Editing Idylls of the King (section)

==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.