Ms. Johnson English 10

The Once and Future King

Survival Guide

Name: ____________________Block: _____

BackgroundImportant Dates:600 BC

Often considered the start of English history (rather than Celtic), this is also when construction of Old Sarum began: The modern city of Salisbury began its history two miles to the north of its present location, on top of the iron age hillfort known as Old Sarum. This impressive earthwork consists of an outer defensive wall and an inner rampart rising at an angle of over 45 degrees and measuring 40 feet from trough to top. The fortification, named Sorviodunum in Roman times, was occupied successively by the Romans, the Saxons, the Danes, and finally by the Norman conquerors of England. Old Sarum was the site, in 1070, where William I disbanded his conquering army after having finally subdued the country four years after the invasion of 1066. [britannia.com]

AD 597Augustine of Canterbury (first third of the 6th century – probably 26 May 604) was a Benedictine monk

who became the first Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 597. He is considered the "Apostle to the English" and a founder of the English Church.

Augustine was the prior of a monastery in Rome when Pope Gregory the Great chose him in 595 to lead a mission, usually known as the Gregorian mission, to Britain to Christianize King Æthelberht and his Kingdom of Kent from Anglo-Saxon paganism. Kent was probably chosen because Æthelberht had married a Christian princess, Bertha, daughter of Charibert I the King of Paris, who was expected to exert some influence over her husband. Before reaching Kent, the missionaries had considered turning back, but Gregory urged them on, and in 597, Augustine landed on the Isle of Thanet and proceeded to Æthelberht's main town of Canterbury.

King Æthelberht converted to Christianity and allowed the missionaries to preach freely, giving them land to found a monastery outside the city walls. Augustine was consecrated as a bishop and converted many of the king's subjects, including thousands during a mass baptism on Christmas Day in 597. Pope Gregory sent more missionaries in 601, along with encouraging letters and gifts for the churches, although attempts to persuade the native Celtic bishops to submit to Augustine's authority failed. Roman bishops were established at London and Rochester in 604, and a school was founded to train Anglo-Saxon priests and missionaries. Augustine also arranged the consecration of his successor, Laurence of Canterbury. The archbishop probably died in 604 and was soon revered as a saint.

AD 725Bede (672/673-735), also referred to as Saint Bede or the Venerable Bede, was an English monk. He is well

known as an author and scholar, and his most famous work, Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum (The Ecclesiastical History of the English People) gained him the title "The Father of English History".

As Chapter 66 of his On the Reckoning of Time, in 725 Bede wrote the Greater Chronicle (chronica maiora). An expert follows: “They had at that time for their leader, Ambrosius Aurelianus, a man of worth, who alone, by chance, of the Roman nation had survived the storm, in which his parents, who were of the royal race, had perished. Under him the Britons revived, and offering battle to the victors, by the help of God, gained the victory. From that day, sometimes the natives, and sometimes their enemies, prevailed, till the year of the siege of Badon-hill, when they made no small slaughter of those enemies, about forty-four years after their arrival in England. But of this hereafter.” Although Bede makes no mention of “Arthur,” this leader is believed to be one of the historical figures upon which the legend is based. (This is also the basis of the 2004 film King Arthur.)[wikipedia; britannia.com]

1066The Battle of Hastings was fought on 14 October 1066 between the Norman-French army of Duke William

II of Normandy and an English army under the Anglo-Saxon King Harold Godwinson, beginning the Norman conquest of England. It took place approximately 7 miles (11 kilometres) northwest of Hastings, close to the present-day town of Battle, East Sussex, and was a decisive Norman victory.

The background to the battle was the death of the childless King Edward the Confessor in January 1066, which set up a succession struggle between several claimants to his throne. Harold was crowned king shortly after Edward's death, but faced invasions by William, his own brother Tostig and the Norwegian King Harald Hardrada (Harold III of Norway). Hardrada and Tostig […] were defeated by Harold at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. The deaths of Tostig and Hardrada at Stamford left William as Harold's only serious opponent. While Harold and his forces were recovering from Stamford, William landed his invasion forces in the south of England at Pevensey on 28 September 1066 and established a beachhead for his conquest of the kingdom. Harold was forced to march south swiftly, gathering forces as he went.

