Essay Questions

Why are there so many references to water in the poem? What could these references mean?

Traditionally, water is seen as something that washes away sin. At the time in which Morris was writing, there was great emphasis on relating literature to the Judeo-Christian religions and in this regard water is seen as something which baptizes. Guenevere first appears to the Court with wet hair which she throws back from her forehead as if coming up out of the water again after being submerged. The is similar to the way in which she would emerge after a traditional baptism. This gives the impression that her sins have been washed away and that she is a changed person,and a better one too.

There is also a symbolism in the water in that it symbolizes change and fresh starts, because of its relation to the changing of the tides and the vernal equinox. Although the poem itself was written during a time when religion was influential when it came to literature, in King Arthur's time there was still a great emphasis on paganism, and the moon was revered. The tides were governed by the moon and the seasons of the year, and the coming in and going out of the tide suggest change and newness every time. This is something that is also important to Guenevere who is trying to present herself as a changed woman whose sins are behind her, and also to suggest that there is no point in re-hashing the events of the past; they should instead be left there.

How does Morris view Guenevere?

From the narrative it seems that Morris was sympathetic to Guenevere's plight, but also aware that she was her own worst enemy when it came to mounting a defense. The fact that he is suggesting there should be a defense at all indicates his unwillingness to believe that she had an affair, or that she was trying to cuckold the King in any way. The fact that Gunevere is conducting her own defense also shows that she had no real supporters among the court at that stage. Arthur was a hugely popular and extremely respected monarch and any action that was seen to harm him was met with great penalty. Morris seems to see the unfairness in this and also to see that although Guenevere put up a feisty and compelling defense of herself, there was really no scenario in which she was going to change anyone's mind.