why is king arthur important? ideals of british chivalry (perfect) cultural history and values
TRANSCRIPT
THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR
Why is King Arthur important? Ideals of British chivalry (perfect) Cultural history and values
CHARACTERISTICS OF A ROMANTIC HERO
Mysterious Birth Duke of Cornwall + Igraine + Uther
Pendragon
Morgan LeFay Arthur
Mordred
2. RAISED IN OBSCURITY
Merlin Wizard you raised Arthur
Ector A baron who raised Arthur as a nephew –
no blood relation Kay
Ector’s 1st born son who becomes a knight. He is a squire at present and treats Arthur like a young cousin
3. INITIATION INVOLVING A MAGICAL WEAPON
Sword in the Stone. This makes Arthur King. Merlin put this sword in the stone and cast a spell that only Arthur would be able to pull it out. The sword was stated that who ever is able to pull the sword out would be King.
Now the sword in the stone was the 1st sword. Arthur actually had 2 swords.
The sword in the stone, Arthur uses in battles and it did break therefore leaving him in need of a 2nd sword, which is called………
4. HELPED BY WISE MENTORS AND MAGICAL WEAPONS
This is where Excalibur comes into the legend.
Excalibur is a magical sword that only Arthur is able to use. It was given to him by “the Lady of the Lake” who is also known as Vivian.
5. FIGHTS TO DESTROY EVIL AND PROMOTE PEACE
Symbolizes Ideal Knights
Signifies unity which ended the petty arguing among the Lords/Barons
Everyone is equal Created a tight bond
with the Knights Arthur unified Briton
(England)
Some of the Knights (famous) Lancelot Galihad (Lancelot’s son) Gawain (Arthur’s nephew) Triston
CAMELOT
Arthur’s Castle Capitol City Central Court Symbol of the
Kingdom “Peace” The Perfect Court
Avalon A magical island that is associated with
healing. If you were hurt in battle this is where you went to be healed by the priestesses.
Legend has it that Lancelot may have been raised here since his mother was a priestess.
Avalon is surrounded by a mist
THE QUEST FOR THE HOLY GRAIL
THE QUEST FOR THE HOLY GRAIL
Grail is a word for cup This is the cup that Jesus drank from at the
last supper. Legend/rumor had it where the cup was
taken to England to be hid. Legend has it, if you drank from this cup
you would live forever. Some legends said that you would be healed by drinking from the cup. This is a metaphor that became literal.
Arthur gets sick as well as the land. Crops do not grow, things are dying and not thriving, a “funk” just covers the area.
The Knights decide that they must go and find this cup to save Arthur. This is their biggest conquest. The Knights scatter to search for the cup. Unfortunately most of them die in the search.
To find the cup you must be pure. The Legend states that Galahad finds the cup.
In the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark The last Crusade, Indiana Jones finds the cup because he had good plans/intentions for the cup. It is believed that it is Galahad that is there protecting cup when Jones arrives.
THE LOVE TRIANGLE
Lancelot
Best Knight and Loyal Friend
Arthur
Gwenivere
Married to Arthur and falls in love with Lancelot