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THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING: Book III Discussion Questions

1. What are the biggest problems in the legend so far and how would they best be solved?

2. What is Lancelot's reaction to Guenever when he first meets her (328-34) and why do you think his response changed?

3. How could the triangle, Lancelot-Arthur-Guenever been prevented? What are some reasons that people commit adultry/betray their loyalty to their friends?

4. What attracts Guenever to such an ugly guy as Lancelot? What things are more important to women than looks?

5. What are some characteristics of the Orkney faction and what might the Orkneys represent?

6. How does Lancelot deal with his desire for Guenever. (342-347) What does this say about escaping your problems by running away?

7. Why does Arthur ignore the attraction between Lancelot and his wife? (362-369)

8. Analyze the significance of Lancelot's brief affair with Elaine. Can one incident can change a person's life forever? (368-380)

9. Discuss the love triangles in the novel: Arthur-Guenever-Lancelot and Guenever-Lancelot-Elaine. Identify the complexity and complicity that exists between the characters.

10. Explain, as best you can, why Lancelot went insane after Elaine's visit to Camelot. (391-402)

11. Analyze King Arthur's impressions of his "new" order of knighthood. (426, 430 - 435)

12. Analyze the attributes that enable the three knights to find the Holy Grail. (chapters 28-30)

13. What are the 7 deadly sins of which the knights are accused and give examples. (440)
Why do you think they are "deadly" and which is the worst and why?

14. Analyze Sir Galahad's characteristics and relationship to Lancelot. What does he represent?

15. Analyze the love triangle involving Lancelot, Guenever and God.

16. Why do you think Elaine committed suicide? What effect might that have had on other characters in the legend?
What might have been a more constructive way to deal with her life?

17. How are Arthur and Lancelot alike and how are they different?

18. Analyze Lancelot's ability to perform a miracle. (493-508)

19. How would you have advised Arthur in his dealing with the confessed murder of Morgause and her lover by Agravaine?

20. What is Arthur's attitude towards Mordred? How would you advise him/what would you do?

21. What are some questions you have? What would you like to know about? What are some things you are wondering about?