Then Sir Bedivere returned again, and took the sword in his hand; and then him thought sin and shame to throw away that noble sw
ord . . . Read the excerpt from "Morte d'Arthur” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Then went Sir Bedivere the second time Across the ridge, and paced beside the mere, Counting the dewy pebbles, fix’d in thought; But when he saw the wonder of the hilt, How curiously and strangely chased, he smote His palms together, and he cried aloud, "And if indeed I cast the brand away, Surely a precious thing, one worthy note, Should thus be lost for ever from the earth” How does Tennyson effectively retell Sir Bedivere’s actions? Tennyson’s version highlights Sir Bedivere’s second attempt to get rid of the sword. Tennyson’s version conveys Sir Bedivere’s desire to please the king regardless of his feelings. Tennyson’s version highlights how Sir Bedivere thought that the sword was a burden. Tennyson’s version conveys Sir Bedivere’s extreme reluctance to get rid of the sword.
Tennyson’s version conveys Sir Bedivere’s extreme reluctance to get rid of the sword.
In the excerpt from "Morte d'Arthur," Alfred, Lord Tennyson directs attention to the conflict between King Arthur, who is dying, and Sir Bedivere, who does not throw away Excalibur as Arthur has ordered. In that respect, Sir Bedivere lies twice to Arthur because he possesses an overwhelming desire for the jeweled gold handle of the sword. As a result, he finally gets rid of Excalibur after Arthur's third command.
