Realistic side of Morgaine

Throughout the stories of King Arthur, you can catch yourself wondering how people could come up with them, as some things just seem so unrealistic. But, in this story you see a characters realistic side Morgaine's in particular. Some characters just seem as if they have no human like feelings. This story is told in Morgaine's perspective and you see her human like side. She becomes very dramatic when it comes to Lancelot's thoughts on her. It comes off as very relatable to readers, as everyone wants to have a feeling of conformation.

Getting to Know Morgaine

Honestly, I kind of enjoyed the new version of the King Arthur tale. I liked reading this from Morgaines eyes and learning her inner monolog. In everything else we've had with her in it, I feel like she comes off as a little un-personable and cold. We don't really know her inner motive at all, so I really enjoyed getting to know her emotions and feelings on certain things, it really helps us understand why she does what she does. The other character that was interesting to me is Galahad or Lancelot. I thought it was interesting that he was being offered the training of a Druid with all of these magical powers, and he turns it down because he's now seen the world and its problems, and wants to do something about it. I feel like that adds a lot of depth to his character and gives us a little bit more of an understanding of him, rather then him just being a knight who has an affair with the Queen and breaks a lot of peoples hearts. Plus honestly, Lancelot with a druids training and a knights training probably would have been very powerful and he still wants to leave Avalon and fight, so I though that was pretty cool.

Deadly Teddy Bear

“That is enough,” he said. “It is good sport, but on such a day as this I would rather not kill anything needlessly, and there is one for my mother and two for the Merlin.” This part stuck out to me when reading because it really shows what Lancelot’s character is like. It shows that a very powerful knight can be so kind hearted to the birds and only want to kill what he absolutely needs. He doesn’t even catch one for himself he takes care of his mother and Merlin. In these stories they portray Merlin as a very powerful knight that loves to fight and prove his worth undercover. Therefore, seeing someone like Lancelot care for a bird speaks about who he really is. I think seeing the characters be portrayed in so many different ways through out the text helps you get a well-rounded perspective of who they really are outside of fighting. 

Knight Life, eh

"Slowly, Elvis stood up and started to clap. Buddy joined him. And then someone who wasn't part of Arthur's group, and then another, and then within seconds, the entire studio was filled with the thunderous sound of applause." (263)


I honestly really liked this entire reading until it came to this point. If i were there, and the candidate was saying these things, my reaction would be "okay, this guy is crazy", but I'm supposed to assume that everyone here is believing this? Idk it took me out of the reading a little bit. After thinking about it though, this moment kind of brought me back to the old readings. When Arthur would give a speech before a battle and everyone would join with him in cheers and stuff, so when I thought about it like that, I really actually came to enjoy this ending. I guess my question is, was there anything in this reading that at first you didn't enjoy, but you came to appreciate considering the context of the older texts?

Schoolgirls in King Arthur stories.

"He blinked repeatedly as flashbulbs went off, looked around the crowd facing him, and then saw Gwen standing in the back. He smiled to her, and she smiled back, almost schoolgirlishly..." (David, 172).

I like this scene a lot because it demonstrates the approach of the author really well. Its what we are used to seeing, just in a different context. Some might cringe a this, but I see this as a real understanding of the material, at least when it comes to lovey dovey side of things.

Morgaine's Quickly Abandoned Emotional Composure Is Relatable

I really enjoyed watching Morgaine's inner monologue as she falls from the rules of a priestess, to the whims of her own emotion in the Mists of Avalon. It happens within a few pages, and yet the shift from "he [Lancelot] has not recognized me either, keep it so." (141) to "I want him [Lancelot] to think me beautiful-- myself, not the glamour!" (143) happens smoothly, and I enjoyed the way it humanizes Morgaine. Later still, when Gwenhwyfar appears and whisks Lancelot's attention and affections away from her she "felt a surge of hatred so great that she thought she would faint with its force." (158) How quickly and strongly she devolves from the rules set upon her reminds us as readers that she is still a human and still rather young. She bends to her wants over her duty in a way that is very familiar and reminiscent of a dramatic teenager. Though I doubt any modern readers have come across a situation that mirrors Morgaine's experience exactly as I believe the number of people asked if they're actually fae to be very small, at it's most simplified she throws a fit in her head and retreats into a cold persona after being embarrassed and rejected, and I'd say that's pretty relatable.

