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king arthur literary analysis
personality of the character king Arthur
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From the very beginning of our literary heritage, there have been numerous legends of heroes, Kings, and Gods. King Arthur is perhaps the best-known and most famous character of all theses legendary figures. His involvement with fighting against the Saxons from invading into South of Britain made him become one of the most important aspect of the Arthurian legend. His well-known character has placed him into being incorporated into movies, books and even plays. Due to the various of versions and stories of King Arthur the media depict him differently. One can see this throughout the movie King Arthur as well as First Knight. Although they illustrate Arthur as a fearless leader who stands his ground, he has a strong attraction towards Guinevere …show more content…
Despite, both movies portraying Arthur's character differently, there are some similarities that are present in both movies, as in his personality, his strong attraction towards Guinevere, and his belief that everyone should be treated equally. Taking a wider perspective of the movie King Arthur, one can observe that Arthur is a fearless man who is not afraid to stand his ground even if it is not his own fight. After returning home to Rome, Lancelot gets into an intense discussion with Arthur, insisting that he should not stay and fight against the Saxon as it is not his fight neither Rome's. Regardless of, Lancelot’s persistence for Arthur to stay, he refuses to listen and rather tells him,“Seize the freedom you have earned and live it for the both of us” (King Arthur). Although, Arthur could have departed and seek freedom with his knights he voluntarily decides to stay and fight against the Saxons himself from invading into Britain. Likewise, in First Knight, King Arthur shows no sense of fear when Sir Malagant aggressively confront him to sign his treaty going as far to warning him to watch his words as he says,” Your words are talking you out of peace and into …show more content…
His importance to the Arthurian Legend made him be incorporated into movie, books and plays. Due to the various of versions and stories of King Arthur there are numerous movies, books, and plays that are based off of different storylines of King Arthur, such as the movies First Knight and King Arthur. Although, they illustrate Arthur as a fearless leader who stands his ground, he has a strong attraction towards Guinevere and believes that everyone is equal, there are quite some differences from ages, to roles and his duties. The movies First Knight and King Arthur show a variety of strengths that reflect towards the Arthurian legend. For instance, both movies depict Arthur as a strong, fearless leader who stands his ground and is not afraid to back down. Correspondingly, to the Arthurian Legend as they portray King Arthur as someone whose is not willing to back down. After differentiating King Arthur and First Knight one can see that the movie King Arthur seems to be a more of a reliable source as it is more realistic, believable and detailed compared to First
In the Arthurian romance genre, Guinevere plays various roles; the purpose of her role depends on the story that she is in. In three separate stories, written by different poets, specifically Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Morte Darthur, and The Wife of Bath’s Tale, Guinevere is used to achieve different goals. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Guinevere is the catalyst of all of the stories events. The burning desire of Morgan le Fay to destroy Guinevere through dismantling the Round Table is what spurs the arrival of the Green Knight in Arthur’s court and the subsequent quest that Gawain goes on that tests his character and allows him to learn more about himself. The Guinevere in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the reason that Arthur’s
The story of King Arthur is widely known, either his beginnings told in The Sword in the Stone or how he led the Knights of the Round Table. While there are many version of his story T. H. White’s written version and Disney’s animated version of The Sword in the Stone are two of the most recognized versions. Most movies have the ability to embody the original intent of the book they were based upon. Disney’s movie version of T. H. White’s rendition of The Sword in the Stone, however, while portraying the correct story, does not truly convey enough elements of White’s version to be effective in telling the original story. The characterization and Merlyn’s ‘lessons’ within the movie inhibit the film from being an effective portrayal of the book.
There is a form of pure love and authentic chivalry that permeates throughout the Arthurian legends. Elements of loyalty and valor accompany these concepts, and all are equally represented in Chretien de Troyes' The Knight of the Cart, or more commonly known as Lancelot, the original text that portrayed the adulterous affair between Lancelot, a knight in Arthur’s court, and Arthur’s queen, Guinevere. In a similar style to the aithed (Kibler 112)—or Celtic tale of abduction —Chretien crafts a time enduring legend in which in our knight of the cart, Lancelot embarks on a romantic and chivalric quest in search of the queen, for Meleagant has taken her as prisoner to his otherworldly realm of Gorre. Along this journey, Lancelot encounters a myriad of perhaps unbearable tests and tribulations, yet he never fails to rise above these trials and continue on in his pursuit for his great love. However, all the adventures Lancelot endures all stem from one fleeting moment comprised of great sin, the instance where Lancelot hesitates for two steps before climbing into the cart that permanently shames all who ride within it.
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.
Numerous sources, such as Layamon's "Arthur's Dream", Marie de France's "Lanval" and Sir Thomas Malory's Morte Darthur, portray Guinevere as a unfaithful wife and the primary cause of the fall of King Arthur and The Round Table. In all of the three works, Guinevere is seen approaching various men such as Lanval and Sir Lancelot, knights of her husband. And, yet, she remains virtuous and appealing in the eyes of King Arthur, who loves her dearly. Such blindness or possibly Arthur's unconditional love of Guinevere and Lancelot, Arthur's best knight, lead to the fall of Arthur's Britain and of the Round Table.
