How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph.)
Quote #7
Arthur was happy. Like the man in Eden before the fall, he was enjoying his innocence and fortune. Instead of being a poor squire, he was a king. Instead of being an orphan, he was loved by nearly everybody except the Gaels, and he loved everybody in return.
So far as he was concerned, as yet, there might never have been such a thing as a single particle of sorrow on the gay, sweet surface of the dew-glittering world. (Q.2.94-95)
And now for your Daily Word Origin Lesson: "happy" doesn't just mean full of joy or lighthearted, which is how we mostly use it now. It comes from the Middle English "hap," meaning luck, or chance. It's related to words like "happenstance" (meaning a chance or accidental happening). It makes sense that "happy" would appear right before a mention of Eden, since that whole Falling-From-Grace thing is often regarded as a fortunate fall (since it allowed for Jesus to come on to the scene). Is there any way in which we can regard Arthur's downfall as fortunate?
Quote #8
"There are some things," said the magician, "which I have to tell you, whether you believe them or not. The trouble is, I can't help feeling there is one thing which I have forgotten to tell. Remind me to warn you about Guenever another time." (Q.8.16)
Merlyn can't always keep his timelines straight. Plus, there's a sense that he can't remember this particular detail because Guenever and Lancelot are fated to be together. This thing is going to go where it goes; there's nothing anyone can do about it. Maybe that's the true definition of tragedy.
Quote #9
"Perhaps it will be best for you to go. Perhaps it is a thing which has to happen." (K.24.55)
Even the grammatical structure of the sentence here indicates that Lancelot is helpless in the face of what will happen. Notice how Elaine doesn't say, "You will do this," which would imply Lancelot has some say in the matter. She instead says it's "a thing which has to happen." This is an impersonal construction, with a vague subject, so it's unclear who is doing what. This construction reinforces the idea that Lancelot will leave—it is beyond his or her control.