| Vinaver's "Book"
Divisions |
Narrative
Characteristics |
|
"Sankgreall" and "Roman War" |
-
Interest in "foundation" issues
-
Routine praise of Arthur's rule and imperial ambitions
-
High incidence of "marvel" amid "historial" narrative
-
Infrequent authorial intrusion and alteration
-
Almost no "Frensshe book seyeth" transition
|
|
"Kyng Arthur" (Wars of Legitimation Before Roman
War) and "Trystram" (Events Leading to Grail Quest) |
-
Continued interest in "foundational" issues
-
Seeking the origins of the triumphs described in the
Roman War and Grail Quest
-
Reduced incidence of "marvel" and higher interest in
history
-
More frequent authorial intrusion and alteration
-
More frequent "Frensshe book seyeth" transition
-
Assertions about lord-vassal relations, knights'
judgment, prisoners' plight
|
|
"Lancelot," "Gareth," "Lancelot and Gwenyvere," the
"Morte" proper |
- Investigations of motive and
responsibility via pursuit of history
- "Marvel" rare; history produced by personal
decisions
- Most frequent authorial intrusion and
alteration
- Most frequent "Frensshe book seyeth"
transition (in L&G and Morte)
- Denial of Arthur's return prophecy
- Defense of Lancelot's conduct with Gwenyver
|