A Comparison Of Three Versions Of King Arthur

Throughout the three versions of King Arthur, Tennyson, Malory, and Boorman, Arthur’s story being told varies from detail to detail. Pieces of the story that are different in each version include Arthur’s dream and the treaty, the battle description, the fight between Arthur and Mordred, and the throwing of the sword, and the barge scene. Details and visualization plays an important role in telling a story and passing on a message to the reader or viewer. The three versions of the Arthurian Legend are “The Passing of Arthur”, by Alfred Lord Tennyson, Book of King Arthur and of his Noble Knights of the Round Table, by Sir Thomas Malory, and Excalibur film, by John Boorman.
One of the first points of comparison is the dream. In the Tennyson, …show more content…
The Malory is the only version with a treaty, so after the treaty is broken by one of Mordred’s soldiers a battle breaks out. They battle until the King only has two knights left, Sir Bedivere and his brother Sir Lucan. Arthur then becomes very angry and charges at Sir Mordred with a spear. The spear goes under Mordred’s armor and impales him, but Sir Mordred is determined to kill Arthur. He then thrust himself up the spear and strikes Arthur in the head with his sword. In the Tennyson, the two sides fought long and hard, until it was only Arthur, Sir Bedivere, and Sir Mordred standing. Arthur then says, “My house hath been my doom. But call not thou this traitor of my house Who hath but dwelt beneath one roof with me. My house are rather they who sware my vows, Yea, even while they brake them, owned me King. And well for thee, saying in my dark hour, When all the purport of my throne hath failed, That quick or dead thou holdest me for King. King am I, whatsoever be their cry; And one last act of kinghood shalt thou see Yet, ere I pass" (Tennyson). Arthur then turns to Mordred, but Mordred gives him a blow to the head. However, Arthur manages to slay Sir Mordred with Excalibur before going down himself. Lastly, in the Boorman, Mordred has the spear and impales Arthur. Arthur then thrusts himself up the spear and kills Mordred with the Excalibur. From the three versions, the Boorman …show more content…
Like the battle scene, the Tennyson and Malory are very much alike. In these two versions, Sir Bedivere carries Arthur to the barge and the three Queens take him. In both of these versions the Queens are wearing black, while in the Boorman the queens are wearing white. In the Boorman, when Percival comes back from throwing the sword into the lake, Arthur is already on the barge. Out of the three versions, Boorman executes the best visual aspect of the barge scene. With the best visual aspect, it gives the viewers the best conclusion to Arthur’s