| Vinaver-Field
Edition's "Book"
Divisions |
Narrative
Characteristics |
|
"Sankgreal" and "Roman War" |
-
Only one source appears to be used for each
-
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
-
No "Frensshe book seyeth" transition and most
frequent traditional "the tale turneth/speketh/sayeth transition
|
|
"Kyng Arthur" (Wars of Legitimation Before Roman
War) and "Trystram" (Events Leading to Grail Quest) |
-
One or multiple ("Kyng Arthur") sources used.
-
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 |
- Multiple sources used ("L&G," "Morte,"
"Gareth"?) or multiple widely-separated passages from a large source
(Prose Lancelot) used ("Lancelot")
- Investigations of motive and
responsibility via pursuit of history
- "Marvel" rare; history produced by personal
decisions
- Most frequent authorial intrusion and
alteration
- Most frequent reference to "love peramours"
("L&G" and "Lancelot") and most frequent use of "Month of May"
transitions ("L&G")
- Defense of Lancelot's conduct with Gwenyver
- Most frequent "Frensshe book seyeth"
transition (in L&G and Morte)
- Denial of Arthur's return prophecy
|