Christian Elements in the King Arthur - 1295 Words

Through the modern eyes, history of Western civilization, from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Age of Discovery, is seen through Medieval literature. Ten centuries of history are noticed, involving individual products of heroic periods and their unique era of culture. Acknowledging Medieval literature illustrates a society of heroic knights, led by a luxurious king, charging into battle, romantic connections between royalty and a common person, and new discoveries being found. As well as times characterized by feudal activity, along with the Catholic Church holding an influencing control of society, and placing heavily on the laws they laid. The Church ruled simultaneously with the government, controlling every aspect of the Medieval†¦show more content†¦The adulterous affair between King Arthur’s most trusted knight Lancelot, and his wife, Guinevere, is symbolic to the coming of the mischievous serpent in God’s garden as a result to an end of a perfect wor ld. According to the influential work of Sir Thomas Malory at the end of the 15th century, there became one of the major causes of the downfall of Arthur’s Round Table. Through various parts of literature, Lancelot’s romantic character becomes known. In The Knight of the Cart (ca. 1175), by Chrà »tien de Troyes Sir Lanceolt rescues Guinevere from the evil knight, Meleagent, and ultimately spends the night with the queen in her chamber. He later listens and obeys every instruction she asks Lancelot to do, such as to do his worst in the Tournament. Another major romance of which Lancelot is the protagonist is the extensive early 13th-century Prose Lancelot, a part of the Vulgate Cycle of Arthurian romances. Here, he is raised by the Lady of the Lake, and by 18 sent to Arthur’s court after realizing his royal percentage. He is given a sword by Guinevere, who knights him in a ceremony of divided loyalties. He goes to act of numerous adventures for the king to earn his reputation, but his adultery with the queen disables his legitimacy to succeed in the quest for the Holy Grail. In the last romance of the cycle, Lancelot and theShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Poem Sir Gawain And The Green Knight 1491 Words   |  6 Pagesfictional reign of King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table, who most famously, resided in Camelot. The poem, â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight†, written during the medieval period, is without a doubt one of the best fictional stories to ever come from this era. I found it especially interesting that both Christianity and Paganism intertwine during this heroic story. This encourages whoever is reading it to have a contrasting mindset because the story has not only Christian elements, but many paganRead More King Arthur Essay1157 Words   |  5 PagesKing Arthur Character Analysis Although King Arthur is one of the most well-known figures in the world, his true identity remains a mystery. Attempts to identify the historical Arthur have been unsuccessful, since he is largely a product of fiction. Most historians, though, agree that the real Arthur was probably a battle leader of the Britons against the Anglo-Saxons in the sixthth century. In literature, King Arthurs character is unique and ever changing, taking on a different face inRead MoreThe Robert De Boron s Prose Merlin1368 Words   |  6 PagesBoron’s Prose Merlin, Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Mort d’Arthur, T.H. White’s The Once and Future king, as well the the The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The legacy of the Arthurian legend captivates many audiences and has been told numerous times. In The Once and Future King by T.H White, Arthur experiences being different animals which teach him lessons about war. In every version of the story Arthur goes to war with Lancelot and is killed in battle. It is clear to see that war is an importantRead MoreThe Supernatural in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight863 Words   |  4 Pagesgod (Merriam-Webster). In Beowulf the supernatural presents instelf in it’s monsters. Grendel, Grendel’s Mother, and the Dragon, all mythical creatures that only exist in tales of fiction. Beowulf also possess another element of the supernatural. The juxstapositon of a strong christian world view against those from the past who were well known pagans. In turn Beowulf positions the monsters in the work as biblical descendants of Cain. In Sir Gawain and Green Knight, supernatural plays a simlar roleRead MoreSir Gawain And The Green Knight902 Words   |  4 Pagesbetween King Arthur and Sir Gawain. 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The theme of the narration is simply youth compared to age, which is implied at the beginning of the story because of the New Year’s feast. â€Å"The youthfulness of Arthur and of Arthurs folk ... introduces the theme of youth inRead MoreImportance Of A Pentangle And Their Long Uses And The Past History Associated With It1534 Words   |  7 Pagesconnections of the pentangle representing one of the five elements that constituted human kind. The five elements are fire, water, air, earth, and psyche. This assimilation between elements and life have persisted for centuries. As with anything that has spanned a great deal of lineage, the matter of influence and theologies have begun to diversify the traditions and expand the power of this particular symbol. Beginning with early Christians who wore the pentangle as a representation to show the woundsRead MoreKeeping Briton’s Religious Origins Alive through Ancient Literature1129 Words   |  5 Pagespersistence of these religious genres is evidenced in ancient literature such as Beowulf, The Myth of Arthur’s Return, or Diedru and the Exile of the Sons of Uisliu, as they retained remnants of origins of the Britons’ religious beliefs. In Beowulf, King Hrothgar, the ruler of Danes, is troubled by the rampages of a demon named Grendel. Fortunately, a young Geat warrior, Beowulf, travels from his own kingdom across the seas, to Heorot Hall offering his assistance with the pest problem. Before the taleRead MoreSir Gawain and the Green Knight: Symbolism and Moral Seriousness1047 Words   |  5 Pagesseriousness. The Gawain-poet skillfully reveals his theme by leading Gawain on a journey in which nothing is what it seems. Sir Gawain and the reader are confronted with several contrasts of characters’ actions and intentions, symbolic meanings, and Christian and secular virtues. Mainly by showing the difference between actions and attitudes while inside in a social situation and outside in a more wild, untamed environment, these contrasts help to emphasize the importance of unbending faith and loyaltyRead MorePaganism In Beowulf1683 Words   |  7 PagesChristianity. Although this epic consists of the battle between the hero, Beowulf, and the monster, Grendel (and Grendel’s mother, as well), the main overture of the story is that of the new Christian belief triumphing over evil and the old pagan beliefs. This value is but one of many that contrast the pagan and Christian principles in Anglo-Saxon and in Beowulf. The blending and cultivation of these two religions are central to the tale, and to early Anglo-Saxon life. Moreover, this shift was crucial