How Did King Arthur Changed Over Time

Synthesis Rough Draft Essay

King Arthur’s story about how he pulled the sword out of the stone has changed over time because the people telling the story make changes to it to satisfy the reader. Arthurian legends are much different now, than when they were told earlier in time. Many stories told earlier in time are not told today, but the ones that are told today are much different than the original. Earlier in time there was more religion involved and would have more blood and gore, but because the audience has changed, the story has changed as well.

One of the main differences between stories told pre 1900 and post 1900 is religion. Back before 1900 religion was emphasized in many novels, plays, and stories. In the book King Arthur

and Hid Knights Thomas Malory emphasizes on King Arthur’s whole life and how he became king. In the book King Arthur and Hid Knights Merlin says “I give him God’s blessing and mine” so Merlin gives Arthur God’s blessing and his (Malory 8). There are many religious references in this book; however, this line is one of the more obvious ones. In the earlier times one could know that people during this time period worshiped a God and respected the Lord. The reason that religion has dispersed through the years is because there have been many new religions created. The religion in the Arthurian Legend has changed dramatically because in places where Christiany is not the main religion the story teller would incorporate less religion and alter the story. The tales told earlier in time also tended to be bloodier and made the hero of the story seem more heroic than later in time.
In the later years of telling these stories, they changed into less bloodier and less religious based. Although this image is not bloody and doesn't exactly symbolize religion, there are still some references one could make between this picture and the legends back in time. First of all the knight in the back of the picture is carrying a blue shield and on his shield there is a cross. In addition to the cross on the shield, there is a cemetery in the back left of the picture. All of these crosses in this picture represents that these people do believe in a God and follow his saying or what they believe their Lord is saying. Second is the violence. There are many weapons in this picture including the jousting poles and the swords hanging around the knight’s belts. There are many religious and violent references; however, back in the pre-1900 time, there would be many more references than there are in the picture. Along with the picture the article Myths and Legends of the World also tells the story about King Arthur and how it has changed. In the article Myths and Legends of the World it says “The versions that survive today reflect a number of sources and influences” meaning that there are many influences that change these stories over time (Arthurian). One of the main events believed to have influenced these Arthurian Legends is the Crusade. The Crusade has influenced many stories to incorporate religion in their stories and because most people pre-1900 were apart of the same religion, these Arthurian Legends were believable and easy to relate to religiously.