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