Arthurian Legend

1500 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Gender in Romeo and Juliet

Arthurian Legend

Even though the Arthur legend is hundreds of years old, our culture today is still fascinated with the idea of the Round Table and the love triangle between Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere. There are movies and books galore to read about the different takes on the legend of Arthur. However, it makes one wonder if our culture really understands the Arthurian legend. Especially in the movies the central idea of a literary work can be lost. Compared to Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur have movies lost sight of what the Arthurian legend tries to teach?

Le Morte d’Arthur has several different themes working within in for Hollywood to choose from. An easy one for moviemakers is the glorification of the hero. In Malory’s work it appears that he is glorifying Arthur but really his work is being very critical. Arthur is an interesting man, and Malory constructs his character to stand out. But he also gives Arthur flaws that inevitably bring about his demise.

Malory also makes Merlin an intriguing character. However, Merlin is very ominous. He tries to steer Arthur in the right direction but he is not entirely a positive character. His magic and his ability to see the future make Merlin someone to be wary of. Merlin may not be represented in the movies so mysteriously.

Another large part of the Arthurian legend is the theme of betrayal. Many movies do not cover how Arthur was conceived but in Le Morte d’Arthur, Malory discloses Arthur was conceived through betrayal. The betrayal theme continues when Lancelot and Guenevere start their romance. It is Lancelot and Guenvere’s betrayal that brings the downfall of the Round Table and Camelot.

The Round Table and the idea of unity are two more major themes. In much o...

... middle of paper ...

...’s work. For courtly love to survive, there has to be a third party to make things complicated. Just as in Tristan and Isuelt, the fun is supposed to be over when it is okay to be together. But First Knight goes in a completely different direction. Not to mention the glorification of Lancelot, played by Richard Gere. The movie does not glorify Arthur in the same way. However, it is not surprising that the movie would favor the younger of the two men.

As illustrated by the three movies, Hollywood bends the Arthurian legend anyway it can to make money off of it. There still are many movies out there that deal with the legend. These three are just some of the most popular and, one would think, the best movies dealing with the legend. Each movies takes a particular theme and tries to deal with it, either completely going against what Malory wrote or complementing it.

Show More
Related

  • The Code of Chivalry in The Once and Future King

    1147 Words  | 3 Pages

    The love triangle of Arthur, Lancelot, and Guenever is a constant theme throughout every account of the Arthurian legend. Geoffrey Ashe's The Arthurian Handbook states that "We may say that these knights are expected to serve their King..."(81). The revelation of the affair finally comes when Sir Agravaine shouts, "'Traitor Knight! Sir Lancelot, now art thou taken'"(White 569). Lancelot was summoned to Queen Guenever's bedroom, and Sir Agravaine is finally exposing the affair and gaining revenge on Lancelot for unhorsing him many times in the past. The two people that Arthur trusts most are Guenever and Lancelot. Arthur is well aware of the affair between the two, but chooses to pretend that nothing is going on. Due to this naivety, Arthur earns the disrespect (and even hatred) of Agravaine and Mordred, who eventual...

    Read More

  • The Feudal System In Lanval By Mari De France

    1719 Words  | 4 Pages

    King Arthur’s forgetful nature illustrates the fallacy of the feudal system which Mari de France refers to. Joseph and Francis Gies comment on this as they describe “[the real destroyer was not gunpowder but central government” (219). The political system in place proved ineffective as it favored certain elites. The nobility prospered while the commoners perished in anguish which is clearly presented in Lanval. Lanval fails to thrive while his comrades continue to gain wealth. Lanval’s distress stems from King Arthur which reflects the ineffective political system. Kings stabilize society as they dominate much of the politics and decisions made, yet kings frequently “forget” about the lower classes. Mari de France references this as two separate kings fail to reward Lanval. Lanval received “nothing from [his father]” (Mari de France 31) nor did Lanval receive “ample patronage” (Marie de France 13) from King Arthur. Those unfortunately in the third estate lack any political influence. Therefore, commoners have little control over the quality of their life. King Arthur, as any king should, must ensure the prosperity of his subjects especially the most loyal. Kings cannot deviate from this as the feudal system will not support this. France and Joseph Gies refer to this in their book Life in a Medieval Castle. France and Joseph Gies discuss the daily lives of the king and the subjects. The

    Read More

  • Did King Arthur Truly Exist?

