Arthurian Legend

1. Arthurian Legend Myth, Reality and Modernization “And many men say that there is written upon his tomb this verse: Hic iacetArthurus, rex quondam rexquefuturus: Here lies Arthur, the once and future king.” Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morted’Arthur

2. Historical Background: Did Arthur Exist? • During the Renaissance, it was extensively argued that Arthur was a historical figure • The Tudor monarchs argued for their legitimacy by claiming kinship to Arthur The Tudor Rose Henry VIII Round Table Replica in Winchester Castle, England

3. Historical Background: Did Arthur Exist? • Modern scholarship assumes some historical reality as well • Arthur would have gained fame as a warrior battling the Germanic invaders of the late fifth and early sixth centuries • Note that the Middle Ages took place between the 5th and 16th centuries, so Arthur would have lived early on in the period • Synonymous with medieval times and ideals

4. The Legendary Sources • Welsh and Breton Sources • The Gododdin (attributed to Anierin, 9th or 10th cent.) • Mentions a great character who, despite having slain 300 warriors in battle, “was no Arthur” • The poems of Taliesin (8th to 12th cent.) • “The Chair of the Prince” – refers to “Arthur the Blessed” • “The Spoils of the Annwyn” – recounts Arthur’s journey to the Otherworld • “The Elegy of UtherPendragon” – hints at the father-son relationship between Uther and Arthur

5. The Legendary Sources • HistoriaRegumBrittaniae • Written by Geoffrey of Monmouth • A brief outline of Arthur’s life • Blurs the line between history and legend • Le Morte d’Arthur • Written by Thomas Malory • In the Romantic tradition • Emotional, rebelled against scientific rationalization • This the legend most familiar to us

6. Arthur the Legend • What does he represent? • The Ideal • Represented by his talismans • chosen by fate • The Ideal Leader • The Sword in the Stone • Ascendancy to kingship • Divine Providence • The Ideal Warrior • Excalibur • Invulnerability, invincibility in battle

7. Arthur the Legend • What does he represent? • Chivalric Qualities • A set of knightly ideals and duties • Prowess • Justice • Loyalty • Defense • Courage • Faith • Humility • Generosity • Nobility • Franchise

8. Arthur the Legend • Childhood and Background • Arthur is the offspring of Uther Pendragon and Igraine • He is taken immediately after his birth by Merlyn • Merlin gives Arthur to Ector to raise alongside Ector’s son, Kay • As a squire for Kay, Arthur realizes his birthright by drawing the sword from the stone, claiming his kingship

9. Arthur the Legend • Arthur’s Golden Age • Arthur unites England, builds Camelot, establishes a Golden Age • He is given Excalibur by the Lady of the Lake • Arthur marries Guinevere, who becomes his queen • The Round Table is formed, a gathering of the realm’s greatest knights

10. Arthur the Legend • The Last Days of Camelot • Arthur is betrayed by Lancelot and Guinevere • In an effort to heal King and Realm, Arthur’s knights quest for the Holy Grail • Mordred, Arthur’s son with Morgan le Fey, leads a rebellion against Arthur • Mordred and Arthur slay each other in single combat in the Battle of Camlann

11. Friends and Foes • Merlin • Arthur’s mentor, wizard, and architect of his kingship • Guinevere • Arthur’s queen • Sir Lancelot • Arthur’s friend and greatest knight, Knight of the Round Table • Sir Ector • Arthur’s foster father, Knight of the Round Table

12. Friends and Foes • Sir Kay • Arthur’s foster brother and seneschal, Knight of the Round Table • Morgan le Fay • Arthur’s half-sister, nemesis, and sorceress – mother of Mordred • Mordred • Arthur’s betrayer, son and killer, Knight of the Round Table • Sir Gawain • Arthur’s nephew, Knight of the Round Table

13. Friends and Foes • Sir Galahad • Son of Lancelot and Knight of the Round Table • Sir Percival • Knight of the Round Table, attainer of the Grail • Sir Tristan • Beloved of Isolde, Knight of the Round Table • Sir Bedivere • Trusted Knight of the Round Table

14. Friends and Foes • Uther Pendragon • Arthur’s natural father, King of England • Lady Ygraine • Mother of Arthur and Morgan le Fay, wife of Gorlois (Morgan’s father) and later Uther • Vivien • The Lady of the Lake. sorceress

15. Modern Tellings and Interpretations • Romanticism • Reawakened interest in Arthurian legend • Chivalric ideals shaped a code of ethics for 19th century gentlemen A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court – Mark Twain A satiric look at American practicality and Arthurian ideals Idylls of the King – Alfred Lord Tennyson Reimagined Arthur for the Victorian Era

16. Modern Tellings and Interpretations • The Modern Era • The advent of film led to many modern reworkings of Arthurian legend The Sword and the Stone – 1963 Excalibur – 1981 Monty Python and the Holy Grail – 1975 King Arthur – 2004

17. Modern Tellings and Interpretations • The Modern Era • Novels reimagined and expanded upon the legend The Mists of AvalonMarion Zimmer Bradley Tell the Arthur legend from a female perspective The Arthor Series A.A. Attanasio Incorporates elements from Norse mythos into the legend The Once and Future King T.H. White

18. The Once and Future King • Written by T.H. White and published in 1958 • Arthurian legend told with a modern sensibility and from a modern perspective • White made use of anachronism in his imagery and characterization Divided into four books with one epilogue The Sword in the Stone The Queen of Air and Darkness The Ill-Made Knight The Candle in the Wind The Book of Merlyn The Sword in the Stone focuses on a story largely untold: that of Arthur’s upbringing and education