The world of Arthurian literature is filled with magic and adventure that enchants readers of all ages. T.H. White has done a fantastic job of turning the childhood adventures of Arthur by turning his narrative into spellbinding, cartoon like interpretation of the sword in the stone legend. Moral values are apparent from the beginning of White’s novel. White has cleverly connected all the educational adventures of Arthur, along with the people and animals encountered to the pulling the sword out of the stone. This marvelous amalgamation of key elements not only ties the loose ends of Arthur’s adventures together, they also solidify the reasoning behind Arthurs’ predetermined path to becoming the king of England.
Expanding the Legend of King Arthur, the Legend of Queen Guinevere claims the most important woman figure during the Medieval time period. In the beginning of literature during Arthur’s reign, writers describe Guinevere as a manipulative cheater who only stays with Arthur due to his enormous power, protection, and money. Eventually, Guinevere proves this action by cheating on Arthur with multiple men and getting away with it. The early authors also demonstrate how and why Guinevere commits these acts against her husband. Over time, new writers change Guinevere into a considerate woman, but they keep some of her old actions and traits such as her political power. Using different point of views, the new storytellers develop the queen’s character
Sir Lancelot, from the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, has become by far the most popular and well-remembered knight. Through Malory's rendition of traditional materials, we have inherited a character that has become the image of the quintessential knight. How is it that "the outsider, the foreigner, the 'upstart' who wins Arthur's heart and Guinevere's body and soul" (Walters xiv) has taken the place that, prior to Malory, was reserved for Sir Gawain? Malory has made this character larger than life. Of the grandeur of Lancelot, Derek Brewer says, "In the portrayal of Lancelot we generally recognize a vein of extravagance. He is the most obsessive of lovers, as he is the most beloved of ladies, and the greatest of fighters" (8). To achieve this feat, Malory has molded Lancelot to fit the idea of the perfect knight and the perfect lover.
Throughout the Arthurian Legends there are many characters with unique values that all contribute to the story in a meaningful way. However, these characters seem to change and develop with time as different authors rewrite the Arthurian legends. Morgan is one of the most famous female characters within the legends because she is King Arthur’s half sister who is often being mischievous and trying to seek revenge on him and his wife Queen Guinevere. In the poems, Avalon from the Vita Merlini by Geoffrey of Monmouth and Morgan le Fay by Madison J. Cawein, Morgan le Fay’s character evolves as the different authors change her personality from virtuous to villainous because of the influence based on the different time periods of each author.
In “King Arthur: The Marvel of the Sword” by Mary Macleod, Arthur is forgiving, helpful, loyal, and patient. First Arthur is forgiving. For example, the-the lords and nobles proclaim Arthur king alongside the commoners, and they beg for his forgiveness. The book describes, “And Arthur forgave them, and took the sword in both his hands, and offered it on the altar where the Archbishop was and so he was made knight by the best man there” (Macleod 62). Arthur made the decision to forgive them, despite probably wanting to punish the lords and nobles for delaying and possibly attempting to assassinate him to prevent him from becoming king. Second, Arthur is helpful. In fact, when his foster brother, Sir Kay, forgot his sword at home and asked Arthur
‘I love Guenevere, the daughter of King Leodegrance of the land of Cameliard, who holdeth in his house the table round that ye told me had been given to him by my father Uther. And this damsel is the most valiant and fairest lady that I know living, or yet that ever I could find.’ ‘Sir,; said Merlin, ‘as of her beauty and fairness she is one of the fairest alive (The Marriage of King Arthur).
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...
What role did the great King Arthur play in the way English Literature is perceived? The Arthurian Legends reveal King Arthur as a chivalrous king and not as a historical figure but as a myth of mass amounts of achievements. From his search of the Holy Grail, to his perfect society in Camelot and his development of the Round Table, King Arthur’s legend displayed his heroic character. Through the many countless legends of the glorious King Arthur, England’s society underwent a drastic change in the outlook on life. With the influences of King Arthur came an extreme change in philosophies and lifestyles. Countless situations on how exactly the people of England altered their views on life were they became more cultivated and highly intellectual amongst themselves. The majority of the English society felt the need to escape the strenuous lifestyle that the Industrial Revolution brought upon. The Arthurian Legends was an effect of the Romantic Era and resulted in the abstract thinking, and the beautiful arts such as music, paintings, poems, and stories. The birth of the Arthurian Legends came from Celtic mythology and medieval romance and the existence of the presence of magic confirm the conception of artistic intellect. Whether or not King Arthur truly existed the ideas of him dramatically changed the English society and English Literature to its current form. The Arthurian Legend has proven to be extremely influential and benefited the people of England during the Romantic Era. Therefore, even if he is a fictional figure of English history King Arthur’s childhood, his countless glorious achievements as the king of Camelot, the final down fall of his strong empire King Arthur validated his importance to English literature. ...
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.
The Arthurian legends are well known in today's society. However, very few people know of the "real" Arthur -- who he was and what his accomplishments were. This paper will establish a difference between legend and truth, show evidence to support and explain who the real Arthur was, and shed some light on the sometimes confusing Arthurian legends.