the Critics: five views of tragedy

o John Finlayson: not until after he beats Lucius does Arthur decline; AMA like a chanson de geste more than like a romance; contrasts wars just (for justice, end oppression, fight usurpation) and unjust (revenge, willfulness)

o Russell Peck: a Boethian tragedy of Arthur's willfulness: Sir Kay's death is the turning point (2171ff); unsurprising that Cradok doesn't recognize Arthur, since he's grown so proud

o William Matthews: a tragedy of Fortune (which requires, really, sin and death): critical of the hero and of war, although it retains the hero; vows in opening scene unChristian; Arthur a latter-day Alexander the Great (as Priamus notes), though at the end he'd rather have been a Christ-figure

o R. M. Lumiansky: another Boethian view, in which Arthur exhibits fortitude in the face of worldly demands; the turning point is the Tuscan campaign, where Arthur ceases to be virtuous until prompted by the dream, after which he dies restored to fortitude and not in wretchedness

o Larry Benson: as usual, a gothic structure: tension between Christian detachment necessary for ultimate happiness even on earth, and complete engagement with an earthly ideal that chivalric heroism requires; Arthur's fault is ascribing to the code in the first place, and it couldn't be avoided. Wastefulness of war contrasted with justness of war fought against usurpers and pagans. [hence: not an ethical but an existential exploration of chivalry?]

Critics (cont.)

Now grete glorious God through grace of HimselvenAnd the precious prayer of his pris ModerSheld us fro shamesdeede and sinful workesAnd give us grace to guie and govern us hereIn this wretched world, through virtuous livingThat we may kaire til his court, the kingdom of hevenWhen our soules shall part and sunder fro the bodyEver to beld and to bide in bliss with Himselven;And wisse me to warp out some word at this timeThat nother void be ne vain but worship til HimselvenPlesand and profitable to the pople that them heres. Ye that lust has to lithe or loves for to hereOf elders of olde time and of their awke deedes,How they were lele in their law and loved God AlmightyHerkenes me hendely and holdes you stille,And I shall tell you a tale that trew is and nobleOf the real renkes of the Round TableThat chef were of chivalry and cheftains nobleBoth wary in their workes and wise men of armes,Doughty in their doings and dredde ay shame,Kind men and courtais and couth of court thewes,How they won with war worshippes many,Slogh Lucius the lithere that lord was of Rome,And conquered that kingrik through craftes of armes;Herkenes now hiderward and heres this story!

Alliterative Morte Arthure, ll. 1-25

Cursor Mundi

(c. 1300)

Then answered Gawaine, it grieveth me but little, thy great words shall not fear me nor lessen my courage, but thou shalt suffer teen and sorrow or we depart, but tell me in haste who may staunch my bleeding. That may I do, said the knight, if I will, and so will I if thou wilt succour and aid me, that I may be christened and believe on God, and thereof I require thee of thy manhood, and it shall be great merit for thy soul. I grant, said Gawaine, so God help me, to accomplish all thy desire, but first tell me what thou soughtest here thus alone, and of what land and liegiance thou art of. Sir, he said, my name is Priamus, and a great prince is my father, and he hath been rebel unto Rome and overridden many of their lands. My father is lineally descended of Alexander and of Hector by right line. And Duke Joshua and Maccabaeus were of our lineage. I am right inheritor of Alexandria and Africa, and all the out isles, yet will I believe on thy Lord that thou believest on; and for thy labour I shall give thee treasure enough. I was so elate and hauteyn in my heart that I thought no man my peer, nor to me semblable. I was sent into this war with seven score knights, and now I have encountered with thee, which hast given to me of fighting my fill, wherefore sir knight, I pray thee to tell me what thou art.

* * * *NOW thanked be God, said the noble King Arthur. But what manner man is he that standeth by himself, him seemeth no prisoner. Sir, said Gawaine, this is a good man of arms, he hath matched me, but he is yielden unto God, and to me, for to become Christian; had not he have been we should never have returned, wherefore I pray you that he may be baptised, for there liveth not a nobler man nor better knight of his hands. Then the king let him anon be christened, and did do call him his first name Priamus, and made him a duke and knight of the Table Round.

Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book 5