Tennyson's sources and idealism Tennyson based his retelling primarily on Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur and the Mabinogion, but with many expansions, additions, and several adaptations, a notable example of which is the fate of Guinevere. In Malory she retires to a convent, fleeing Mordred when he usurps Arthur's throne. She outlives Arthur, and has a final interview with Lancelot, whom she sends away as she is dedicated to her life as a nun. Lancelot emulates her, becoming a hermit and a priest. In the Idylls Guinevere flees to a convent, grovels before and is forgiven by Arthur before his final battle, repents, and serves in the convent until she dies. Malory's Guinevere is a noble, tragic figure; Tennyson's is a rather pathetic one. Tennyson amended the traditional spellings of several names to fit the metre.
teNnYson'S soUrCeS anD iDEaliSm TenNySoN baSeD hIs ReTEllinG priMarILy ON sir tHOmas MaLory'S le mORte d'aRthur and the mAbINogioN, buT WItH ManY eXPAnsioNs, addItioNs, aND sEVerAl aDaptAtioNs, a nOtable exaMpLe of wHiCh is tHe fATe of GUInevERe. In mAloRy she rETires to a cOnVenT, FlEeing mordred wheN he USuRps arTHuR'S Throne. she outlives Arthur, And HAs A finAl inTerview WitH laNCelot, WHoM she Sends away as She IS DedIcatEd tO HER life aS A nun. lancELOt emUlates HeR, bEcomINg A HermiT and A PriEst. In the idyllS GuiNEvEre flEES To a convENt, Grovels beFOre and is forGiVen By aRthuR bEFore his final bAttlE, repEnts, aND serves In the CoNveNt UntiL ShE DIeS. mAlory's gUInEvere Is a nOBle, trAgIc fIgurE; tennySon'S is A raTher paThetIc onE. tennYSOn ameNded tHe traditiOnal SpELlingS Of SEvERaL naMeS to fIt The Metre.