The Theme Of Camelot In Star Wars

Think of a world full of battles, moral questions such as the importance of fate, good versus evil, and marvelous creatures that may delight or frighten those who see them. Throughout history, such stories have been told that incorporate these aspects. While the stories may vary in plot and message, they often strive to affect their audiences or readers in a specific way through similar tactics. These similarities often exist within the same genre. However, in the case of Star Wars, many genres, like science fiction, fantasy, and romance, come together and are used to present old messages in a new way. Likewise, the story of King Arthur of Camelot incorporated elements from historical dramas, fantasy, and romance genres. Specifically, the intended

messages of hope and selflessness to the audience is strengthened by the similar narrative elements of the original Star Wars trilogy and the story of King Arthur including using similar conventions, subjects, themes, and characters.
           When one considers the conventions used in King Arthur’s story and Star Wars, many similarities become apparent. For example, there is a confrontational battle between King Arthur and his son, Mordred, at the end of his story, just as Luke battles his father in The Empire Strikes Back. Both battles are made more meaningful by the fact that Luke loves and admires the image of his father that had been painted for him, while Arthur loves his son. However, Luke’s fatherly image is betrayed by Darth Vader’s confession that he is Luke’s father, just as Arthur is betrayed by Mordred. These revelations immediately result in Arthur and Luke’s rejection of evil, even if it means their own death, as Arthur dies by Mordred’s sword and Luke drops from the space station. Furthermore, there is the fantasy convention of battling a beast. In Return of the Jedi, Luke battles a rancor in order to save Princess Leia, and many Knights of the Round Table battle dragons to save various cities; both acts are part of self-imposed noble quests. Both of these conventional battles serve as messages of heroism, and selflessness in order to help others. Arthur fought for his country, and for Albion, and Luke fought for his friends, and the Rebellion.
           While conventions played an important role in the deliverance of the two stories’ messages, the subjects and themes, brought up during these stories’ plots, directly impacted the stories’ messages. Firstly, there is the subject of fate; Star Wars follows the post-modern theme of rejecting of fate in return for the idea that one can choose their own fate through their choices. For example, Luke has the choice between the dark side and the light side, rather than having his side of allegiance chosen for him. On the other hand, the story of King Arthur is wrought with prophecies about the fates of all of its characters. For example, it is fated that Mordred will be the one to kill Arthur, which inevitably happens. However, both interpretations of fate provide a sense of hope for the audience or readers. As Arthur lay dying, he is sent to Avalon, where he waits, to this day, for a time when Britain needs his help. In The Empire Strikes Back, Luke’s choice to choose his own path, rather than simply be a repetition of Darth Vader, is foreshadowed when Luke is training with Yoda and a vision of Vader appears to him, only when Vader’s mask is taken off, it reveals Luke’s face. Luke is terrified of becoming Darth Vader, and when he finds out that Vader is his father, he fears repeating the past, so he makes choices in order to avoid following in his father’s footsteps. This gives audiences hope that one’s past circumstances does not determine one’s future.
Secondly, there is the subject of incest; in Star Wars, the idea of incest comes into play when Luke finds out Leia is his sister, after having kissed her.

For King Arthur, the incest occurs when he unknowingly sleeps with his half-sister Morgana, and has a child with her, Mordred. Yet, the subject matter itself is glossed over in both accounts, most likely because both Arthur and Luke had no idea that they were related to Morgana and Leia when the incestuous incidents took place. Moreover, while both Arthur and Luke are portrayed as heroes, this kind of socially-rejected action, humanizes both characters. By showing that even kings and Jedi knights make mistakes, the audience has hope that they can overcome their faults and redeem themselves by fighting for good causes. Thirdly, there is the subject of physical and mental strength, and the theme that the power of the mind is more important than one’s physical size. (As obi wan says in ____””)_______ Finally, there is the subject of equality among leaders. The Jedi Counsel sit in a circular formation, just as the Knights of Camelot sat at the round table. This visually embodies the idea that no person and no opinion is more important than another. All power is shared equally, as the knights fight for the future kingdom and the Jedi fight for the future of the galaxy, and both the knights and the Jedi do so

selflessly.
           Furthermore, there are character similarities that exist between almost every main character in the Star Wars original trilogy and the Knights of the Round Table. Firstly, there are Luke and Arthur. Both characters are raised by people who are not their parents; Luke was raised by his aunt and uncle and Arthur was raised as a bastard child by Sir Ector, who was a loyal ally of the King's. Both Luke and Arthur had tragic beginning, but found purpose in the fighting with the Rebel Alliance and ruling a kingdom, respectively. Their character developments give the idea that self-sacrifice, for the greater-good, can lead to its own reward and happiness. Then one can compare the characters of Darth Vader and Uther Pendragon, Arthur’s father. Both characters turned to darkness during desperate times; Vader joined the dark side to safe his wife from death and Uther took his wife from another man and promised to give over any child born of that union to the wizard Merlin. The selfish choices that Vader and Uther make directly destroy their future happiness. Then Merlin takes on the challenge of raising and training Arthur to be a honorable king, just as Obi Wan and Yoda raise and train Luke to be a honorable Jedi. Furthermore, Obi Wan teaches Luke and Merlin teaches Arthur that the power of one's mind is more important than physical strength, while Merlin, Obi Wan, and Yoda all speak of fate and destiny. For example, in Return of the Jedi, Obi Wan’s ghost tells Luke that he cannot avoid his destiny of facing Darth Vader again. Another set of characters who are very similar are Queen Guinevere and Princess Leia. Both women are royalty, and are strong-willed. Furthermore, they both play a major part in the central love triangle present in both stories. In Star Wars, the central love triangle exists between Luke, Leia, and Han Solo, and in Arthurian legend, the love triangle exists between Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot. Han Solo and Lancelot, the third members of the love triangles, have much in common as well. They are strong-willed, like Leia and Guinevere, and they are very charming and charismatic.
           In conclusion, the similar conventions, subjects, themes, and characters in Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and the original Star Wars trilogy provide hope for the future and a desire to fight and make sacrifices for a better future, not just for oneself, but for others.

These messages continue to inspire new generations, especially with the new Star Wars movies that are currently being made. When The Force Awakens premiered, it provided the important themes and messages found in the original trilogy. For example, Finn rejecting the Empire and joining the rebel alliance reflects Luke’s choice to join the Light side, despite being Darth Vader’s son. Both choices demonstrate hope and one’s ability to choose their own path. Furthermore, the self-sacrifice Luke makes in A New Hope by endangering himself to destroy the Death Star parallels Rey’s sacrifice

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