SOURCE: Morgan, Jeffrey L. “Malory's Double Ending: The Duplicitous Death and Departing.” In Sir Thomas Malory: Views and Re-views, edited by D. Thomas Hanks, Jr., pp. 91-105. New York: AMS Press, 1992.

In the following essay, Morgan re-examines structural issues debated by various critics regarding the last two chapters of Le Morte Darthur.

In the Morte Darthur's two final chapters, its tragic themes achieve their fullest development. In these chapters the universe itself seems to conspire in the annihilation of the Round Table. As “The Day of Destiny” opens, Arthur returns from the siege of Benwick to do battle with Mordred, the usurper, and with Mordred's army. In the battle, Gawain re-opens the wound he received from Lancelot and dies soon thereafter. As Arthur again prepares to battle his mutinous son, Gawain appears in a dream and warns him to arrange a truce with Mordred until Lancelot arrives...