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    Who was King Arthur? Most people would tell of a great King; a devoted circle of heroic knights; mighty castles and mightier deeds; a time of chivalry and courtly love; of Lancelot and Guinevere; of triumph and death. Historians and archaeologists, especially Leslie Alcock, point to shadowy evidence of a man who is not a king, but a commander of an army, who lived during the late fifth to early sixth century who may perhaps be the basis for Arthur. By looking at the context in which the stories of King Arthur survived, and the evidence pertaining to his castle Camelot and the Battle of Badon Hill, we can begin to see that Arthur is probably not a king as the legend holds.

    Read More

  • Monty Python and the Holy Grail

    1230 Words  | 3 Pages

    •     There were also scenes ever so often a historian would pop up and give you a brief narrative about what was going on in the movie. This was a parody of all the historians that covered the story of Arthur. The comedic affect was delivered when Arthur killed the historian at the end of the movie.

    Read More

  • Guenever's Love Triangle

    1125 Words  | 3 Pages

    To begin, Guenever manipulates Lancelot’s feelings. She is the majority of his problems and dilemmas. Lancelot tries not to betray Arthur’s trust and save his virtue, but his love for Guenever is making his decisions that much harder. She would tell him to “’Come back soon’” (340) and leave as she pleased. It affects Lancelot’s ability to maintain his integrity, because Guenever is confusing him, by giving him mixed signals. She makes him think about going against Christianity and the idea of chivalry, two things that he lives by. “You have won him, and you have broken him. What will you do with him next?” said Elaine (396). Lancelot is confused and he can’t focus on anything other than Guenever, no matter where he is. She is breaking him down emotionally, to the extent where he starts hating himself for loving her. Then, when Guenever finds out about Lancelot and Elaine sleeping together in her castle, she goes ballistic. “’Get out of my castle,’ screamed the queen at the top of her voice. ‘Never show your face in it again, your evil, ugly, beastlike face,’” (395). Having his beloved say this to him causes him to lose it, leading him to jump out of the window. No one knew what happened to him. A couple of years later when Lancelot was living with Elaine, the mother of his child...

    Read More

  • Revenge is Futile: Le’ Morte d’ Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory

    1097 Words  | 3 Pages

    Le’ Morte d’ Arthur is a medieval romaunce by Sir Thomas Malory about King Arthur, Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table, violence plays a very crucial part in the story. Many different kinds of violence occur in this set of stories, some of which are very ordered and fine, like jousting, and also disordered violence like war. The worst type of violence though is when people use violence to get vengeance, which is a major theme, because many of these knights are mad at others. While many of the knights in the book are concerned with getting revenge, these actions and the search for vengeance are often futile and almost always end badly.

    Read More

  • Perspective of Aging: A Phenomenological Approach

    1115 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hiller, S. M., & Barrow, G. M. (2011). Aging, the individual, and society. (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

    Read More

  • Successful Aging Elderly (SAE)

    2206 Words  | 5 Pages

    Aging and old age for a long time presented as dominated by negative traits and states such as sickness, depression and isolation. The aging process is not simply senescence most people over the age of 65 are not Senile, bedridden, isolated, or suicidal (Aldwin & Levenson, 1994). This change in perspective led the investigation of the other side of the coin. Ageing is seen as health, maturity and personal Royal growth, self-acceptance, happiness, generatively, coping and acceptance of age-related constraints (Birren & Fisher, 1995). Psychological und...

    Read More

  • Aging Adult And Successful Adulting Emboging

    676 Words  | 2 Pages

    Of the theories listed in our text regarding the health of psychosocial aging, the theory most in line with my idea of successful aging is “Life Course/ Lifespan Development” a theory developed by Back. Back’s theory suggests that as we age the roles throughout our lives are altered in one-way or another and our relationships also change. As one ages, their role changes could be from a mother who has raised children majority of her life to having an empty nest and only caring for her significant other, to being a grandmother. Responsibilities are not necessarily removed, just slightly different. Transitioning from psychosocial to biological again there are several theories trying to conceptualize how and why it is our bodies age I am led to side with Hayflick and Moorehead’s Programmed theory suggesti...