The exact numbers present at the battle are unknown; estimates are around 10,000 for William and about 7,000 for Harold. The composition of the forces is clearer; the English army was composed almost entirely of infantry and had few archers, whereas only about half of the invading force was infantry, the rest split equally between cavalry and archers. Harold appears to have tried to surprise William, but scouts found his army and reported its arrival to William, who marched from Hastings to the battlefield to confront Harold. The battle lasted from about 9 am to dusk. Early efforts of the invaders to break the English battle lines had little effect; therefore, the Normans adopted the tactic of pretending to flee in panic and then turning on their pursuers. Harold's death, probably near the end of the battle, led to the retreat and defeat of most of his army. After further marching and some skirmishes, William was crowned as king on Christmas Day 1066.

Although there continued to be rebellions and resistance to William's rule, Hastings effectively marked the culmination of William's conquest of England. Casualty figures are hard to come by, but some historians estimate that 2,000 invaders died along with about twice that number of Englishmen. William founded a monastery at the site of the battle, the high altar of the abbey church supposedly placed at the spot where Harold died. [wikipedia]

1485The development of the medieval Arthurian cycle and the character of the "Arthur of romance" culminated

in Le Morte d'Arthur (The Death of Arthur), Thomas Malory's retelling of the entire legend in a single work in English in the late 15th century. Malory based his book—originally titled The Whole Book of King Arthur and of His Noble Knights of the Round Table—on the various previous romance versions and appears to have aimed at creating

a comprehensive and authoritative collection of Arthurian stories. Perhaps as a result of this, and the fact that Le Morte D'Arthur was one of the earliest printed books in England, published by William Caxton in 1485, most later Arthurian works are derivative of Malory's (including The Once and Future King by T. H. White). [wikipedia]

What’s with the title?According to legend, King Arthur was doomed to die for his people. However, many believe he will return

someday when Britain is at its greatest need (he was and will again be king), leading not only his subjects but all the world to a utopian existence. This title, in contrast to Malory’s The Death of Arthur, puts readers’ focus on Arthur’s life rather than its inevitable end. Literary critics often regard King Arthur as a Christ figure or a prophet.

T. H. White and The Book of Merlyn T. H. White led a fearful life, tormented by fears - an abusive mother, poverty, public opinion, illness,

failure, death, the dark, and even fear of being afraid. White “was basically afraid of the human race. His life was a running battle with these fears, which he fought with courage, levity, sardonic wit, and industry. He was never without a project, never tired of learning, and had a high opinion of his capacities” (x). His narrating of The Once and Future King was deeply rooted in his own struggles in the violent and doomed society of Man. However, as he drafted the fourth book and wondered what to call his work - The Ancient Wrong?, Arthur Pendragon? - a realization dawned on him: “Pendragon can still be saved” (xix). White composed a fifth book, The Book of Merlyn, in which the old exhausted king revisits the animals of his childhood to remind him of long forgotten lessons about Man and war. Unfortunately, this hopeful ending was lost for years because White’s publisher, who was afraid of paper demands during World War II, “lost” White’s demand to see all five books published together. The Once and Future King was published in 1958 with four books. The Book of Merlyn can now be purchased separately and appreciated as the rightful and hopeful ending to the great and tragic legend of King Arthur and his knights (Warner).

Anticipation Activity

Directions: Respond to the following statements by writing an “A” for agree or “D” for disagree on the line. Try to come to a decision, and be prepared to discuss.

1. The people with power determine what is right/wrong in society. ____

2. Chivalry is not dead. ____

3. Fate, ultimately, overrides free will. ____

4. Even if there is such a thing as Fate, our free will still matters. ____

5. People never really change - they are who they are. ____

6. “Romantic” means the story is all about love. ____

7. The best main characters are flawed, rather than perfect. ____

8. Stories with sad endings can still be good overall. ____

9. Stories about the Dark Ages don’t matter anymore, so why read one? ____

10. Fantasy stories can teach us as much as non-fiction stories do. ____

11. People are either ultimately good or bad. ____

12. Ignorance is no excuse for doing something wrong. ____

13. You can make up for doing something wrong by doing good things. ____

14. Even if you stop believing, grown-ups should still remember ____the magic of their childhoods.

Vocabulary

A = I know this word; B = I’m not quite sure what it means; C = I don’t know it

Term A B C Definition

Allegory

Allusion

Anachronism

Aphorism

Catechism

Compulsory

Feudalism

Forte Mayne

Kern

Parable

Pax (french)

Portent

Quintain

Tawdry

Vigil

Villein

Wold

Character Chart

Use this chart to keep track of the characters and their classifications. Make sure you read the definitions of the classifications first - these are important terms!--The “Wild Card” space is for a character not list who stood out to you.

