Scott Ashley writes, “Malory shows…the foundations for future adventure and tragedy in telling of the king’s incestuous fathering of Mordred with his half sister, Morgause of Orkney”(9). Although Arthur does not know that the woman who he slept with was in his kin as stated by Malory, “But all this time King Arthur knew not that King Lot's wife was his sister” (164), the fact that he slept with her while being married to Queen Guinevere shows just how inadequate he his. Seemingly as penance for his actions, this relationship produces the very man that has been prophesized to end of Arthur’s life. His gallant persona coupled with his contradictory actions provide a prime example of how even the best of people contain
Scott Ashley writes, “Malory shows…the foundations for future adventure and tragedy in telling of the king’s incestuous fathering of Mordred with his half sister, Morgause of Orkney”(9). Although Arthur does not know that the woman who he slept with was in his kin as stated by Malory, “But all this time King Arthur knew not that King Lot's wife was his sister” (164), the fact that he slept with her while being married to Queen Guinevere shows just how inadequate he his. Seemingly as penance for his actions, this relationship produces the very man that has been prophesized to end of Arthur’s life. His gallant persona coupled with his contradictory actions provide a prime example of how even the best of people contain