The Fall of Arthur - J.R.R. Tolkien

Summary
J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Fall of Arthur' is an unfinished alliterative poem exploring the tragic end of the Arthurian legend. The narrative begins with King Arthur engaged in a grand overseas campaign, fighting Saxon invaders and potentially conquering Rome, while his nephew Mordred betrays him back in Britain. Mordred usurps the throne and abducts Queen Guinevere, forcing Arthur to return to a land plunged into civil war. The poem also delves into the complex position of Sir Lancelot, living in exile in France, torn between his loyalty to Arthur and his long-standing love for Guinevere, contemplating whether to intervene in the unfolding catastrophe. Tolkien's work captures the grim atmosphere of impending doom and the unraveling of a once-glorious kingdom, ending abruptly before the climactic battles.

Book Sections

Section 1
The poem opens with King Arthur leading a mighty host across the sea, engaged in a distant campaign against the Saxons and potentially extending his empire to Rome. His forces are described as formidable, and his ambition is grand. While Arthur is abroad, his nephew, Mordred, left in charge of Britain, plots his betrayal. Mordred seizes the throne and abducts Queen Guinevere, shattering the peace and honor of Camelot. News of this treachery slowly begins to reach Arthur's distant camp, signaling the collapse of his realm in his absence.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
Arthur	Mighty king, ambitious conqueror, leader of a great host, driven by honor and the expansion of his realm.	To defeat enemies (Saxons), expand his empire (potentially to Rome), uphold his kingly duties, unaware of the treachery unfolding at home.
Mordred	Treacherous nephew, usurper, driven by ambition and lust.	To seize power, betray Arthur, claim the throne, and take Guinevere for himself.
Guinevere	Queen of Britain, abducted, a central figure in the unfolding tragedy.	Her motivation is to resist Mordred, but she is a victim in this part of the narrative.

Section 2
News of Mordred's betrayal and Guinevere's abduction finally reaches Arthur's camp across the sea. The messengers describe the chaos and disloyalty gripping Britain. Overwhelmed by this dire intelligence, Arthur abandons his foreign conquests and prepares for an immediate return to his homeland. The mood shifts from martial ambition to grim determination and sorrow as Arthur and his loyal knights embark on the somber journey back to a land torn by civil strife and impending war.

Section 3
The narrative shifts focus to Sir Lancelot, who is living in exile in his kingdom in France, having been banished from Arthur's court due to his affair with Guinevere. He learns of Mordred's treachery and Guinevere's plight. Lancelot is consumed by an agonizing internal conflict: his loyalty to Arthur, his undying love for Guinevere, and the dishonor he has brought upon the court. He grapples with the decision of whether to intervene, knowing his involvement could be seen as further treachery or an attempt to rescue his beloved.

Characters Involved	Characteristics	Motivations
Lancelot	Exiled knight, renowned warrior, tormented by past deeds and conflicting loyalties, deeply in love with Guinevere.	Torn between duty to Arthur, love for Guinevere, and the desire to restore his honor or save Guinevere from Mordred, despite the implications of his past actions.

Section 4
Lancelot makes his decision, resolving to sail back to Britain. The poem describes his preparations and his troubled journey across the sea. His mind is filled with foreboding thoughts about the impending conflict and the tragic downfall of the Round Table. He reflects on the choices that led to this catastrophic point and the grim future that awaits them all. The journey is presented as a voyage towards an inescapable doom, emphasizing the tragic fate awaiting the once-glorious kingdom.

Section 5
This final canto is highly fragmentary and stops abruptly. It hints at the gathering forces for the ultimate confrontation and the inevitable clash between Arthur and Mordred. The tone is dark and melancholic, reflecting the somber realization that the great age of Camelot is drawing to a violent and sorrowful close. The poem concludes without depicting the final battles or the death of Arthur, leaving the tragic events to the reader's imagination, underscoring its unfinished nature.

Literary Genre
Alliterative verse, Epic poem (unfinished), Arthurian legend, Heroic poetry, Old English revival.

Author Facts
J.R.R. Tolkien (John Ronald Reuel Tolkien) was born in 1892 and died in 1973. He was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor at the University of Oxford. He is best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings'. Tolkien was a scholar of Anglo-Saxon and Norse languages and mythology, which deeply influenced his literary creations, including 'The Fall of Arthur'. He was a member of the Inklings, an informal literary discussion group at Oxford, which included C.S. Lewis.

Morale
While unfinished, 'The Fall of Arthur' conveys several profound moral lessons. It highlights the destructive nature of ambition and betrayal, exemplified by Mordred's actions, and the tragic consequences of pride and moral failings, as seen in Lancelot's dilemma and the fracturing of Arthur's court. The poem underscores that even the most glorious kingdoms and heroic figures are susceptible to internal strife and human frailty, leading to an inevitable downfall. It emphasizes the ephemeral nature of earthly power and glory, and the high cost of disloyalty and moral compromise.

Curiosities

1. Unfinished Work: 'The Fall of Arthur' was composed by Tolkien in the early 1930s but remained unfinished. It was eventually published posthumously in 2013 by his son, Christopher Tolkien, along with extensive commentary, notes, and drafts.
2. Alliterative Verse: Tolkien wrote the poem in the distinctive alliterative verse style, mirroring Old English epic poetry like 'Beowulf'. This choice reflects his deep scholarly interest in medieval English literature and his desire to recreate that poetic form.
3. Unique Perspective: Unlike many Arthurian retellings that focus on the glory of Camelot, Tolkien's poem centers on the twilight years of Arthur's reign, focusing on the betrayal, decline, and impending doom, drawing parallels with the elegiac tone of Old English poetry.
4. Tolkien's Motivation: Christopher Tolkien suggests that his father may have abandoned the poem due to the immense commitment required for the alliterative style and his simultaneous work on 'The Hobbit' and the initial stages of 'The Lord of the Rings'.
5. Connection to Legendarium: Although separate from his Middle-earth legendarium, 'The Fall of Arthur' demonstrates Tolkien's consistent thematic interests in heroic deeds, tragic falls, and the interplay of fate and free will.