The Once And Future King - Mig Essay -- essays research papers

The Once and Future King The legend of King Arthur is a tale as timeless as any other found in literature today. Introduced to us by Sir Thomas Malory during the fifteenth century in Morte d' Arthur, it was the first complete tale of Arthur's life. Countless portrayals followed for any reader interested in the tale of the boy who was destined to become King. The Once and Future King by T.H. White is certainly the most popular representation of the immortal legend of King Arthur. It is similar to the tales woven before it but White gives new meanings and modernization to the traditional story through his unique perspectives and writing. White takes the reader on a journey in the past enriched by the knowledge of the future. Most importantly, White's notion that society cannot be governed by might alone is a prevalent theme throughout the work. He expresses the ideals of 'might vs. right'; as it relates to a world much like our world today. He clearly understands that 'might'; rules the actions of individuals, but 'right'; is the ideal that we seek to obtain. As we often find, the former prevails. The novel is divided into four sections that represent periods of time in Arthur's life. The novel begins with The Sword in the Stone, the tale of Arthur's childhood. At this time, he is not referred to as Arthur but Wart. His foster brother gave him this name and it was his childhood nemesis. Early in the book, Wart finds Merlyn who becomes his tutor. One of the earliest indicatio...