The Robert De Boron s Prose Merlin - 1368 Words

The Arthurian legend is one that has las lasted centuries. It has been changed and altered as different authors add to and change the story. Even though the details of the plot have changed over time there are certain aspects and themes that remain strong throughout the different versions. There are three main themes in the legend that have lasted different authors across different eras. The ideas of war, loyalty, and religion are common themes that run through the stories of Robert de Boron’s Prose Merlin, Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Mort d’Arthur, T.H. White’s The Once and Future king, as well the the The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The legacy of the Arthurian legend captivates many audiences and has been told numerous times. In The Once and Future King by T.H White, Arthur experiences being different animals which teach him lessons about war. In every version of the story Arthur goes to war with Lancelot and is killed in battle. It is clear to see that war is an important aspect of the story and not just a continuous plot detail. Loyalty as well as war is evident throughout the different versions of the story particularly in Le Mort d’Arthur, The Once and Future King, as well as The Mists of Avalon. In Sir Thomas Malory’s story, even after Lancelot is banished he still remains loyal to Arthur. In T.H White’s story Arthur is in conflict when trying to stay loyal to his friend Lancelot and his country. The Mists of Avalon shows how Morgause is loyal to the