The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key plot points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Chapters 1

Reading Check

1. Who is Arthur’s real father?

2. What does the Lady of the Lake demand in exchange for Excalibur?

3. How does Arthur try to dispose of Mordred?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How does Arthur become king?

2. Why is Arthur’s scabbard more valuable than his sword?

3. What is the name of King Lot’s wife, and how is she related to Arthur?

Paired Resource

“Merlin”

• Background information on Merlin in legend and history
• The topic of Merlin and his influence on King Arthur connects to the theme of Dark and Light Magic.
• Many historians have viewed Merlin as an ambivalent character in Arthurian legend. To a great extent, he shapes Arthur’s future. How do his actions relate to the theme of the Inescapability of Destiny?

Chapters 2-3

Reading Check

1. Who removes the sword from the lady’s belt?

2. Who gives Arthur the famous round table?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does Arthur banish Balin?

2. What is Balin fated to do with the sword he won?

3. Why is Pellinore cursed?

4. What oath do all the knights of the round table take?

Paired Resource

“Excalibur”

• The sword Excalibur is discussed in the broader context of the history of magical weapons.
• In the context of the topic of magical weaponry, how does Arthur’s Excalibur contrast with Balin’s magic sword?

Chapters 4-5

Reading Check

1. Whom does Merlin fall in love with?

2. What does Nyneve want from Merlin?

3. Where is Merlin’s eternal prison?

4. What form does Morgan take to escape Arthur?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does Morgan le Fay steal from Arthur?

2. What happens to Arthur and his companions after their stag hunt?

Paired Resource

Morgan le Fay

• A contemporary interpretation of Morgan le Fay and the vilification of witchcraft
• How do the positive and negative characterizations of Morgan le Fay in literature relate to the theme of Dark and Light Magic?

Chapters 6

Reading Check

1. What trait causes Gawain’s damsel to dislike him?

2. Whom does Pelleas truly love?

3. What age is Marhalt’s damsel?

4. How long does Ewain’s training regimen last before he is ready to enter a tournament?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why do Marhalt and his damsel end their quest early?

2. What is Lady Lyne’s vocation?

Paired Resource

“The Monomyth (The Hero’s Journey)”

• The quest’s symbolic meaning is explained in this Grand Valley State University summary of Joseph Campbell’s “monomyth” of the hero’s journey.
• Helps readers to comprehend the knightly quest as a metaphor and to connect to many other quest-driven stories
• Aside from completing a task, all quests are intended to foster spiritual growth. How do the questers in this segment succeed or fail in that endeavor? How might the Code of Chivalry play a role in their spiritual growth?

Chapters 7

Reading Check

1. What is the name of Lancelot’s nephew?

2. Whom does Lancelot see in the young enchantress’s eyes?

3. What emotion does Lancelot feel when contemplating his past exploits?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What happens when Lancelot falls asleep beneath an apple tree?

2. What does Lancelot do to help Kay?

3. How does Lancelot betray Arthur?

Recommended Next Reads

The Once and Future King by T. H. White

• Stories from Arthurian legend told by a contemporary author as distinguished as Steinbeck
• Shared themes include The Code of Chivalry, Destiny Is Inescapable, and Dark and Light Magic.
• The Once and Future King on SuperSummary

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

• The story of Arthur’s rise and fall from the perspective of the women in his court, both friend and foe.
• Shared themes include Dark and Light Magic.
• The Mists of Avalon on SuperSummary