The Arthurian Legends revolve around the life of the knights during the Middle Ages. A knight would pledge his loyalty to God, his King, fellow knights and to women in distress. Tolkien's Fellowship which consists of Gandalf, Legolas of the Elves, Gimli of the Dwarves, Aragorn and Boromin of the humans and four hobbits, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin. This Fellowship is like the Round Table of King Arthur.

Sir Thomas Malory in his Le Morte d'Arthur shows this Round Table as a military group loyal not only to their King but to one another. King Arthur is given the Round Table as a wedding gift by Gwynevere's father. It consists of one hundred knights. Often

the knights join together to defend the honor of another knight by killing the one causing the dishon

Sir Launcelot, Aragorn and Frodo all carry out knightly quests in the stories. All these knightly quests revolve around righting a wrong. The knightly quest of Sir Launcelot in the tale of Sir Launcelot du Lake is to vindicate the honor of the knights of the Round Table that Sir Tanquine put in prison. Sir Launcelot ends up beheading him and going on to fight a knight who has robbed and done many bad things to a noblewoman and her people.

King Arthur and Frodo Baggins as protagonists were both elected to be leaders. Merlin appeared before King Uther and told him, "Your child is destined for glory." (Malory, p.330.) In the church yard after the death of King Uther a marble block with a sword in it has the following inscription, "WHOSO PULLETH OUTE THIS SWERD OF THIS STONE AND ANVYLD IS RIGHTWYS KYNGE BORNE OF ALL BRYTAYENE." (Malory, p.332.) Many nobles tried to pull out the sword but could not. Arthur pulled it out and thinking it was Sir Kay's gave it to him. Sir Ector had him put it back in the stone which again no one but him could remove proving to all he was to be king.

Both Frodo and King Arthur have wizard to advise and protect them. Merlin tries to warn King Arthur against marrying Gwynevere because, "Gwynevere is destined to love Sir Launcelot and he her, and many disasters will result from their love." (Malory, p.342) In battle with King Arthur, King Pellinore is afraid that he will not be shown mercy if he lets King Arthur live so he starts to kill him with his sword when Merlin puts him to sleep with a magic spell.

or. The Fellowship bands together with the common purpose of destroying the Ring. The Ring can only be destroyed by throwing it back into the Cracks of Doom in Orodruin, the Fire Mountain, in Mordor, home of the Emperor of Darkness known as Sauron. The Ring should Sauron get it would give him the power to control the world.

The moral code of the knights of the Round Table which was renewed at the feast of Pentecost every year was to: "only fight in just cause, at all times to be merciful, at a all times to put the service of ladies foremost." (Malory, p.344.) Sir Gawain's strength was increased for three hours every morning but after noon would decrease. Once when in battle with Sir Launcelot to avenge the death of his two brothers by Sir Launcelot, Sir Launcelot realizes Sir Gawain's strength is less so he says to him "Sir Gawain, I have endured many blows from you but I see that you have weakened" and then turns to King Arthur and says, "My liege, your expedition can find no honorable conclusion, so I pray you withdraw and spare your noble knights" (Malory, p.373.) showing mercy and fair play.

Frodo leaves the Fellowship and goes up to the top of Amon Hen alone. Through the mist he sees several visions. Sitting in the "Seat of Seeing" he sees a world covered with Orcs, Lorien in smoke and the Beorning's Land in flames. He sees the Fortress of Sauron rise above all. He struggles with himself wanting to run but suddenly cries out, "I will do now what I must. The evil of the Ring is already at work even in the company, and the Ring must leave them before it does more harm. I will go alone." (Tolkien, p.472)

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2531
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)