● Protagonist - main character; faces challenges and changes (mentally) throughout the story; “good guy”

● Antagonist - main character; opposes or “antagonizes” the protagonist; “bad guy”

● Round - character who is complicated and interesting● Flat - character who is simple and underdeveloped● Dynamic - character who grows emotionally and learns throughout the story● Static - character who grows very little (or not at all)● Direct Characterization - when the author/narrator directly (outright) tells

the reader what a character is like● Indirect Characterization - when the reader must determine what a

character is like through action, dialogue, or the thoughts of other characters

Character The Wart Merlyn

Direct Characterization

Indirect Characterization

Protagonist/ Antagonist/ Other

Round/ Flat

Dynamic/ Static

Character Sir Ector Kay

Direct Characterization

Indirect Characterization

Protagonist/ Antagonist/ Other

Round/ Flat

Dynamic/ Static

Character King Pellinore Sir Grummore

Direct Characterization

Indirect Characterization

Protagonist/ Antagonist/ Other

Round/ Flat

Dynamic/ Static

Character Sir Lancelot Guenever

Direct Characterization

Indirect Characterization

Protagonist/ Antagonist/ Other

Round/ Flat

Dynamic/ Static

Character Mordred Morgause

Direct Characterization

Indirect Characterization

Protagonist/ Antagonist/ Other

Round/ Flat

Dynamic/ Static

Character Orkney Faction: Gawaine, Gareth,Gaheris,Agravaine

[Wild Card]

Direct Characterization

Indirect Characterization

Protagonist/ Antagonist/ Other

Round/ Flat

Dynamic/ Static

Major Events Chart for “The Sword in the Stone”Use this chart to keep track of important events throughout the story.

Chapter Setting Characters Major events

1-5

6-10

11-16

17-24

Reading Questions for “The Sword in the Stone”

Day 1: Ch 1-5 = to pg 521. Why is the main character called “the Wart”?

2. Describe Wart’s relationship with Sir Ector and Kay.

3. When Kay loses Cully, why does the Wart stay behind?

4. Whom does Wart meet first in the forest (not counting the “assassin”)? Describe him.

5. Describe Merlyn (details that stand out to you). What do you think is his literary purpose?

6. What is the Wart’s first lesson? Why is it unique (Merlyn does something “for this once”)? What does Wart learn from Mr. P?

Day 2: Ch 6-10 = to pg 1021. What “portent” do Kay and the Wart witness? How does each boy respond?

2. When the Wart is sad about not becoming a knight, how does Merlyn backhandedly cheer him up (what does he say, and in what tone)? Do you see the irony?

3. Describe the tilt Merlyn takes Wart to watch in the forest. How might it differ from Hollywood’s typical portrayal?

4. Describe the Wart’s “catechism” into the company of the hawks in the mews (there are 3 steps). What example of foreshadowing do we hear from Balan?

5. What is Merlyn trying to say with the parable he tells Wart about Elijah and the Rabbi?

6. What is Kay’s adventure, or rather who? How is this person like a superhero of the Dark Ages?

Day 3: Ch 11-16 = to pg 1541. What is the plan, and why are the two boys needed?

2. Compare Kay’s adventure to a certain fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm…

3. What thank-you gift does each boy request? Why does Wart have to explain himself?

4. Describe the ants: language, “the voice,” duties, thoughts (or lack thereof), war preparations, “the total monotony,” etc. Why does Wart not enjoy the experience?

5. What does Sir Ector (his behavior) prove about the feudal system? Why does Sir Ector himself dislike it (hint: a letter he receives)?

