Arthurian Legend The Basics

Who is King Arthur? Warrior? King? Legend? Image 1: Title:  King Arthur Artist:  Frank Dicksee Image 2: still image from film King Arthur (Buena Vista Pictures, 2004) Image 3: William Morris/The Bridgeman Art Library/Getty Images

Records What is Arthur famous for? Geoffrey on Monmouth ? Sir Thomas Malory?

Important People King Uther Pendragon Duchess Igraine King Arthur Pendragon Queen Guinevere Merlin Lancelot Morgause Morgan Le Fay Nyneve Gawain Mordred

King Uther and Duchess Igraine Arthur’s parents Sordid background Uther Loves Igraine Merlin interferes… Igraine begets Arthur Who is Arthur’s father? Image: http://www.candlelightstories.com/KingArthur/PyleArthurPrologue.htm

Arthur Childhood is obscure at best Sword in the stone (Excalibur) Warrior; teenage king Marries Guinevere Has an affair with many—Morgause being the most famous Image: still from Disney’s Sword in the Stonehttp://www.cel-ebration.com/WDCC%20SWORD%20IN%20THE%20STONE.htm

Guinevere Noble birth (usually assumed) Married Arthur Most versions claim she has an affair with Lancelot Adultery leads to the downfall of Arthur Mordred?

Merlin Wizard, warlock, sorcerer Arthur’s mentor Involved/engineers the birth of Arthur thru magic and intrigue: uses Uther as a vessel Villain or hero? Lady of the Lake; Lover or enemy? Image: http://www.grahamphillips.net/Merlin/merlin2.htm

Lancelot Knight of the round table Well respected and fully trusted by Arthur Historically accepted as Guinevere’s lover Retreated to France; pursued by Arthur Act results in the death of Gawain's brothers, the rift b/t Lancelot and Gawain, and Mordred's betrayal of King Arthur. Image: http://www.bonzasheila.com/stories/lancelotguinivere.html

Morgause & Morgan Le Fay Sister or half sister? Of Arthur Mother of Mordred & Gawain Sorceress? Seductress or innocent adulterer? Morgan Le Fay Half sister of Arthur Antagonist? V. Guinevere Sorceress Healer? Avalon? Fairy? Image 1: Image 2: http://www.sir-lancelot.co.uk/morgan-le-fay.htm

Nyneve/Vivien/Lady of the Lake Merlin’s love Merlin’s downfall Lady of the Lake’s Maiden Enchantress Antagonist? Protagonist? Image: Tennyson’s Idylls of the King

Mordred Son of Arthur and Morgause (Illegitimate) Discovers Lancelot and Guinevere Tries to take over the kingdom while Arthur is fighting Lancelot Seduces Guinevere? Killed and “Kills” Arthur Image: "Sir Mordred" (1902) by H. J. Ford

Gawain Arthur’s nephew Mordred’s half brother Closest heir to the throne Courteous Model for Chivalry “Maiden’s knight” Image: http://community.imaginefx.com/fxpose/alanlathwells_portfolio/picture24202.aspx