The Mists of Avalon

Fate and destiny are the grounding principles of Avalon. All members of the Holy Isle learn from a young age that they ought to follow their destinies, which often intersect with other overarching forces like gender or religion. Igraine’s journey to understand and accept her fate does not and cannot exist without her struggles with her gender role. When she tells the Merlin that she “feels trapped” by her destiny with Uther, she is also expressing dissatisfaction with the options available to her as a woman: Regardless of what she does, she will still be subjugated as a woman and a wife. In The Mists of Avalon, fate thus underscores socio-political problems that various characters grapple with.

Many characters, especially those with heritage in Avalon, regard fate as more important than any moral principles or personal relationships. Viviane acknowledges this in the aftermath of Morgaine’s experience at Beltane. Morgaine is crying, traumatized by the incestuous situation Viviane placed her in. All Viviane has to offer at this is, “And at this moment, the hope of Britain is more important than your feelings” (191). Viviane’s callous response demonstrates that fate is the supreme principle in Avalon, even at the expense of others.