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Definition of Motif
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the central themes of a book... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of... read full definition
Book 1
Explanation and Analysis—Ominous Dreams:
Ominous dreams are a motif throughout the book, and they usually foreshadow events to come. For example, in Volume 1, Book 1, Chapter 13, the King with the Hundred Knights has a dream about the battle ahead:
The King with the Hundred Knights mette a wonder dream two nights afore the battle, that there blew a great wind, and blew down their castles and their towns, and after that came a water and bare it all away. All that heard of the sweven said it was a token of great battle.
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Book 2
Explanation and Analysis—Hospitality and Hostility:
The tension between hospitality and hostility is a motif in the book. One example occurs in Volume 1, Book 2, Chapter 15, when King Pellam goes after Balin for killing Garlon:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Anon all the knights arose from the table for to set on Balin, and King Pellam himself arose up fiercely, and said, ‘Knight, hast thou slain my brother? Thou shalt die therefore or thou depart.’
‘Well,’ said Balin, ‘do it yourself.’
‘Yes,’ said King Pellam, ‘there shall no man have ado with thee but myself, for the love of my brother.’
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Explanation and Analysis—Merlin's Disguises:
Merlin often appears to other characters in disguise. One instance of this motif occurs in Volume 1, Book 2, Chapter 8, when Merlin tries to give Balin and Balan advice:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[A]s [Balin and Balan] rode together they met with Merlin disguised, but they knew him not.
‘Whither ride you?’ said Merlin.
‘We have little to do,’ said the two knights, ‘to tell thee.’
‘But what is thy name?’ said Balin.
‘At this time,’ said Merlin, ‘I will not tell it thee. [...] I can tell you wherefore ye ride this way, for to meet King Rience; but it will not avail you without ye have my counsel.’
‘Ah!’ said Balin, ‘ye are Merlin; we will be ruled by your counsel.’
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Book 5
Explanation and Analysis—Ominous Dreams:
Ominous dreams are a motif throughout the book, and they usually foreshadow events to come. For example, in Volume 1, Book 1, Chapter 13, the King with the Hundred Knights has a dream about the battle ahead:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The King with the Hundred Knights mette a wonder dream two nights afore the battle, that there blew a great wind, and blew down their castles and their towns, and after that came a water and bare it all away. All that heard of the sweven said it was a token of great battle.
Related Themes:
Book 6
Explanation and Analysis—Traps and Tests:
The knights are frequently confronted with traps and tests of their faith and adherence to the codes of chivalry. This motif usually involves women acting as temptresses or bait, such as in Volume 1, Book 6, Chapter 15:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[T]here met him a fair damosel, and said, ‘Sir Launcelot, leave that sword behind thee, or thou will die for it.’
‘I leave it not,’ said Sir Launcelot, ‘for no treaties.’
‘No,’ said she, ‘and thou didst leave that sword, Queen Guenever should thou never see.’
‘Then were I a fool and I would leave this sword,’ said Launcelot.
‘Now, gentle knight’ said the damosel, ‘I require thee to kiss me but once.’
‘Nay,’ said Sir Launcelot, ‘that God me forbid.’
‘Well, sir,’ said she, ‘and thou hadst kissed me thy life days had been done[...]
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Explanation and Analysis—Brotherhood:
Brotherhood and men's solidarity is a major part of the book, and the breach of this solidarity is a motif. For example, in Volume 1, Book 6, Chapter 17, Launcelot lets Pedivere ride with him on the condition that he won't behead the woman Launcelot just rescued:
Unlock with LitCharts A+‘Sir,’ said the knight, ‘in your sight I will be ruled as ye will have me.’
[...Launcelot] had not ridden but a while, but the knight bad Sir Launcelot turn him and look behind him, and said, ‘Sir, yonder come men of arms after us riding.’
And so Sir Launcelot turned him and thought no treason, and therewith was the knight and the lady on one side, and suddenly he swapped off his lady’s head. And when Sir Launcelot had espied him what he had done, he said, and called him, ‘Traitor, thou has shamed me for ever.’
