Le Morte d’Arthur Text Excerpt Questions

1. What dream does Arthur have? What might this dream mean?
2. Who speaks to Arthur the night before his battle with Mordred? In what context do his visitors appear?
3. What warning does Gawain give? What reason does he give for postponing the battle?
4. What treaty does Arthur propose to Mordred? Is the treaty honored? Why or why not?
5. What innocent action starts the battle?
6. How is Arthur again warned of his fate and about Mordred? Why does Arthur pursue his vengeance on Mordred despite all the warnings he has been given?
7. What happens to Arthur’s soldiers during the battle? What advice does Sir Lucan give Arthur about the battle?
8. After lying to Arthur twice, how does Bedevere finally fulfill Arthur’s wish? What does he see?
9. In what ways is loyalty, or the lack of loyalty, demonstrated in the story of Arthur?
10. Why might loyalty have been so highly valued for the people who first told this story?
11. What is the cause of Arthur’s death? What condition is he in when he is last seen? What indications are there that Arthur may not, in fact, have died after the battle?
12. Why do you think the legend is written to suggest that Arthur will return as king one day? Why might this idea be appealing to readers?