6. Chapter 15 doesn’t add much to the plot, so why have it? Why all the detail about how good life is there?

7. What do we learn about Sir Twyti - 2 expectations/stereotypes dispelled?

8. What does King Pellinore discover after the hunt, and how does he react?

Day 4: Ch 17-24 = to pg 2091. What do Merlyn and Archimedes argue about in ch17? Discuss the end of ch17.

2. The Wart’s next lesson is with the wild geese. What does he learn from Lyo-lyok? Why do you think the author devotes two chapter to this lesson?

3. Wart says, “If I were a knight…” he wishes to do two things differently than the typical knight. What are they? How does Merlyn react? Why?

4. Why does the author include Wart’s encounter with Hedgehog?

5. What does Badger read to Wart, why? What does Badger question about his own writing? What do you think he means by his final question (about ants and geese)?

6. Why does Sir Ector’s family (with Wart) go to London? What is the story?

7. What happens when Wart runs to fetch Kay’s sword (detail!)? Discuss Kay’s reaction and Sir Ector’s reaction.

8. What does Merlyn mean by “glorious doom” and the “burden and nobility of ‘King Arthur’” (209)?

Major Events Chart for “The Queen of Air and Darkness”Use this chart to keep track of important events throughout the story.

Chapter Setting Characters Major events

1-7

8-14

Reading Questions for “The Queen of Air and Darkness”

Day 5: Ch 1-7 = to pg 2631. Describe Queen Morgause, based on her practice of the invisibility spell and her treatment of her children.

2. How do each of the boys react to the story they tell each other?Gareth:

Gawaine:

Agravaine:

Gaheris:

3. What does Merlyn explain about “chivalry” on the battlements of Camelot?

4. Merlyn, Arthur, and Kay discuss war. Merlyn explains the reasons for the current one. What are they? Explain.

5. What is the third reason for war - the only good one, according to Merlyn?

6. In chapter 6, Arthur presents his idea about how to combat Might. Explain it.

7. What happens (process) when the Orkney boys hunt for a unicorn? Why do you think it all goes wrong?

Day 6: Ch 8-14 = to pg 3121. Arthur furthers his idea: he says it is important to “catch them young.” WHY?

2. Describe the fight between the Orkney boys in chapter 9. Why do you think it ends the way it does? What do their behaviors tell you about the men they will be?

3. Merlyn asks Arthur if he remembers the magic of his childhood. What is Arthur’s reply, and why is this important?

4. There is something/someone Merlyn needs to warn Arthur about. You should be able to guess based on the other characters we have met in this (second) book…

5. Describe Sir Grummore and Palomides’ trick to cheer up King Pellinore. What goes ironically wrong, and who saves the day?

6. Arthur wins the battle at Bedegraine by performing “atrocities” - what are they?

7. What is a “spancel,” and for what is it used?

8. How does White explain Malory’s inconsistent storytelling about the Questing Beast? (Hint: what happens when the two knights “psycho-analyze” her?)

9. Who is The Queen of Air and Darkness? What role does she play in Arthur’s downfall? Who else is to blame (more than one character)?

10. Arthur is now clearly a tragic hero. What is his tragic flaw (this may be tricky)?

Major Events Chart for “The Ill-Made Knight”Use this chart to keep track of important events throughout the story.

Chapter Setting Characters Major events

1-7

8-19

20-29

30-45

Reading Questions for “The Ill-Made Knight”

Day 7: Ch 1-7 = to pg 3541. Why is this book called “The Ill-Made Knight” - two reasons?

2. Describe Lancelot’s 3 years of training (what sort of things he learns). Why does he go through such efforts - to what end (two reasons)?

3. What news does Lancelot hear from Merlyn about Arthur? How does he feel towards Arthur and Guenever as he rides to Camelot (two emotions)?

4. Who is the Black Knight (hint: this was mentioned way back in the first book)?

5. When Lancelot inquires about the Round Table, Arthur replies, “Oh dear”- why?

6. At what moment do Lancelot and Guenever start to love each other? Who are the first 2 people to notice? What does each person do to address the problem?

7. What is Lancelot’s tragic flaw (hint: you would think it is a good trait)?

8. Why does Lancelot go questing immediately after returning from war?

9. Describe Lancelot’s 2 quests with (1) Sir Carados and (2) Sir Turquine.

Day 8: Ch 8-19 = to pg 4021. List Lancelot’s two adventures that involve “treachery and a lady.”

