1. The Arthurian Legend The Man, the Myth, the Archetype

2. CONTENTS Legend Literary focus: archetypes Arthur: Importance, fact or fiction, history Literary tradition Key objects Key themes Key Characters Key places Romance motifs Spin offs

3. Legend a traditional historical tale popularly regarded as true, but usually containing a mixture of fact and fiction not to be confused with a myth (A traditional, typically ancient story dealing with supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes, used to explain aspects of the natural world or customs, or ideals of society)

4. Literary Focus: Archetypes An archetype is a pattern that appears in literature across cultures and is repeated through the ages. An archetype can be a character, a plot, an image, or a setting. – Ex. The Quest The Arthurian legend is full of archetypes Circle of Character Archetypes

5. Why is Arthur Important? 1.It Provided a hero to a conquered people.(Celts, Ango-Saxons) Think of all the invasions we’ve discussed 2.Tales form a common bond between Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Norman. Warrior King Arthur – Anglo-Saxon Chivalric Tradition – Anglo-Norman 3.It’s one of the most referenced characters in Western Literature. King Arthur, c. 1385

6. Did He Exist? Historical Arthur Celtic/Anglo-Saxon Arthur Welsh chieftain warrior in the histories of 500-1100 may have really existed – not a king Fictional Arthur Anglo-Norman Arthur could just be a combination of great leaders Normans add chivalry, romance, quest, love, etc. Norman romances focus more on knights. Mixes Celtic rites with Christian values

7. True History Most scholars believe that a King or warrior named Arthur (Briton?) defeated the Saxons in the 5 th or 6 th century. This appears in one of the oldest accounts of English History Geoffrey of Monmouth's imaginative 12 th century Historia Regum Britanniae, he took it from a Celtic manuscript. There are ruins of a castle in Cornwall that many believe to belong to Arthur Not much else is known; accounts of Arthur seem to be mysteriously missing from all Anglo-Saxon chronicles and other history books

8. True History Romans leave Britannia (436 AD) Angles and Saxons started invading the Isle. Celts were pushed further back by the invaders to Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and Ireland. Start of the legend in Wales: need of a Briton hero Legend adapted to the times of the different authors Romans leave Britannia (436 AD) Angles and Saxons started invading the Isle. Celts were pushed further back by the invaders to Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and Ireland. Start of the legend in Wales: need of a Briton hero Legend adapted to the times of the different authors

9. Arthurian Literary Tradition Nennius – 9 th century – Welsh monk – wrote Historia Brittonum – 1st reference to an Arthur – Arthur fights 12 battles. – His Arthur is the “greatest of all the Celts” – an important hero to the declining Celtic community.

10. Arthurian Literary Tradition Geoffrey of Monmouth – 12 th century (1133 AD) – wrote Historia Regumn Britanniae – one of the most important books of the Middle Ages – adds Merlin to the Arthurian legend – tales mostly focused on Arthur with little mention of his other knights. – inspired the next generation of authors Merlin Reads his Prophecies to Vortigern

11. Arthurian Literary Tradition Chrétien de Troyes – 12th century – French – introduces character of Lancelot and the Arthur / Guinevere / Lancelot love triangle – Courtly romance / single hero adventures – example of Anglo-Norman cultural influence with the increased influence of the chivalric tradition ( love, adventure, distant lands) Sir Launcelot

12. How Sir Bedivere Cast the Sword Excalibur into the Water Arthurian Literary Tradition Layamond ( 13 th century) - Priest who wrote it in English. - Arthur doesn’t die, stays in Avalon to return. Sir Thomas Malory – 15 th century – English – compiled the various tales into one work: Le Mort d’Arthur The Death of Arthur – expands the characters of Lancelot and Guinevere and makes the affair chaste and pure – still read today and highly influential

13. Lady of Shallot Looking at Lancelot Arthurian Literary Tradition Alfred, Lord Tennyson – 19 th century – English – composed many works on the Arthurian tradition: “The Lady of Shalott,” “The Death of Arthur,” “Idylls of the King” – Father of the Arthurian Renaissance in Victorian England.

14. Cover, The Once and Future King Arthurian Literary Tradition T. H. White – 20 th century – English – wrote The Sword in the Stone (1938) and The Once and Future King (1958) – based heavily on Malory’s work – The Once and Future King deals with darker themes as Arthur grows older

15. Key Objects The Holy Grail The Round Table Excalibur Arthur and the Round Table

16. A Country Religiously Divided Arthur was a member of the Old Celtic religion (as evident by keeping a Royal wizard, Merlin, worship nature, believe in magic) However, a new religion, Christianity, was beginning. Guinevere, Arthur’s wife, was a member of this religion. Arthur and Guinevere were having trouble conceiving. Guinevere believed this was because God was punishing Arthur for believing in pagan gods and encouraging his people to do so as well. To try to remedy the problem of an heir and heal the country, which had once again grown restless, Arthur established the Crusades.

17. Crusades and the Holy Grail Because the Celtic religion is based upon tangible items and nature, Arthur would need artifacts to convince his country to convert to Christianity. With the help of Merlin, Arthur decided to send his knights on a quest for religious artifacts, more commonly know as the Crusades. – The body of Joseph of Arimathea – The Spear of Destiny – The Holy Grail – King Solomon’s Temple – Byzantine Crown of Thorns – Holyrood (the cross on which Jesus died)

18. Key Objects: The Holy Grail – Cup that Jesus drank out of at the Last Supper – Joseph of Arimithea brought grail to England – People go on a“quest” for it which requires much of the individual. – it has special powers, and is designed to provide happiness, eternal youth and food in infinite abundance – only artifact not recovered which explains its continued popularity

19. The Holy Grail and The Templars Knights Templar, or the Order of Solomon's Temple, were among the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades. They had great economic power. In charge of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, they were supposed to have found relics such as the Holy Grail or the Ark of the Covenant One version: Arthur encouraged people to visit the Holy Land and created the Knights Templar who were warriors sent to protect the road. Some versions see the Templars in the knights of the Round Table

20. Key Objects: The Round Table When Arthur assumes power, England is torn apart by war, is fractioned into city-states, and is on the brink of invasion by the Saxons To unite the country and defeat the Saxons, Arthur creates the Knights of the Round table. This is a revolutionary idea for the time. Each city state is represented by a knight. No one knight, including King Arthur himself, has more power than another. Arthur creates a democratic society. Because of this alliance, Arthur and his knights defeat the powerful Saxons in a series of 12 battles.