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Book 10
Explanation and Analysis—Anti-Muslim Hatred:
Anti-Muslim hatred is a disturbingly casual motif in the book, helping prop up the idea of the knights as devoted Christians. One striking example occurs in Volume 2, Book 10, Chapter 32, when Mark gets jealous of his brother, Prince Boudwin, for taking the "glory" for massacring 40,000 "Saracens" (Muslims):
Unlock with LitCharts A+And or it were day he let put wild fire in three of his own ships, and suddenly he pulled up the sail, and with the wind he made those ships to be driven among the navy of the Saracens. And to make short tale, those three ships set on fire all the ships, that none were saved. And at point of the day the good Prince Boudwin with all his fellowship set on the miscreants with shouts and cries, and slew to the number of forty thousand, and left none alive.
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Book 14
Explanation and Analysis—Lion Vs. Serpent:
Although the book is about King Arthur and conflict among human knights, it is also a Christian allegory about the battle between good and evil. This allegory is represented through the motif of lions (representing Christ) and serpents (representing the devil). In Volume 2, Book 14, Chapter 6, Percivale sees a lion and a serpent fighting:
Unlock with LitCharts A+And then Sir Percival thought to help the lion for he was the more natural beast of the two; and therewith he drew his sword, and set his shield afore him, and there he gave the serpent such a buffet that he had a deadly wound. When the lion saw that, he made no resemblant to fight with him, but made him all the cheer that a beast might make a man.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Traps and Tests:
The knights are frequently confronted with traps and tests of their faith and adherence to the codes of chivalry. This motif usually involves women acting as temptresses or bait, such as in Volume 1, Book 6, Chapter 15:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[T]here met him a fair damosel, and said, ‘Sir Launcelot, leave that sword behind thee, or thou will die for it.’
‘I leave it not,’ said Sir Launcelot, ‘for no treaties.’
‘No,’ said she, ‘and thou didst leave that sword, Queen Guenever should thou never see.’
‘Then were I a fool and I would leave this sword,’ said Launcelot.
‘Now, gentle knight’ said the damosel, ‘I require thee to kiss me but once.’
‘Nay,’ said Sir Launcelot, ‘that God me forbid.’
‘Well, sir,’ said she, ‘and thou hadst kissed me thy life days had been done[...]
Related Themes:
Book 19
Explanation and Analysis—Weeping:
Weeping is a motif in the book, introducing pathos in moments the narrator wants to mark as especially significant to the overall tragedy. For instance, in Volume 2, Book 20, Chapter 17, Launcelot weeps as he parts from King Arthur's realm:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Then Sir Launcelot sighed, and therewith the tears fell on his cheeks, and then he said thus: ‘Alas, most noble Christian realm, whom I have loved above all other realms, and in thee I have gotten a great part of my worship, and now I shall depart in this wise.'
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Book 20
Explanation and Analysis—Weeping:
Weeping is a motif in the book, introducing pathos in moments the narrator wants to mark as especially significant to the overall tragedy. For instance, in Volume 2, Book 20, Chapter 17, Launcelot weeps as he parts from King Arthur's realm:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Then Sir Launcelot sighed, and therewith the tears fell on his cheeks, and then he said thus: ‘Alas, most noble Christian realm, whom I have loved above all other realms, and in thee I have gotten a great part of my worship, and now I shall depart in this wise.'
Related Themes:
Book 21
Explanation and Analysis—Lion Vs. Serpent:
Although the book is about King Arthur and conflict among human knights, it is also a Christian allegory about the battle between good and evil. This allegory is represented through the motif of lions (representing Christ) and serpents (representing the devil). In Volume 2, Book 14, Chapter 6, Percivale sees a lion and a serpent fighting:
Unlock with LitCharts A+And then Sir Percival thought to help the lion for he was the more natural beast of the two; and therewith he drew his sword, and set his shield afore him, and there he gave the serpent such a buffet that he had a deadly wound. When the lion saw that, he made no resemblant to fight with him, but made him all the cheer that a beast might make a man.
Related Themes:
