Mordred And Arthur As Depicted In Oedipus The King

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After Sir Gawaine was slain in battle, Thomas Malory has him return to Arthur in a dream. Gawaine says to Arthur that he should not engage in battle for he will die. Instead he should construct a treaty for a month and a day, for then Sir Launcelot will come with all his knights. This scene creates a heartwarming feeling on the account of it being Arthur's nephew. A man who sat at The Round Table and fought side by side with his king, finds a way to return and warn Arthur. He heeds Gawain's warning and tries the treaty. When Mordred and Arthur finally meet, they tell their armies if one sword is drawn, be ready to fight. Unfortunately when a knight is bitten by an adder and he draws his sword to kill it, he initiates the battle. Nevertheless, both …show more content…

Running in at full speed, both armies collide into battle. When few are left standing, Mordred and Arthur face each other. Revealed in this segment is when Arthur must decide to kill Mordred and rid the kingdom of his evil, or let him live because Mordred is his son. Arthur takes his spear and stabs Mordred in the chest. Mordred expresses so much hatred for his father, that he is able to pull himself up the spear, whilst dying from his final swing. Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere still stand with Arthur after the battle. Lifting the King resulted in the tragedy of Sir Lucan dying . As seen, subjects of Arthur have an undeniable loyalty to him, and even though Lucan was injured he still put his King first. Trying to stay alive Arthur requests Sir Bedivere to take Excalibur and throw it into the lake. The power of the sword enchants Sir Bedivere and he feels he can not throw it away. He lies twice about throwing the sword, and Arthur is furious. On the third try, Sir Bedivere diminishes his feelings, and throws the sword with all his might. A hand shoots out of the water and catches the sword, while swiftly pulling it under the