1. The Sword in the Stone: An Introduction to Arthurian Legends, Chivalry, and Archetypes

2. What’s a legend?
Imaginative tale believed to have some grain of truth, some historical basis
Passed orally from generation to generation; may change over time
Reveals the values and lifestyles of culture

3. Arthurian Legends Take place in Great Britain
Fictional legends with many different versions of the life of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, Sir Lancelot, and the Knights of the Round Table
Sir Thomas Malory brought together first collection in the 1400s, called Le Morte d’Arthur
Malory both compiled the legendary tales and from middle English and French and added new stories

4. The Real King Arthur Great debate over who he was
Possibly a king, a prince, or a renowned soldier
Existed A.D.
Known as a great general; led battle of Mount Badon, defeating the Saxons

5. Characteristics of Arthurian Legends
Legends changed over time, incorporating new cultural values
Legends vary in format, length, and genre (including poetry, novels, movies, and musicals)
Writers from several nations and time periods helped create them (and the stories are still being recreated)

6. Motifs of Arthurian Legends
The king and land are one
Might for right, not might for might
Justice
Love, friendship, and betrayal
Appearance vs. reality
Redemption and forgiveness

7. 3 Classes of Medieval Society
Nobility
Clergy
Commoners

8. Page, Squire, Knight Age 7: Page Age 14: Squire Age 18-21: Knight
Servant in a household
Learns weaponry, courtesy, religion, etc.
Age 14: Squire
Personal aide to a knight
Age 18-21: Knight
If he can master the skills, he is then knighted

9. Knight Historically, knights were warriors and defenders
Dressed in full armor
Competed in tournaments and jousts to show their warrior skills
In knighting ceremony, vows to “be valiant, courteous, and loyal”

10. Chivalry A Good Knight: Uses his strength for good
Strives to be honorable and virtuous
Protects the weak
Is courteous
Respects and defends women
Is a defender of the Christian church
Is inspired to greatness by love

11. Romantic Hero hero of medieval romance
fulfills ideals of glory, nobility, justice, adventure, and loyalty

12. The Once and Future King
T.H. White’s most famous book
Wrote the novel in England after WWII.
The first three books were released independently. The entire collection was published in 1958.
The novel is based on Sir Thomas Malory’s 15th century romance Le Morte d’Arthur (Death of Arthur) and Arthurian legend.

13. About the author
Born May 29, 1906, in Bombay, India to British parents
Graduated top of his class from Queen’s College in Cambridge
Led a solitary life in which most of his companions were his pets
Made one attempt to get married, but his fiancée broke it off

14. About the author
After teaching at Stowe School, an English boys’ school, he dedicated himself to the study of medieval life and became a full-time author.
On-again, off-again alcoholic
Died aboard ship in Athens, Greece, on January 17, 1964, after a lecture tour in America

15. Important Symbols: Camelot
Arthur’s Castle
Embodies ideals of knighthood
Meeting place of Knights of the Round Table

16. Important Symbols: Round Table
Mystical Table in Camelot
Given to Arthur by King Lodegreaunce (Guinevere's Father)
Table where Arthur’s knights meet
Symbolized equal status among knights

17. Important Symbols: Excalibur
King Arthur's mythical sword
Sword in the stone only drawn by real king.

18. Arthurian Legend: A Summary
Is loosely based on a real historical figure
Is not historically accurate
Has roots in Celtic mythology
Includes elements of fantasy and magic
Includes medieval ideals and institutions such as knighthood and chivalry
Themes are still seen in literature and film today

19. Archetype: definition
An archetype is an original model or pattern from which other later copies are made, especially a character, an action, or situation that seems to represent common patterns of human life.
Archetypes recur in different times and places in myth, literature, folklore, fairy tales, dreams, artwork, and religious rituals.

20. Archetype: definition
Dr. Carl Jung first identified universal patterns within works and mythology regardless of culture or historical period.
Jung hypothesized that the human mind contained a “collective unconscious” shared by all members of the human species. This theory can be applied to the concept of the hero and the hero’s journey.

21. Literary Archetypes
Archetypes often include a symbol, a theme, a setting, or a character that some critics think have a common meaning in an entire culture, or even the entire human race.  
An archetype is a universal “prototype” or template
Archetypes can be:
images
themes
symbols
ideas
plot patterns
settings

22. The Hero’s journey (one variation of similar patterns)
Stage 1, Departure: The hero is called to adventure, although he is reluctant to accept.
Stage 2, Initiation: The hero crosses a threshold into a new, more dangerous world, gaining a more mature perspective.
Stage 3, The Road of Trials: The hero is given supernatural aid, endures tests of strength, resourcefulness, and endurance.
Stage 4, The Innermost Cave: The hero descends into the innermost cave, an underworld, or some other place of great trial. Sometimes this place can be within the hero’s own mind. Because of this trial, the hero is reborn in some way—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Through this experience, the hero changes internally.
Stage 5, Return and Reintegration with Society: The hero uses his new wisdom to restore fertility and order to the land
(another variation)

23. Literary Archetypes Hero Mentor Clown/Jester Rogue Underdog Innocent
Trickster
Damsel in Distress