Loyalty In Sir Thomas Malory's Mort D Arthur

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Think about what it was like living in the Medieval times. If you believe that people expect too much of you today, imagine how difficult it was for Medieval knights to live by the code of chivalry. However, in Sir Thomas Malory’s medieval romance, Mort d’Arthur, there is one knight who is able to do it. King Arthur and Sir Mordred have agreed not to battle for a month, as that is when Sir Lancelot will be able to come and save Arthur from his foreseen death -- though Mordred is not aware of that. Nonetheless, when a sword is pulled out to kill a snake as they dine together, Arthur and Mordred mistake it as a sign of betrayal, and begin to fight at once. Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere are the only surviving knights. In Sir Thomas Malory’s romance, Mort d’Arthur, King Arthur’s butler and knight, Lucan, displays the chivalrous qualities of honesty, pride, and honor in various ways. Toward the beginning of the romance, after all of Sir Mordred’s men have died, Lucan is honest in his wise suggestion that Arthur back off and let Mordred live. He does not tell Arthur what he wants to hear, but what he needs to hear. Lucan reminds the king of his dream and of Sir Gawain’s spirit’s words. However,…show more content…
Lucan is already injured from battle, from leading Arthur to a chapel, and from searching for robbers. He is on the brink of death, and yet he continues to serve his lord in trying to guide him to safety in another town. Lucan and the other surviving knight, Bedivere, heave up the king, but just moments later, Lucan “[falls] in a swoon” and “part of his guts [fall] out of his body”; soon enough, “the noble knight’s heart burst[s],” and he falls to his death (Malory 172). In Medieval times, dying for one’s king was one of the most noble and honorable ways to die. Therefore, what Lucan does for his king is full of honor and a clear display of

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