The character of King Arthur is iconic and heroic in the popular imagination, as well as synonymous with a lost golden age. White draws on this archetypal figure but also provides shadings of nuance in Arthur’s backstory and his inner conflict. Arthur is a man who desperately wants to do the right thing, but this proves challenging when confronted with the brutality of the status quo. As a boy, Arthur demonstrates an innate curiosity about the natural world as well as a stubbornness to prove himself. Rather than lose one of his adoptive father’s prized hawks, he spends the night in the Forest Sauvage, waiting for an opportunity to retrieve the bird. Arthur’s spirit of adventure eventually leads him to Merlyn, the wizard who becomes his tutor. Merlyn sees Arthur’s destiny, and his job is to prepare him for it. Under his tutelage, Arthur goes from thrill-seeking adolescent to mature, contemplative king determined to reconcile Might Versus Right.

Arthur’s penchant for introspection and justice keeps his temper in check but also prevents him from taking action. He is ultimately a tragic hero—a man who wants to see the best in people but is frequently disappointed.