Gareth
Sign in to saveGareth of Orkney () is a Knight of the Round Table in the ''Le Morte d'Arthur'' version of the Arthurian legend and many modern works based on it. He is depicted as the youngest son of King Lot and the Queen of Orkney, King Arthur's half-sister, thus making him Arthur's nephew, as well as the youngest brother to Gawain, Agravain and Gaheris.
Article
11 sectionsContents
- Arthurian legend
- French literature
- ''Le Morte d'Arthur''
- ''The Tale of Sir Gareth of Orkney''
- Modern Arthuriana
- Tennyson
- Literature
- Other media
- Bibliography
- References
- External links
Gareth of Orkney () is a Knight of the Round Table in the ''Le Morte d'Arthur'' version of the Arthurian legend and many modern works based on it. He is depicted as the youngest son of King Lot and the Queen of Orkney, King Arthur's half-sister, thus making him Arthur's nephew, as well as the youngest brother to Gawain, Agravain and Gaheris.
The author Thomas Malory created (and named) his composite character of Gareth by combining elements of similar figures from French sources (appearing under various names, but originally having been known as Chrétien's Gaheriet and Guerrehet), specifically constructing him as the 'good' Orkney brother. He thus contrasted the virtuous and honourable Gareth with his morally imperfect or even villainous siblings. These includes Malory's Gaheris, whose figure is often being conflated with the Gareth-like youngest of the Orkneys (besides their half-brother Mordred, if he does appear) by other medieval authors, including some texts having the two as one and the same character.