Meaning: The quote "King Pellinore that time followed the questing beast" is from the classic work "Le Morte d'Arthur" by Sir Thomas Malory. This epic tale of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table is one of the most enduring and influential works of English literature. The quote refers to the character King Pellinore and his pursuit of the questing beast, a mythical creature that plays a significant role in the Arthurian legends.

In "Le Morte d'Arthur," King Pellinore is a knight who becomes obsessed with hunting the questing beast, a creature with the head and neck of a serpent, the body of a leopard, the haunches of a lion, and the feet of a deer. The beast is said to emit a barking sound as it roams the countryside, and its questing nature symbolizes the unattainability of certain desires and the futility of certain pursuits.

The questing beast is a central motif in the Arthurian legends, representing the elusive and unattainable nature of certain goals or ideals. King Pellinore's relentless pursuit of the questing beast reflects the theme of obsession and the quest for the unattainable that runs throughout the Arthurian stories.

Thomas Malory, the author of "Le Morte d'Arthur," was a 15th-century English writer who compiled and adapted various French and English sources to create a cohesive narrative of the Arthurian legends. His work has had a lasting impact on literature, influencing countless retellings, adaptations, and interpretations of the Arthurian myths.

The pursuit of the questing beast by King Pellinore is just one of the many adventures and quests depicted in "Le Morte d'Arthur." The novel is filled with tales of chivalry, honor, love, betrayal, and the struggle for power, all set within the mythical and magical world of Camelot and its surrounding lands.

The quote captures the sense of adventure and the relentless pursuit of a goal that is characteristic of the Arthurian legends. King Pellinore's quest for the elusive questing beast serves as a metaphor for the larger themes of the novel, including the search for meaning, the pursuit of honor and glory, and the inevitability of fate.

"Le Morte d'Arthur" has been widely studied and celebrated for its exploration of themes such as loyalty, betrayal, and the nature of heroism. The questing beast and King Pellinore's pursuit of it add another layer of depth and symbolism to the already rich tapestry of the Arthurian legends.

Overall, the quote "King Pellinore that time followed the questing beast" serves as a reminder of the timeless and universal themes explored in "Le Morte d'Arthur" and the enduring appeal of the Arthurian legends. It encapsulates the sense of adventure, mystery, and symbolism that have made these stories a staple of English literature for centuries.