Arthurian Tradition in Literature

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Arthurian Tradition in Literature

• Lisa Kot
• Prof. Chris Fee
• February 26, 1999

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Reasons for Variation in the Legend

• Because the legend was passed down orally, many
  different versions came about.
• The Welsh originated the legend, which was then
  passed down through a few different cultures
  (Anglo Saxons, French and Modern British).
• For example, the French romanticized the stories.

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Central Characters in Arthurian Literature

• King Arthur--King of the Britons.
• Guinevere--King Arthurs wife.
• Sir Lancelot--Arthurs favorite knight.
• Merlin--Magician, Arthurs counselor.

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Minor Characters in Arthurian Literature

• Sir Galahad--the pure, one of the knights of the
  round table.
• Sir Mordred--Arthurs son/nephew/brother.
• Morgain Le Fay--Arthurs half-sister/sister.
• Gawain--another knight of the round table.

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Select Examples of Arthurian Legends

• According to most of the legends, King Arthur was
  king of the Britons and a warrior of an epic
  scale.
• He was the possessor of the magic sword
  Excalibur. Depending on the legend, the magic
  sword was either a gift from the Lady of the
  Lake, or pulled from the stone in the churchyard.
  

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• Eventually he was defeated by Mordred, (Mordred
  was his son in some legends and his brother in
  others).
• Guinevere was King Arthurs wife. She was a
  beautiful woman who had a tragic love affair with
  Sir Lancelot.
• Guinevere became a nun after Mordred defeated
  King Arthur.
• Sir Lancelot was Arthurs favorite knight.
• Later Sir Lancelot betrayed Arthur by having an
  affair with Guinevere.

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• Merlin was a magician who instructed and advised
  Arthur.
• In some legends Merlin was a Druid.
• Merlins mother was mortal and his father was
  rumored to be a demon spirit.
• Sir Galahad was the knight assigned to go on the
  quest for the Holy Grail.
• Galahad is also the knight that discovers the
  affair between Guinevere and Lancelot.
• Mordred was Arthurs son (or nephew) by Morgain
  Le Fay.

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• Morgain Le Fay was Arthurs half- sister or
  sister, depending on the legend
• Morgain Le Fay was Mordreds mother.

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