Mysts of Avalon: Character Anlysis, Polt Summary, General Anlysis, and Alternate Ending

Essay by hellraizorpacoHigh School, 10th gradeA+, May 2004

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Characters

Morgaine

The novel is as told by Morgaine through her reminiscing narrative. She is a sorceress who undergoes many changes, but is victorious and in the end, much wiser.

Viviane

Viviane is the Lady of the Lake, the high priestess of Avalon, and is responsible for carrying out the will of the Goddess. She wishes to find a king to unify Britain who would be loyal to God and the Goddess, but is ultimately disappointed.

Talieson

Talieson is Merlin, the most powerful Druid of Avalon, and he aids Viviane in finding a High King. In the action of the novel, Talieson dies and part of Avalon and the world disappears as well.

Gwenhwyfar

Gwenhwyfar, daughter of King Leodegranz, marries King Arthur and tries to get him to renounce the Goddess and embrace God and Christ. She is incredibly pious, but even with her fear of eternal damnation, she does not wholly abide by her own sayings.

Arthur

Arthur's birth and upbringing were arranged before his birth; he was to be groomed to be the High King of Britain. He carries the might of Excalibur, the sacred sword of Avalon, but is inevitably killed by his son, Sir Mordred.

Plot

        The Mists of Avalon is a romantic novel of sorcery and piety. It is the story of King Arthur as told by his sister, Morgaine, later known as Morgan le Fay. Morgaine tells this story of how Arthur came to power, the fall of Avalon, and finally, the Death of Arthur.

        The novel opens in Tintagel with Igraine, Lady of Duke Gorlois, spinning thread. Morgaine is only a child and her mother, Igraine, tells her that she is too young to learn, even though Igraine's sister, Morgause, is attempting to teach her. Merlin and Viviane arrive from Avalon with important...