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

Plot Summary

The Sword in the Stone chronicles Arthur's (called Wart) raising by his foster father Sir Ector, his foster brother Kay and his initial training by a wizard who lives through time backwards — Merlyn. Merlyn, knowing the boy's destiny, teaches Wart what it means to be a good king by turning him into various animals: fish, ant, birds. Most particularly, before he takes the throne Wart learns to challenge the concept of Might is Right.

Related Topics:
Wizard - Merlyn

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And in fact, Merlin instills in Arthur the concept that the only justifiable reason for war is to prevent another from going to war--while presenting human governments and powerful people as exemplifying "might is right".

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In The Queen of Air and Darkness, White sets the stage for Arthur's demise by introducing the Orkney clan and detailing Arthur's seduction by his half-sister while the young king suppresses initial rebellions. Meanwhile, Merlyn leads Arthur to conceptualize the means of harnessing potentially destructive Might for the cause of Right: the Round Table.

Related Topics:
Orkney - Half-sister - Round Table

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The Ill-Made Knight switches to the story of forbidden love between Sir Lancelot and Queen Guenever and its effect on Elaine and King Arthur.

Related Topics:
Lancelot - Guenever - Elaine

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The Candle in the Wind tells the upshot of all of the preparation for Arthur's downfall and the downfall of the idealistic kingdom of Camelot.

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The stories begin decidedly humorous mainly through Arthur's adventures, White's prose, and King Pellinore's interminable search for the Questing Beast. The tale gradually becomes darker until Ill-Made Knight loses much of the original humor and The Candle in the Wind is mirthless.

Related Topics:
Pellinore - Questing Beast

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