Sir Mordred Character Analysis in Le Morte d’Arthur

Arthur’s illegitimate son by Margawse. Mordred is destined to kill his father someday, and Arthur attempts to have him killed as a child by sending all children born in the month of his birth on a ship to be sunk, but Mordred alone survives. He participates (along with his brothers) in the killing of Lamorak, and finally turns against Arthur when Arthur is off fighting Launcelot abroad. Mordred’s very existence is a testament to the book’s fascination with royal lineage and destiny, especially when tied to the omnipresent tendency to competition and jealousy—seeming to make it inevitable that a son will rise up against his father.

Sir Mordred Character Timeline in Le Morte d’Arthur

The timeline below shows where the character Sir Mordred appears in Le Morte d’Arthur. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Trickery and Mistaken Identity Theme Icon

...together, though he doesn’t know that Margawse is his half-sister—Igraine’s daughter. Margawse conceives a son Mordred. King Arthur then dreams that griffins and serpents have come into his land to do... (full context)

Jealousy, Competition, and Revenge Theme Icon

...and puts them in a ship, which is shipwrecked. All the children die except for Mordred, who is then raised by a stranger. Many lords are upset with Arthur for this,... (full context)

...Lake then enters the fight and strikes down the King of Northgalis. Launcelot and Sir Mordred (one of the knights fighting against Bagdemagus) joust together, and Launcelot hurls him off his... (full context)

...Taile again, though he insists that he could have fought them well on foot. Sir Mordred comes along and joins the two, and together they come to the Castle Orgulous, where... (full context)

...killing twelve knights and leaping back onto his horse. He arrives back at Maledisant and Mordred, but she doesn’t believe he killed the knights—she rather thinks that they’ve let him pass... (full context)

...be searching for a proven knight and decides to follow them. When he reaches them, Mordred leaves. Maledisant mocks Launcelot too, not knowing who he is. (full context)

Chapter 36 Mordred is lying sick in the same old knight’s home where Tristram is staying, having jousted... (full context)

...the group. Dinadan then returns to his friends, and says that he told Mark that Mordred’s shield is the sign of Launcelot. Mordred is currently wounded, so he offers to give... (full context)

Chapter 25 Gawaine’s brothers Agravaine and Mordred ride along and meet with a wounded knight who is fleeing from Breuse Saunce Pité.... (full context)

As Alisander gazes at Alice, enthralled in love, Mordred comes and tries to sneak Alisander’s horse out of the castle to shame him. But... (full context)

...5th day, the fighting begins again, and a Saracen strikes down three brothers of Gawaine: Mordred, Gaheris, and Agravaine. Arthur hears of this and is angry, so he decides to fight... (full context)

...and tell him how he rescued him. He also tells him to remind Kay and Mordred how they mocked Percivale when he was made knight: Percivale won’t return to court until... (full context)

...when he had to, for his quest. He tells her he’s worried about Agravaine and Mordred, who know of their affair and could dishonor them: he tries to spend time with... (full context)

...it. He leaves with Lavaine for Camelot, where all rejoice at their return except Agravaine, Mordred, and Guenever, who refuses to speak with Launcelot. (full context)

...and do nothing. Gawaine, Gareth, and Gaheris say they will not continue such talk, but Mordred agrees with Agravaine, who says he wants to tell the king. Gawaine tries to remind... (full context)

...Arthur to go out hunting, alerting Guenever that he’ll be gone that night: he and Mordred will take Launcelot captive with the queen. The king agrees. Agravaine and Mordred gather 12... (full context)

Chapter 3 Launcelot goes to the queen’s chamber, and Agravaine, Mordred, and their knights surround them, calling to Launcelot to yield. Launcelot has no armor and... (full context)

...appear before the king the next morning to be properly charged with treason. Agravaine and Mordred cry that they’ll kill him now, so Launcelot opens the door and immediately kills Agravaine,... (full context)

Chapter 7 Mordred, having escaped from Launcelot, rides wounded to Arthur and tells him what happened. Arthur cries... (full context)

...that he’s brought Guenever according to the Pope’s command. He tells Arthur of Agravaine’s and Mordred’s treacherous actions, but Gawaine says they were right. Launcelot says he has always been loyal... (full context)

Chapter 1 Meanwhile Mordred has been given responsibility for Guenever. He writes fake letters from across the sea that... (full context)

Then Mordred hears that Arthur (who is alive) has heard of his siege, and is pausing the... (full context)

...Dover with a great navy. A great battle takes place, and Arthur’s men drive back Mordred’s, until they flee. Gawaine is then found lying half-dead in a boat. Arthur weeps of... (full context)

Chapter 3 Arthur’s men battle Mordred’s once again, and then prepare to meet a third time, on an upcoming Monday. Many... (full context)

Chapter 4 Mordred agrees, but Arthur warns his knights to keep watch, since he suspects Mordred of wrongdoing.... (full context)

...to rest in a hermitage, where he meets the Bishop of Canterbury, who had fled Mordred. There is a tomb next to him, and the bishop says a number of ladies... (full context)

Chapter 8 The narrator returns to an earlier moment, and says that Launcelot learns of Mordred’s treachery through Gawaine’s letter, which has grieved him deeply. Launcelot prepares to go to Gawaine’s... (full context)