Chivalry in Politics

In the Knight Life, King Arthur makes some very controversial claims while he is giving his press conference and while participating in the debate. Many of these are issues that he commented on are still issues that he sees today and I thought that it was something that are political leaders in the world could look at today. However, some of the things that I found interesting was how he handled himself during these moments. Before his press conference, he said to Gwen and Percival that he was going, "to be utterly candid and not lie" (David 174). I thought that this was interesting because it felt like he was almost following a code of chivalry at the podium, something that he would have remembered from his days as a King. I feel like this is something that we don't see with many politicians anymore, no matter the party, and it was an interesting aspect to look at. In addition, during the political debate, he also was very confused when the other candidates did not actually answer the question, "You didn't answer the ques... they didn't answer the question" (David, 258). I think that this is another thing that current politicians could take into consideration because nowadays they never answer the actual question. I think that King Arthur places an important role in that because he wants people to trust him as that was such an important aspect in Camelot.

Lancelot's Purpose

In the Mists of Avalon Lancelot states, "maybe when I go back to the real world, the Saxons will all have been vanquished... and gone" Morgaine replies with "And you will weep because there is no longer any reason for your life?" (155). I thought this quote was interesting because it reduces Lancelot's sole purpose to fighting. Do you think that this reduction of Lancelot is accurate?

Magic of Avalon

"'The mist and the reeds and the cry of water birds...and then the barge, like magic, gliding from the silent shore...I know there is nothing for me here, and yet, somehow, I always return..'" (Bradley)

This quote stood out to me because I related it right to Lancelot and how he also seemed to have to soul purpose of being in Camelot, yet he always found himself there in our readings.

harp strings and swords

One quote that caught my eye was on page 147, when Morgaine is describing Lancelot's physical appearance. She says, "...his slender hands, exquisitely shaped, fashioned for harp strings or weapon, but calloused just a little across palm and the insides of the fingers, more on the right than the left." What caught my eye in this line, other than the fact that it told us Lancelot is right handed, was the dichotomy between "harp strings" and "weapon." Harps are typically seen as a gentle, angelic instrument whereas weapons are, so to speak, instruments of death, and seen as anything but gentle. It's clear that Lancelot is caught between two worlds here, and he is the one bringing them together simply by existing. Perhaps this use of the words "harp strings and weapon" was to further elaborate on this point, of two opposite things colliding and coming together through one person.

King Arthur was Spittin'

"Yes, I've heard that. People don't trust the government enough. It's odd, though. If they don't trust the government, how is it they know that they can speak against it with impunity? They must trust it on some level. Besides, the entire matter is nonsense, if you ask me, which, I suppose, you have. If the government goes bad, handguns won't save you. Better to work together to support a good government than arm oneself against a bad one." (David, 177). 

I chose this quote because as I was finished reading this part I said, out loud, "damn, Arthur!" This guy is spitting serious facts. Throughout this entire story, I could really see that my beliefs lined up with Arthur Penn's. Perhaps that's why I liked his character so much.

*Also, as a second thought: why does this Arthur character remind me so much of Oliver Queen from Arrow??? And why do they lowkey look alike???

What's Going on Inside Morgaine's Head?

In "The Mists of Avalon," Morgaine is pretty much in love with Lancelot throughout the entire story. About halfway through the story Lancelot decides that he won't "trespass" and take her virginity and she fills with happiness for the first time since she was a child. First of all, what a life to live. Haven't been happy for the past couple YEARS?? Nice... Moving on to the actual question I'm getting at is how exactly does Morgaine go from being dizzy whenever Lancelot looks at her to "in that molten instant she actually longed for death" (Bradley, 158)? Not only does she long for death, but when walking with Lancelot and Guinivere she was also "tempted to lead them both into the impassable mire...lead them out there and lead them to drown or wander forever in the mists."(Bradley,158) That's pretty freaking dark. Now I get that apparently when Lancelot looks at Guinivere there's nothing but love in his eyes, in fact the love that he just showed Morgaine, but come on. How good is she at reading eye balls because I certainly don't see true love in anyone's eyes I look at (weird). I guess what I'm trying to ask here is just how Morgaine went from loving to Lancelot to wanting to kill both him and Guinivere. I get that they had a "deep and meaningful conversation" (they didn't), but not sure how the story ends with her leaving as a walking omen of death. 

