Mordred and Hildebrand: A Book of Tragedies

The poem Mordred draws on Arthurian legend centering on the tragic tale of King Arthur’s nephew who driven by resentment and ambition ultimately becomes his uncle's betrayer. Campbell's Mordred is depicted as a figure torn between loyalty to family and his own desire for power leading him to betray Arthur and bring ruin upon the kingdom. This retelling explores Mordred’s internal conflict and sense of inevitability painting him as a tragic hero whose ambitions ultimately destroy him. Hildebrand on the other hand draws inspiration from Germanic legend portraying the tragic story of a warrior who unknowingly engages in a fatal duel with his own son. Campbell uses Hildebrand's tale to delve into the themes of fate and the harshness of destiny where the protagonist despite his strength and honor cannot escape the sorrowful twists of fate. Together Mordred and Hildebrand serve as meditations on ambition honor and the tragic consequences of human conflict making this collection a profound examination of human nature.