Rank
According to the codes of chivalry and the theory of the divine right of kings, high-ranking individuals ought to be among the best, noblest, and most competent of people. However, King Pellinore is presented as little better than a bumbling fool despite his ideal royal lineage.
Idealized Knights
Instead of presenting Lancelot as a charming, handsome man, White portrays him as physically ugly. Despite his martial talents, Lancelot is not the larger-than-life, perfect image of what a noble knight ought to be.
Animals
In order to teach Wart about human nature, Merlyn causes him to spend time as animals of different types. Looking at animal logic from a human perspective, Wart is a failure as an ant and a goose; however, his experience causes him to question why people think and behave the way they do.
Liaison with Morgause
The reader, having been acquainted with Arthurian legend in many different forms, knows that Arthur's downfall begins when he accidentally has sex with his half-sister. Struggle though he may to prevent his fate, it is sealed when he begets Mordred. Although the reader is aware of Arthur's bad decision, Arthur himself is not.
War Prevention
Arthur seeks to reduce war and violence, and lead his people away from the mentality of might makes right. However, he does so by collecting the best fighters and knights from around the kingdom for his Round Table; the irony is that he must engage in displays of might itself in order to somehow counteract bloodshed and brutality.
