Le Morte d'Arthur: Volume 2

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

1252

Title

Le Morte d'Arthur: Volume 2

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Sir Thomas Malory's epic chronicle of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. This volume details the tragic romance of Tristram and Isoud, the spiritual quest for the Holy Grail by Galahad, Percivale, and Bors, and the eventual decline of Camelot through betrayal and madness.

Summary up to 500 words

In Volume II of *Le Morte d'Arthur*, Sir Thomas Malory shifts the narrative focus from the general glory of the Round Table to specific, often tragic, arcs. The volume is dominated by the turbulent story of Sir Tristram and his fatal love for Isoud. This romance is complicated by his jousting with the mysterious Sir Palomides, a knight who initially opposes Tristram but eventually becomes his devoted friend. Their relationship culminates in a series of intense battles, including a duel where Tristram unhorses King Arthur, before ending in a final, fatal confrontation between Tristram and Sir Launcelot. Parallel to this earthly drama, Sir Launcelot embarks on a profound spiritual journey to find the Sangreal (Holy Grail). He visits the hermitage of Sir Pelles, where he inadvertently fathers Galahad, the purest knight, through his union with Pelles's daughter, Elaine. Galahad, accompanied by Sir Percivale and Sir Bors, successfully achieves the Grail. They heal the Maimed King with the blood of the Holy Spear and ascend to a spiritual kingdom before departing for the City of Sarras. The volume concludes with the revelation of the Grail's secrets. The holy knights are fed by the Sangreal and receive a vision of Christ. Galahad, Percivale, and Bors depart on a ship to the spiritual realm, leaving the earthly realm behind. As the holy knights ascend, the tone of the book shifts to deepening sorrow. Launcelot's madness grows following his rebuke by Queen Guenever, and the court of Camelot prepares for the final, devastating events of the Arthurian legend. The departure of the Grail knights signifies the end of the quest for the Holy Vessel in the mortal world, leaving the remaining knights to face their own tragic fates.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Romance