Le Morte d’Arthur · Chapter
XLIII explained
Morgan le Fay mourns the death of her paramour Sir Hemison, slain by Sir Tristram, and buries him with an epitaph.
What happens
Morgan le Fay mourns the death of her paramour Sir Hemison, slain by Sir Tristram, and buries him with an epitaph. Sir Tristram, lodging with a host, discusses the relative merits of knights, praising Sir Launcelot and his kin while concealing his own identity.
Themes in this chapter
Violence and Vengeance
The death of Sir Hemison at Tristram's hands and Morgan le Fay's sorrowful burial highlight the cycle of violence and personal vengeance.
Honor and Reputation
Tristram's concealed identity and his ranking of knights underscore the importance of reputation and honor in chivalric society.
Characters to notice
- Morgan le Fay
Grieves and buries her paramour Sir Hemison, placing a tomb with an epitaph naming Sir Tristram as his slayer.
- Sir Tristram de Liones
Conceals his identity while discussing knightly prowess with his host, praising Sir Launcelot and his kin.
- Sir Ector de Maris
Mentioned as having lodged with the host the previous night, accompanied by a damosel.
- Sir Launcelot du Lake
Praised by Sir Tristram as the best knight among his kin.
- Sir Bors de Ganis
Listed by Sir Tristram among the four better knights of Sir Ector's blood.
- Sir Bleoberis de Ganis
Listed by Sir Tristram among the four better knights of Sir Ector's blood.
Key passages
“There is in me life, said the knight, but it is but little; and therefore leap thou up behind me when thou hast holpen me up, and hold me fast that I fall not, and bring me to Queen Morgan le Fay; for deep draughts of death draw to my heart that I may not live, for I would fain speak with her or I died: for else my soul will be in great peril an I die.”
The dying knight tells his varlet to help him mount his horse and take him to Morgan le Fay, as he wishes to speak with her before dying to save his soul.
The knight's concern for his soul's peril reflects the medieval Christian belief in the importance of last confession or absolution.
“That is not so, said Sir Tristram, for I know four better knights of his own blood, and the first is Sir Launcelot du Lake, call him the best knight, and Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Blamore de Ganis, and Sir Gaheris.”
Tristram disagrees with his host's praise of Ector de Maris, naming four knights of Ector's own lineage who are superior, starting with Launcelot.
Tristram's ranking reveals his deep knowledge of the knightly hierarchy and his respect for Launcelot's preeminence.