KING ARTHUR

1
KING ARTHUR
2
INTRODUCING KING ARTHUR

• Historical Arthur
• Dark Ages

• Literary Arthur
• Medieval

3

• Arthur as presented in the legends was NOT a real
  person.
  
• There was, however, a chieftan named Arthur.
• Historical Arthur lived in the Dark Ages, at the
  end of the 5th and beginning of the 6th
  centuries.
  
• Literary Arthur comes from medieval times, during
  the 12th century.
  

4

• History of Arthur
• Celtic mythology
• Romantic themes
• Fairylike elements
• ____________________
• Arthurian Legend

5
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS

• Uther Pendragon Arthurs biological father.
• Igraine Arthurs biological mother
• Sir Ector - Arthurs adoptive father
• Merlin Arthurs counselor, prophet, magician,
  wizard he placed Arthur with Sir Ector.
  
• Morgan le Fay Arthurs half sister healer
  shape-changer an adversary of both Arthur
  Guinevere she took Arthur to the barge that
  would take him to Avalon to be healed.
• Morgause Arthurs half sister married to King
  Lot mother of Gawain, Gaheris, Agravain, Gareth,
  Mordred.

6

• Sir Kay son of Sir Ector raised as Arthurs
  step-brother.
  
• Mordred Arthurs nephew seized Guinevere
  rebelled against Arthur killed by Lancelot after
  the last battle.
  
• Guinevere Arthurs wife Lancelots lover.
• Lancelot Arthurs chief knight rival for
  Guineveres love.
  
• The Lady of the Lake aka Vivienne gave
  Excalibur to Arthur enchanted imprisoned
  Merlin.
  
• Joseph of Arimathea soldier of Pontius Pilate
  who was given the cup (Holy Grail) from the Last
  Supper settled in Glastonbury.
  

7
IMPORTANT PLACES

• Camelot King Arthurs kingdom.
• Tintagel Castle conception place of Arthur.
• Isle of Avalon island to which Arthur is sent
  to recover from the last battle.
  
• Glastonbury claimed by some to be the actual
  Isle of Avalon, as it was once surrounded by
  marshes.

8
IMPORTANT OBJECTS

• Excalibur Arthurs magical sword given to him
  by The Lady of the Lake.
  
• The Holy Grail the cup used by Christ at the
  Last Supper used by Joseph of Arimathea to catch
  Christs blood when he was on the cross.
  
• The Round Table the table given as part of
  Guineveres dowry used by Arthur and his
  knights. Each knights name was magically
  inscribed on the table. Everybody was equal.

9

• Knight
• Mounted warrior
• Man of rank, or in service of a man of rank
• Generally possesses some independent means of
  support, but relies on the gratitude of those he
  has served
  
• Knights errant -- wandering knights who traveled
  the country in quest of adventure

10
Chivalryknighthood its code of honor

• Invincible strength
• Valor
• Justice
• Modesty
• Loyalty to superiors
• Courtesy to equals
• Compassion to weakness
• Devotedness to the church

11
RULES/CODES for KNIGHTS

• To never do outrage nor murder
• Always to flee treason
• To by no means be cruel but to give mercy unto
  him who asks for mercy
  
• To always do ladies, gentlewomen and widows
  succor (to go to the aid of one in distress to
  help)
  
• To never force ladies, gentlewomen or widows
• Not to take up battles in wrongful quarrels for
  love or worldly goods
  
• To never lay down arms
• To seek after wonders

12

• When called upon, to defend the rights of the
  weak with all one's strength
  
• To injure no one
• Not to attack one another
• To fight for the safety of one's country
• To give one's life for one's country
• To seek nothing before honour
• Never to break faith for any reason
• To practice religion most diligently
• To grant hospitality to anyone, each according to
  his ability
  
• Whether in honour or disgrace, to make a report
  with the greatest fidelity to truth to those who
  keep the annals
  

13
So Why Should Arthur Matter?

• Were going to read about him!!!
• Thomas Malory wrote Le Morte DArthur in the
  Middle Ages
  
• Numerous other stories about Arthur since then
• John Steinbeck wrote The Acts of King Arthur
  and His Noble Knights based on Malorys version.