Galahad Redeeming the Sins of the Father

The first section of the reading, pages 369-400, differs drastically from previous class readings in regard to religious views of the Knights of the Round Table. Previous readings, aside from The Sage of the Mantle, focus on the knights as possessing positive characteristics: honor, brotherhood, respect, modesty, etc. Yet, this reading continually condemns the Knights, including Sir Launcelot who has often been depicted as the greatest of all knights. The drastic switch in tone, upon first reflection seemed strange and I struggled to understand why Malory diverted from the traditional Arthurian tropes; however, I feel like some clarity is achieved when Sir Percivale’s aunt tells him “Merlin devised the Round Table as a symbol of the wholeness of virtue, and fellows, whether Christian or heathen, have always counted themselves blessed. So much so that many of them, like you, have deserted their families without feeling any sense of remorse” (392). Up until this point in the literature, Arthur and his Knights are represented as infallible no matter how devious they behave. Malory, in contrast, forces the knights to confront their sins and makes them into an example of what can happen when behaving in a less than virtuous manner. The quote specifically addresses Arthur’s knights using their status to make themselves untouchable. Galahad’s entrance into the Arthurian tale can be viewed as a second coming of Jesus, this is evidenced by Malory saying both of his parents are descendants of Jesus. His presence provides the opportunity for redemption of the knights.