Student Question
In "The Once and Future King," what is Wart's quest?
Quick answer:
Wart's quest in "The Once and Future King" is to rule justly and honorably, prioritizing peace and stability over the use of might. Under Merlyn's guidance, Wart learns to value the power of right against tyranny, understanding the futility of war and territorial disputes. Despite his naivety and tendency to see the best in others, which complicates his rule, Wart remains committed to maintaining justice and peace throughout his life.
I think if we had to specify a "quest" that Wart embarks upon, it is the quest of maintaining peace and stability in his kingdom through doing what is right rather than favouring the use of might to support his power. Consider the tutelage that Merlyn gives Wart where again and again, Merlyn tries to impress on his young student the abhorrent nature of war and the illusory concept of boundaries. Remember how Wart learns this lesson through watching geese flying in the sky. Merlyn points out that the geese fly wherever they will and do not heed boundaries that man places such importance on. As a result, land, and the possession of a tract of ground, is not worth shedding blood over. This is a lesson that King Arthur as an adult, on the wake of his final battle, evidently remembers, as he states his belief that war is...
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something that is "fought about nothing--literally nothing."
Wart's quest then is to rule justly and honourably without falling into the tendency of using might to maintain his power. He, throughout his life, seeks to support the power of right against the tyrany of might.
What obstacles does Wart face in The Once and Future King?
One of the interesting aspects of this retelling of the famous Arthur legend is the characterisation of King Arthur, or Wart, as he is affectionately refered to by Merlin. Arthur is not shown to be a legendary hero of mythic status, but is rather presented as an honest but rather naive individual who is a bit dim. This is certainly one of the barriers that Wart has to work hard to overcome, and is shown most clearly when Merlyn tries to teach Wart the necessary skills he will need. Although Wart struggles to master these lessons, he perseveres. This lack of intelligence is something that means Arthur's rule is never easy, as he constantly has to work hard to maintain justice and peace.
His second major flaw is the way that he is too good. He constantly believes the best of those around him, even when he has ample evidence that suggests otherwise. Note the way in which he continues to think well of Queen Morgause, and the manner in which he successfully and consciously ignores the reality of what is going on between Lancelot and Guenever. Even though the actions of these two characters threaten the peace and harmony that Arthur has worked so hard to achieve, Arthur refuses to confront them.