Arthurian Legends Effects on English Society

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What role did the great King Arthur play in the way English Literature is perceived? The Arthurian Legends reveal King Arthur as a chivalrous king and not as a historical figure but as a myth of mass amounts of achievements. From his search of the Holy Grail, to his perfect society in Camelot and his development of the Round Table, King Arthur’s legend displayed his heroic character. Through the many countless legends of the glorious King Arthur, England’s society underwent a drastic change in the outlook on life. With the influences of King Arthur came an extreme change in philosophies and lifestyles. Countless situations on how exactly the people of England altered their views on life were they became more cultivated and highly intellectual amongst themselves. The majority of the English society felt the need to escape the strenuous lifestyle that the Industrial Revolution brought upon. The Arthurian Legends was an effect of the Romantic Era and resulted in the abstract thinking, and the beautiful arts such as music, paintings, poems, and stories. The birth of the Arthurian Legends came from Celtic mythology and medieval romance and the existence of the presence of magic confirm the conception of artistic intellect. Whether or not King Arthur truly existed the ideas of him dramatically changed the English society and English Literature to its current form. The Arthurian Legend has proven to be extremely influential and benefited the people of England during the Romantic Era. Therefore, even if he is a fictional figure of English history King Arthur’s childhood, his countless glorious achievements as the king of Camelot, the final down fall of his strong empire King Arthur validated his importance to English literature. ...

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...tousness that I acquired there;/ This is the token of the untruth I was caught in,/ And I must wear it while I still live./ A man may hide his misdeed, but never undo it,/ For where once it's attached, it is latched on forever."/ The king comforts the knight, and all the court also/ Laughs loudly about it, and courteously agrees/ That the lords and the ladies who belong to the Table,/ Each guest at the gathering, should have such a belt,/ A band of bright green circling slantwise about,/ Of the same sort as Sir Gawain's and worn for his sake” (Figg, Fiedman 2505-2518)

Works Cited

"Camelot." U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology. Vol. 2. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 205-208. Gale World History In Context. Web. 24 Feb. 2011.

"Arthurian Legends." U*X*L Encyclopedia of World Mythology. Vol. 1. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 120-124. Gale World History In Context. Web. 24 Feb. 2011.

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