This Was Hilarious

"You...could tell us...but you won't? Were you a Don or something?"
"No, no,  I've always been an Arthur." (p. 173)

I have to be honest: Knight Life was a breath of fresh air. It was easier to read and understand. And both the situation and the writing were so awkward that it was funny. I was actually laughing out loud at certain events in the excerpt. The reason why I chose this quote is because it is an example of the strange hilarity of this book. Arthur reminds me so much of Captain America when he has to figure out how to live in 2012 while mentally he's still in the 1940s. He's a man who has come to "save the world" so to speak, but is so far removed from the current day, that he has a hard time operating in society. Arthur is the exact same way, but worse because he's coming from an age where knights were still a thing. This feeling of being out of place is reflected in the writing style. The book might not have been the best written thing, but boy was it funny to read. 

Some things don't age well

Knight Life has aged about as well as these graphics from the PS2 game tie-in for the 2006 KIng Arthur movie

Part of the charm of the Arthurian mythos is the timeless nature of the characters. It is (relatively) easy to drop these established characters into medieval chicanery and have it come out enjoyable. More difficult is transposing the characters into the modern world, either through reincarnation or the literal fulfillment of Arthur's prophesied return, as is the case in Knight Life. The primary danger here is that the book is a product of it's time. While I'm sure the idea of a businessman politician who spoke frankly, off the cuff, trusted his gut, and refused to back down or change course once he made a decision sounded appealing in the 1980s, the political realities of today make that description uncomfortable to say the least. Good thing Arthur is, well Arthur, and not a violent egomaniac...... right?

She seems normal, so what happens?

In the Mists of Avalon Bradley wrote about Morgaine "She picked up his hand to return the gesture, and suddenly dropped it as if it had burned her; to him it was only a game, perhaps, but it could never be so to her. She turned away, hiding her burning face in the grass. Power from the earth seemed to flow up through her, filling her withe the strength of the very Goddess herself" (152).

I thought it was so interesting how Morgaine is portrayed as having human emotions like everyone else. I feel like in most stories Morgaine is described as being this all-powerful person who seems invincible. It was refreshing to see Morgaine be portrayed with more human emotions. It makes me wonder how she ends up the way she does.

In Which an Editor Complains About Bad Writing

How come it took so long into this book for Arthur to hold a press conference? As a writer and editor reading this, there has got to be a lot of fluff that could be cut from the beginning of the book if we’re on page 170-something and the main storyline of Arthur running for mayor is just now starting. There are inconsistencies in verb tense and POV and I can’t stand reading this because it’s just plain bad writing. Yes, this entire post is just going to be complaining about the writing because it’s that bad.

First of all, adverbs ad nauseam. Dialogue is broken up in odd places. During the press conference, all the interruptions to dialogue to allow the reporters to laugh in response… nothing was funny. The Monty Python joke was not explained well and ill-timed for the situation. Cheese balls? (p 169-70) Really? On page 188, Gwen “cuts in” when she’s not interrupting anyone and then gets a “trailing off” ellipsis when it should be a dash because she’s interrupted by Arthur’s next line. These are just a few examples of the things that irritated me. Also, who’s POV are we supposed to be in? Seems like it’s supposed to be a limited omniscient narrator, but it’s inconsistent and the POV switches mid-scene sometimes. And where was the proofreader for this book? Must’ve been his or her day off.

Merlin is a jerk and Arthur’s personality is inconsistent. I don’t fully understand Gwen’s character from this excerpt, but it seems like everyone steps over her when I feel like she’s just trying to do her job. What is this book? Because I don’t like it.

Confusion With The Sword

So I am going am address the confusion with the whole situation with Sir Bedivere and the sword. Now the knights and knights Arthur caught themselves in an absolute predicament with Arthur being wounded and everyone else submitting, but himself. Even after Arthur question his actions of disobedience and such it still leaves a question unanswered. Now I have read some comments about this and they all seem to make sense and the one that stick out the most is the representation on the sword. It is a one of a kind, powerful, well known weapon that is used and when someone who is not used to that is able to wield that. You have to think whaat kind of confidence or power this might have given him. I think one of the reasons he didn't throw it down is because of how he felt. Sir Bedivere probably thought for that time he was invincible and able to take anything and anyone on that challenged him while in posession of Excalibur. I relate this to how I would kinda feel if I had the opportunity to hold a real lightsaber. I don't know if I would ever let it go or what I would do with it.

reason the the madness

"Were it well to obey then, if a king demand
An act unprofitable, against himself?
The King is sick, and knows not what he does."

This is from the scene where Sir Bedivere was given the order by Arthur to throw the sword, this quote is showing why he wasn't throwing the sword, he realizes Arthur is not thinking straight and believes not throwing it would be best.