"The only way I can keep clear of force is by justice. Far from being willing to execute his enemies, a real king must be willing to execute his friends... It is a king's business to prevent bloodshed if he can, not to provoke it" (White 550-1).
Arthur has kept to his initial ideas when he first thought of the Round Table, but it's also forcing him to execute the people he loves. True justice wouldn't play favorites. Though he is doing his best to prevent bloodshed, Lancelot's rebellion against Arthur's justice creates it. And everyone is miserable.
I agree. I think that Arthur does not have the ability to go against his own justice. Arthur cannot loose what made him create the Round Table. It was honestly so sad reading it because no one was happy.
ReplyDeleteThis is a moment that really makes Arthur's story stand out as a tragedy: he has lived his life according to a system and has promoted that system throughout his reign. But when it comes to those he loves, he finds it hard to apply those rules. That's the perfection of Mordred's trap - he's just asking Arthur to abide by his own rules. It's beautiful, and awful, and hard. And a stunning reminder of why justice alone is not enough - we must also put mercy at the center of any system and any law.
ReplyDeleteThis quote really shows who Arthur was as a king. He was a man that would fight those who were unjust no matter how large their army was. Now he is faced with those closest to him performing actions that were unimaginable to him. It's quite sad that Arthur has to decide between his morals and the people he loves.
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