2. How does Lancelot nearly cause a Fiasco at court (2 ways)?

3. When Lancelot returns to court, Arthur vents frustration about how the Table has changed - what has happened to his idea?

4. Why does Lancelot not just take Guenever for his own (3 reasons)?

5. Lancelot rescues the girl who is boiling in a tower. How does this both fulfill a childhood wish AND ruin his ambitions/wishes for the future?

6. Why does Lancelot finally decide to be Guenever’s lover? How does he explain this differently to Guenever?

7. When news is spread of Elaine’s baby, internal conflicts arise:Lancelot:

Guenever:

Arthur:

8. Like the secret Lancelot kept about Elaine, what will become more risky as the three friends allow the love affair to continue?

9. What surprises Lancelot about the baby Galahad?

10. What happens to drive Lancelot mad? What stories (2) do we hear about him?

Day 9: Ch 20-29 = to pg 4491. When King Pelles gives his own gown to the Wild Man, what does he notice about him (appearance/personality trait)?

2. What are the 3 meanings of “Le Chevalier Mal Fet/The Ill-Made Knight”?

3. After the tournament, different knights try to convince Lancelot to return.1) Why does he refuse Ector and Degalis but gaze towards Camelot each night?

2) Who tries next, and how does he succeed?

4. Lancelot mentions that Morgause is sleeping with Lamorak. Why does Arthur freak out?

5. What bad news does Gareth tell Arthur (about Morgause and Lamorak)? How did he know it would happen?

6. Gawaine does feel bad about what he did, but why? Describe Mordred.

7. Arthur’s Table is failing, and he claims 2 warning signs. What were they? Notice Arthur still fights an unwinnable battle - why?

8. Briefly summarize Gawaine’s failed quest for the Grail…

9. Briefly summarize Lionel’s failed quest for the Grail…

Day 10: Ch 30-45 = to pg 514 1. Aglovale deserves vengeance, but Arthur provides 3 reasons not to. List them.

2. Summarize Aglovale’s story…

3. Summarize Lancelot’s story of his failed quest (3 main failures, and his reaction)

4. Who finally won the Grail? Why do you think Lancelot is ok with this?

5. White describes Guenever as a “real” person, too complex for labels.1) What are her traits that White thinks make her love both Arthur and Lancelot?

2) What is her “central tragedy,” and why is it particularly cruel?

6. How has the “tone” of Arthur’s court changed (4 stages)?

7. Describe the 1st time Lancelot fights for Guenever’s honor (Sir Mador).

8. What happens to Elaine? How does it affect Lancelot and Guenever?

9. Why is there such “tension” at the Westminster jousts (3 things happen)?

10. Describe the 2nd time Lancelot fights for Guenever’s honor (Sir Meliagrance).

11. In chapter 45, what “miracle” is granted to Lancelot? Explain the conflict.

Major Events Chart for “The Candle in the Wind”Use this chart to keep track of important events throughout the story.

Chapter Setting Characters Major events

1-4

5-10

11-14

Reading Questions for “The Candle in the Wind”

Day 11: Ch 1-4 = to pg 5511. How has Mordred changed (focus on abstract ideas, not concrete appearance)?

2. What does Agravaine suggest (hint: hurt Arthur indirectly through his friends)?

3. Mordred and Agravaine try (unsuccessfully) to win over Gawaine and Gareth. A fight breaks out, and Gareth notices a “pattern” - what is it? Explain.

4. Chapter 3 is almost entirely description of the “Dark Ages” vs. “Merry England of the Middle Ages.” Why? (hint: reread the last paragraph of the chapter).

5. Arthur nearly walks in on Lancelot and Guenever arguing about their affair. What was a silly scene when Merlyn indirectly warned Arthur he would do this?

6. Arthur has a talk with Lancelot and Guenever - explains his sins - summarize:

7. Why does Arthur feel the need to reveal all this NOW?

Day 12: Ch 5-10 = to pg 6041. Lancelot and Guenever are given 2 warnings to be careful - list them.

