70 pages 2 hours read

John Steinbeck

The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1976

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.

Symbols & Motifs

Damsels Initiating Quests

In chronicles that celebrate the exploits of warriors, the novel features a surprising number of damsels. Many of these young women remain unnamed, but they all fulfill the same role—initiators of quests. Some are good, some evil, some simply decorative, but they all further the plot by drawing some hapless knight into an adventure.

Balin only retrieves his second sword because a damsel has brought it to Camelot at the request of the lady Lyle of Avalon. The damsel warns of dire consequences if the sword is not returned to her, but Balin fails to heed her warning. His subsequent quest for redemption is the result of his initial interaction with the sword-bearing girl. Arthur’s wedding feast is disrupted by a damsel on horseback who demands the return of her hunting dog just before being abducted by an unknown knight. This event leads to no less than three separate quests by banquet attendees. The damsel is revealed to be the formidable Nyneve, who later captivates Merlin.

In the tale of Gawain, Ewain, and Marhalt, three damsels offer to lead the knights on separate quests. They give valuable guidance and instruction along the way. Damsels also abound in Lancelot’s story to such a degree that he complains about the number of distressed females he meets: “It appears that there is no damsel in the world without a problem whose solution requires the jeopardy of my life” (257-58).

Related Titles

By John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

Cannery Row

John Steinbeck

Cannery Row

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

East of Eden

John Steinbeck

East of Eden

John Steinbeck

Plot Summary

logo

In Dubious Battle

John Steinbeck

In Dubious Battle

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck

Plot Summary

logo

Sweet Thursday

John Steinbeck

Sweet Thursday

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

The Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

The Harvest Gypsies

John Steinbeck

The Harvest Gypsies: On the Road to the Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck

Plot Summary

logo

The Log From The Sea of Cortez

John Steinbeck

The Log From The Sea of Cortez

John Steinbeck

Plot Summary

logo

The Long Valley

John Steinbeck

The Long Valley

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

The Moon Is Down

John Steinbeck

The Moon Is Down

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

The Red Pony

John Steinbeck

The Red Pony

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

The Wayward Bus

John Steinbeck

The Wayward Bus

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

The Winter Of Our Discontent

John Steinbeck

The Winter Of Our Discontent

John Steinbeck

Plot Summary

logo

To a God Unknown

John Steinbeck

To a God Unknown

John Steinbeck

Plot Summary

logo

Tortilla Flat

John Steinbeck

Tortilla Flat

John Steinbeck

Study Guide

logo

Travels With Charley

John Steinbeck

Travels With Charley

John Steinbeck