The Phaedra Complex Amour Courtois in Malory's ‘Morte D'Arthur’

Abstract

THE chief themes which distinguish themselves from the general patchwork of Malory's Arthurian amalgam are, the Quest of the Holy Grail, the story of Tristram and Isoud, Lancelot's love for Guenever, and Mordred's treachery. The Grail is a subject apart. It will be found, however, that the other three themes have features in common, and can be dealt with together. A summary of them will bring to light some aspects worthy of explanation. Sir Tristram, during a stay in Ireland, fights in a tournament on the command of Isoud, as her champion. On his departure he promises 'faithfully that I shall be all the days of my life your knight,' the keeping of which promise is later to involve him in difficulties. He returns to Cornwall, and there becomes involved in a quarrel with the king, King Mark, over a woman whom they both love. King Mark's jealousy of Sir Tristram is thus first aroused. Sir Tristram is King Mark's nephew, his sister's son. Eventually King Mark begins to think of some way to destroy Tristram, and 'then he imagined in himself to send Sir Tristram into Ireland for La Beale Isoud.' Tristram had talked of her