2. We see 2 sides of Arthur (1 dispels the myth, 1 bolsters it):Gareth (ch5):

Lancelot (ch7):

3. When Mordred demands “fair” proceedings, Arthur tells Mordred, “You have yet to learn that nearly all the ways of giving justice are unfair.” (557) What does he mean?

4. How does Lancelot escape Mordred’s trap, and who does he kill first?

5. On the morning of the execution, why does Mordred break down crying?

6. Explain how each Orkney brother prepares for the execution and why:Gawaine:

Gareth & Gaheris:

Mordred:

7. How has Gawaine’s perception of Arthur changed? How does it change again after the fray with Lancelot, and why?

8. Why is Arthur forced to besiege Lancelot’s castle? Why is Lancelot forced to stay inside?

9. How does Mordred win Gawaine back onto his side? Provide examples.

10. When Lancelot leaves (banished), the court feel “tawdry” - explain why.

Day 13: Ch 11-14 = to pg 639 1. Summarize Guenever’s letter from Arthur about the war in France.

2. Describe how Mordred has continued to change - how do Guenever and Agnes speak about him, and what does Guenever notice when she speaks with him?

3. What is Mordred’s plan to take over control of England?

4. Having been spared by Lancelot twice, Gawaine sees reason and feels like a bully. Arthur comforts him with 2 aphorisms (617):

5. Upon hearing Guenever’s letter to Arthur, why does Gawaine side with Arthur once more?

6. Who writes to Lancelot, begging for help against Mordred? Why?

7. In chapter 14, Arthur avoids 2 realizations (619-20):

8. Arthur asks himself, “Why did men fight?” He considers 4 causes:

9. Arthur’s solution, Justice, had failed. Why does he tell the page, Tom, the story? Why does he call Tom the “light-bringer” (2 reasons - 1 in the novel, 1 in reality)?

10. Why does Arthur face his doom with a “peaceful heart” in the end?

Discussion of “The Book of Merlyn” Alternate Ending

Summary:According to most versions of the story, Arthur and Mordred kill one another in battle. T.

H. White, however, offers an alternative in the formerly unpublished fifth book - “The Book of Merlyn.” As the old, tired Arthur sits in his tent on the eve of battle, he thinks he sees Merlyn enter. In “The Candle in the Wind,” it is just a dream, but in “The Book of Merlyn,” it really is the old tutor, come to comfort his pupil. Merlyn takes Arthur on one last visit to Badger’s Combination Room, where they converse with the animals of Arthur’s childhood. Arthur relives some of his old lessons with the badger, the ants, the geese, the hedgehog… and Arthur returns to his his tent at dawn, prepared to face his doom.

Arthur arranges a truce with Mordred: half his kingdom for peace. The armies meet for the parley. No violent demonstrations are to be made UNLESS in reaction to treatery - weapons may be drawn in the rush to a leader’s rescue. Mordred and Arthur meet in the center to discuss the terms, and the treaty is made. For a moment, joy and peace are in balance, but both are crushed by Man’s violent nature: a harmless grass snake passes by, and one of Mordred’s men (thinking it is a viper) instinctively draws his sword to kill it.

The waiting armies, taking it for treatery, draw their weapons and charge. Arthur runs toward his own men with a gesture as if to press them back, struggling to the last against the flood of Might, but the tumult rose, and the meeting waters closed above his head.

Lancelot arrived at the battle too late. He became a hermit, and Guenever a nun, living out quiet and proud lives. There are many different explanations of what happens to Arthur after his death. Some say he was buried in England with a headstone reading “Here Lies Arthur, The Once And Future King.” Malory describes his departure to the magical island Avalon, led by Morgan Le Fay. T. H. White believe Arthur is now sitting in the Badger’s Combination Room, and that when not only England but the whole world needs him most and is ready to listen to reason (if it ever is), Arthur, Merlyn, and the animals will return - bringing with them happiness, chivalry, and medieval simplicity.

Questions:1. What do you think of this ending (consider the re-visit with the animals and the description of Arthur’s death)?

2. Why do you think T. H. White was adamant about the inclusion of this 5th book? Compare it to the ending of “The Candle in the Wind.”

3. How does this ending alter your perception of the novel as a whole?

4. Do you think Arthur’s idea failed, or do you think the candle is still lit? Why?