Essay Database

This story follows the life of Mordred, painting a very different picture of him than what is commonly seen. Secretly born of an incestuous union between an unknowing Arthur and Morgause, his murderous and manipulative half-sister, Mordred was unaware of his true parentage until his teens. Known to the public, including his brothers Gawain, Agravain, Gaheris, and Gareth, as King Lot's bastard son, he was brought up in Morgause's house and trained like any boy …

…by your hand or even by your action. Through your existence is all." (248) She goes on to explain that the gods would work their will through whatever free act Mordred undertook. <Tab/>Though certainly unconventional, I think that Stewart has created a new hero in the Arthurian tradition. The character of Mordred here chooses loyalty in the face of an unavoidable betrayal; showing himself a worthy steward of a treacherous fate.