21. Key Objects: Excalibur Magical sword Arthur receives from the Lady in the Lake OR from a stone where Merlin placed it It is said that the key to Arthur’s success is the sword Excalibur which he always takes into battle. Excalibur is said to make its bearer invincible.

22. Key Themes/Archetypes Tragic Love Triangle Arthur / Guinevere/ Lancelot Christian allegories: Traitor/Judas Figure: Mordred Fall of the central community / end of order betrayal Messianic return from battle Examination of kingship Conflict between love and duty, loyalty : Arthur, Lancelot Adventure filled with battles and marvels

23. Key Characters Uther Pendragon – Arthur’s biological father Igraine – Arthur’s biological mother Merlin – Arthur’s counselor, prophet & wizard Morgan le Fay – Arthur’s half-sister; in some versions full sister; magical; adversary Mordred – Arthur’s nephew; or in some versions his illegitimate son; kidnaps Guinevere and rebels; killed by Lancelot Sir Gawain, The Green Knight – Arthur’s nephew, perfect knight. Defender of women and the poor, strong, courteous, healer with herbs, loyal.

24. Key Characters Guinevere - Arthur’s queen, childless - She has an affair with Lancelot - abducted by Mordred Sir Lancelot - Arthur’s chief knight, French - The “perfect” knight but has affair with Guinevere Sir Galahad - Lancelot’s illigitimate son, good, brave, pure and loyal, achieved the quest for the Holy Grial and ascended to heaven ( XIII century) Lancelot and Guinevere by Herbert James Draper (1863-1920)

25. Guinevere After the battles with the Saxons, England finally experiences peace. During this time, Arthur decides to marry the lovely young Guinevere. She does not see him before they are married. Arthur sends his most trusted knight Lancelot to fetch her. Guinevere, upon seeing Lancelot, believes he is her husband to be and falls in love with him. Arthur marries her and they are happy for some time. She follows the Christian faith.

26. Morgan le Fey and Mordred Arthur unknowingly had a half sister, Morgan le Fey, Morgaine. She believed that she was rightful ruler. Morgan belonged to the old religion, she practised magic and healing and was said to be a witch and a powerful woman. In an attempt to usurp the throne, she slept with Arthur and conceived a son. Her son, Mordred, threatened Arthur’s marriage and his throne. He fights him in the battle of Camlann where Arthur kills him and gets mortally wounded.

27. Mordred and Guinevere During the search for the Holy Grail Arthur’s life begins to fall apart. Some versions of the story have Arthur gone 10-20 years on his quest. In Arthur’s absence, Mordred has been raised to hate Arthur, but also to be a knight. Arthur returns and knights Mordred, invites him to the round table. Guinevere has begun to realize her true love for Lancelot, not Arthur, during both his absences. Mordred discovers Guinevere’s betrayal and kidnaps her. Other versions: Mordred usups the throne and marries Guinevere

28. The Most Famous Affair in Literary History Mordred sees the possibility to overthrow his father in Lancelot. Mordred discovers Guinevere and Lancelot’s affair (the two people that Arthur loves most) and convinces the rest of the Round Table to capture Lancelot in the act. Lancelot escapes but Guinevere is captured and is to be burned at the stake for her treachery against the king. She is rescued at the last minute by Lancelot and the two escape and are never heard from again. ( or she goes to a convent and he escapes) Arthur does not follow them due to the problems of his kingdom. They are once again on the brink of war and Mordred has turned much of the Round Table against him. ( some versions differ) The First Knight (1995) The First Knight

29. Key Places Camelot – King Arthur’s kingdom. Unknown location; Winchester or Cadbury? Isle of Avalon (Isle of Apples) – island to which Arthur is sent to recover from the last battle, surrounded by marshland, nine sisters lived there, magic place, (Gladstonbury?) Tintangel Arthur’s birth place, Merlin’s cave Gustave Doré’s illustration of Lord Alfred Tennyson’s “Idylls of the King”, 1868.

30. The Fall of Camelot Metaphorically, the country already had fallen with the betrayal of Arthur’s only love and his best friend There are many versions of the story. All of which end with Arthur’s death in battle. Some of the versions include the following battles: – Saxons – Romans – Goths – French – Irish – Lancelot – Morgan de fey – Mordred All of the stories end with Arthur’s glorious death in battle, all that any legendary king or hero can ask for.

31. Romance Motifs Motif - an idea, object, place, or statement that appears frequently throughout a piece of writing, which helps contribute to the work’s overall theme Faithful Follower Wise old man Dreams Number three Magic Testing of Follower Betrayal

32. Spin Offs Camelot, like Middle Earth, is a world rich with characters and stories of chivalry, fairies, magic and monsters. As such, it spawned countless spin-offs and parallel stories. Some of the most famous of these stories are: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Percival (A Grail Knight) Opera Tristan and Isolde The White Stag The Lady of the Lake Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court Monty Python and the Holy Grail Excalibur (John Boorman1981) Excalibur Board games, anime, comics series ( BBC Merlin)