1 / 16

The Legend of King Arthur

The Legend of King Arthur. Who was King Arthur? . There is great debate over who he was Possibly a king, a prince, or a renowned soldier May have been son of Uther Existed 450-550 A.D. Led battle of Mount Badon, defeating the Saxons . King Arthur of Legend.

eve
Download Presentation

The Legend of King Arthur

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. The Legend of King Arthur

  2. Who was King Arthur? • There is great debate over who he was • Possibly a king, a prince, or a renowned soldier • May have been son of Uther • Existed 450-550 A.D. • Led battle of Mount Badon, defeating the Saxons

  3. King Arthur of Legend • Biological son of Uther and Igraine • Raised by Sir Ector with foster brother Kay

  4. King Arthur of Legend • Proven heir to throne when he pulls the Excalibur from a stone • Educated and advised by Merlyn the Wizard • Presided over the Knights of the Round Table • Won respect and loyalty of all of knights • Married to Guinevere

  5. King Arthur of Legend • Reigned over 20 years of peace • Son/Nephew Mordred against his reign • Mordred died; Arthur mortally wounded • Arthur died and was buried in Glastonbury Abbey • Some said he would return to avenge his death and reign again

  6. King Arthur – the Literary Tradition • First mentioned in 800 A.D. in chronicle by Nennius • Arthur fought Saxons in 12 battles • Arthur killed 960 Saxons single-handed

  7. King Arthur – the Literary Tradition Popularized and romanticized by medieval writers including: • Geoffrey of Monmouth: History of the Kings of Britain (12th century) • Chretien de Troyes: Erec & Ened, Yvain, Lancelot, Count of the Grail (12th century) • Sir Thomas Malory: Le Morte d’Arthur (15th century)

  8. King Arthur – the Literary Tradition • Medieval authors used some elements of Celtic mythology and fantasy • Included medieval concepts such as knighthood and chivalry • Portrayed Arthur as a king, rather than as an active warrior • Wrote for an aristocratic, upper class audience

  9. King Arthur – the Literary Tradition • Post-Medieval Writers: • Lord Tennyson – Idylls of the King • T.H. White – Once and Future King (1939) • Sword in the Stone is 1 of 5 books • Marian Zimmer Bradley – The Mists of Avalon

  10. Knighthood • 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”

  11. The Code of 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

  12. Camelot • King Arthur’s castle • Meeting place of the Knights of the Round Table • The seat of King Arthur’s power • Constructed by Merlyn • Embodies ideals of knighthood

  13. Merlyn • Son of an incubus (an evil spirit) and virtuous mother • Sent as a sacrifice for King Vortigern • Merlyn saw that there were two fighting dragons under the foundation: • the white dragon represented the Britons • the red dragon represented the Saxons • Dragons fight and the white one wins • Merlyn predicted that Vortigern would be slain

  14. Merlyn • Has magical powers: • Insight into the future • Power of transformation • Advisor to Kings Pendragon, Uther, and Arthur • Responsible for Arthur’s education • Is eventually entrapped by Viviane, an enchantress • Sends Arthur’s knight on the Quest of the Holy Grail

  15. Morgan Le Fey • Called Queen of the fairies, an enchantress, and sorceress • Said to be Arthur’s half-sister • Is a constant tormentor to Arthur • Has magical powers similar to Merlyn

  16. The Arthurian Legend - Summary • Is loosely based on a real historical figure • Is not historically accurate • Has roots in Celtic mythology • Include elements of fantasy and magic • Include medieval ideals and institutions such as knighthood and chivalry • The themes are still seen today

More Related