King Arthur and His

Knights of the Round Table:

A Contrast

King Arthur is said to be a legend. The greatest king in the history. So, it was not
surprising that after a novel about him and his great adventures, it was made to be a movie. But,
there were lots of differences in terms of plots, the sequence of the events and even the names of
some of the characters.
Particularly, the Dark Knight who in the Novel is Sir Mordred, one of the Knights of the
Round Table but in the movie, the Dark Knight is Prince Malagant has his own castle while Sir
Mordred lives in the castle of King Arthur. They are both the antagonist of the stories. They
plotted to kill King Arthur so they can reign over his Kingdom. Also Sir Mordred is the one who
saw Guinevere and Lancelot kissing and he told King Arthur about it. But in the movie, it was
King Arthur, himself, who saw Guinevere and Lancelot kissing.
Another difference is Lancelot and Guineveres love affair. In the novel, Lancelot and
Guinevere knew each other since they were children but in the movie, they just met when
Lancelot saved her from Magalants men. The have love each other since then. In the movie,
their love affair started before Guinevere and King Arthur got married. On the other hand,
Guinevere and Lancelots love affair began after King Arthur and Guinevere got married. In the
novel, it isnt clear if Guinevere really repulsed Lancelots love. But it is clear in the movie that
Guinevere repulsed Lancelots love even though she really loves Lancelot. She turned down
Lancelots proposal to her to marry him instead of King Arthur. She tried to get away from him.
When King Arthur asked Lancelot to be one of the knight of the Round Table, Guinevere
suggested to let Lancelot go to where he belongs but Lancelot accepted the offer. Lancelot keeps
on pursuing her but Guinevere is strong. She chose King Arthur even though her real love is
Lancelot.
Lancelot admission to Knighthood started when h saved Guinevere from Prince Malagant
and King Arthur offered him the only seat left to be a Knight of the Round Table as a reward.
While in the novel, Lancelot is already one of the Knights of the Round Table.
Lancelot and Guineveres love affair was discovered by Sir Mordred and his brother Sir
Agravain when they saw them kissing. But in the movie, it was King Arthur who discovered
their love affair when he opened the door of Guineveres room and saw Lancelot and Guinevere
kissing. King Arthur sentenced Guinevere to death by burning her but Lancelot save her. In the
movie, after king Arthur discovered Lancelot and Guineveres love affair, he had them in trial
first. He gave Lancelot his lawyer. And in front of his people, he allowed them to defend their
selves but Lancelot chose to talk to him alone. King Arthur, in both stories, the novel and firm
version, regretted his decision.
King Arthurs death in the novel was not sudden. It was prophesied that he will die if he
proceed to fight Sir Mordred in Camlanun. King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table
together with his warriors fought against Sir Mordred and his warriors. But before that, they had
an agreement to have a mouths truce but that was ruined. King Arthur killed Sir Mordred but Sir
Mordred was able to wound him badly causing his death. Before he died, he commanded Sir
Bedivere to throw his Sword Excalibur to the lake and after that he was brought to the mystery
sea where the fair ladies together with his sister Morgana Le Fay were waiting for him.
In the movie, Prince Malagant suddenly attacked King Arthurs castle making King
Arthur and his men unprepared. Prince Malagant smote King Arthur after he announced to fight.
King Arthur was then brought by his knights and Guinevere to his bedroom. It was Lancelot who
killed Prince Malagant and not King Arthur. Guinevere kissed King Arthur twice before he
finally departed. He also gave the sword Excalibur to Lancelot and gave Guinevere to him before
he died. He died in his bed with his eyes opened.