    Read More

  • Life's Lessons in The Once and Future King

    1094 Words  | 3 Pages

    Arthur's wife Guenever has an affair with one of Arthur's best knights, Lancelot. Since he is a just king, Arthur feels obligated to persecute them for adultery and treason. This went along with Mordred's plan to upset the court and, since he was the only son of Arthur (not with Guenever however), to become King of England. Lancelot kills Gareth, Gaheris, and Agravaine, all knights of the Roundtable. Mordred convinces a surviving knight, Gawaine that Lancelot killed them out of his own hatred of England.

    Read More

  • Nuclear Chemistry

    1999 Words  | 4 Pages

    The nuclei are ejected from heavy, unstable nuclei so as to remove excess protons and neutrons. However, the formed nuclei may still be radioactive in which even further decay will occur. Alpha emissions occur in nuclei with atomic numbers greater than 83. E.g 23892U  42He + 23490Th (both mass and No. of protons are conserved during the reaction)

    Read More

  • Morte D Arthur Character Analysis

    1126 Words  | 3 Pages

    "I have always been intrigued by these lives I have never experienced," Daniel Day-Lewis. Intriguing, or fascinating things usually catch attention, whether it be a person a place or a thing. In The Green Knight and Morte D'Arthur, much of the stories catch your attention. In both of these stories, King Arthur is this heroic figure who seems to put himself at the front of the line whenever it seems it is his duty to do so. When no one stands up to take the challenge in The Green Knight, King Arthur is the one to do so. Also, in Morte D'Arthur, When Arthur hears word that he will die if he battles his son the next day as planned so he takes it into his own hands to try and make peace with his son so nothing bad happens. Throughout both of these stories not only is Arthur notable and strong, but he is an intriguing person as well. Arthur is such an

    Read More

  • Sir Lancelot Character Analysis

    616 Words  | 2 Pages

    How would you describe Sir Lancelot? Most people would say he is the strongest, bravest, and kindest knight of the round table. Some might say he is the biggest Benedict Arnold of all time because of the adultery he committed with Queen Guinevere. However, his chivalry and code of honor make him the epitome of a true gentleman. These contrasting qualities set Sir Lancelot apart from all the other knights and characters in the “Morte D’Arthur.” Lancelot’s gallant, courageous, and conflicting personality make him a complex character in this dramatic tale of love and betrayal.

    Read More

  • Betrayal in Malory's Le Morte D’Arthur

    1131 Words  | 3 Pages

    Malory's Le Morte D’Arthur isn't known to be classic just because of Arthur-but rather the themes of family, love, revenge, identity, loyalty and betrayal. As King, Arthur is put in many situations that test the people he surrounds himself with. Therefore, betrayal has become a reoccurring theme. Throughout the novel, people are seen betraying each other. Betrayal has become familiar in a way to the members of the round table, ultimately leading to it's demise. The acts of betrayal occur in various forms, whether it be through adultery or just going behind the other person's back. Regardless of how it happens it brings about serious disorder for all involved.

    Read More

  • Radioactivity Essay

    767 Words  | 2 Pages

    Radioactivity is the energy or particles that are released from the nucleus of an atom due to spontaneous changes. Some atoms are unstable, and emitting radiation will achieve a stable state. The main forms of radiation emissions from a decaying and unstable nucleus can be in the form of alpha, beta or gamma radiation. When a positively-charged particle is emitted from the nucleus of an atom, this is called alpha decay. This alpha particle would consist of two protons and two neutrons, similar to a helium-4 nucleus. Whereas when a particle, either as an electron with either negative or positive charge, is emitted from the nucleus, this would be known as beta decay. And finally, when a nucleus is at a high energy state, photons known as gamma particles would be released to lower the energy state. Worldwide, people have found the use of radioactivity for society, from scientific applications to medical uses and to industrial uses. However, there are many positive and negative effects of using radioactivity.

    Read More

More about Arthurian Legend

Open Document