The Once and Future King

The Once and Future King is an Arthurian fantasy novel written by T.H. White. It was first published in 1958, mostly as a composite of earlier works. ISBN 0441627404

Interpretations

Perhaps what sticks out the most in White's work is his characterizations and how they differ from traditional views of these Arthurian characters, particularly in their motivations. For example:

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Arthur is a well-intentioned king as trained by Merlyn, but it seems that his greatest flaw is his inability to adapt once Merlyn leaves him. As such, he comes off as something of a well-meaning bumbler.

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Launcelot is no longer the handsome knight typical in the romantic legends but is instead portrayed as the ugliest of that lot and, in addition, cruel. He seeks to overcome his flaws through full devotion towards becoming Arthur's greatest knight.

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Merlyn lives time backwards, making him a bumbling yet wise old man who is getting younger.

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It is also interesting to note that White allows Thomas Malory to have a cameo appearance towards the end of the final book. Also of note is White's treatment of historical characters and kings as mythological within this world that he creates. In addition, due to his living backwards, Merlyn makes many anachronistic allusions to events in more recent times; of note are references to the Boer War, telegraphs, tanks, and "an Austrian who … plunged the civilized world into misery and chaos".

Related Topics:
Boer War - An Austrian who … plunged the civilized world into misery and chaos

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