Understanding The Code of Chivalry Monty Python Style

The Codes of Chivalry Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches, and shalt observe all its directions. Thou shalt defend the Church. Thou shalt respect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them. Thou shalt love the country in which thou wast born. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy. Thou shalt make war against the Infidel without cessation, and without mercy. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God. Thou shalt never lie, and shall remain faithful to thy pledged word. Thou shalt be generous, and give largess to everyone. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil. In one or two sentences summarize what you found in the clip in relation to the Code. You should identify at LEAST 1 code, more would be better.

Important terms Code of Chivalry: traditional ideals of honor held by the knights of old Legend: anonymous traditional stories about the past; may be based in fact; PATTERENED events (archetypes) Medieval romance: adventure stories that feature kings, knights and damsels in distress. Tell of quests battles, and doomed love

Arthurian Legend The Basics A&E Video

Practice Using your notes from the video, write a sentence about each of the following characters/places using an appositive phrase. –Example: Mordred Mordred, Arthur’s illegitimate son, mortally wounded his father in the final battle. –Arthur, Merlin, Avalon, Morgan le Fey, Lancelot

Who is King Arthur? Warrior? King? Legend?

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?

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

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?

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.

Morgause & Morgan Le Fay Morgause –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?

Nyneve/Vivien/Lady of the Lake Merlin’s love Merlin’s downfall Lady of the Lake’s Maiden Enchantress Antagonist? Protagonist?

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

Gawain Arthur’s nephew Mordred’s half brother Closest heir to the throne Courteous Model for Chivalry “Maiden’s knight”

Point of View Why is it important to look at others’ points of view?

Global Awareness Activity What are the primary differences between the content in each story? How might the same, impartial reader interpret the event differently if reading only one of the stories? Is either story more accurate than the other?

Narrative Viewpoint Determines the perspective from which the story is told

Telling a story Tell the story of Lancelot/Guinevere/Arthur from the character’s viewpoint you’ve been assigned. This should include emotions and perspective. Be creative. –For example: Guinevere might reason that it was a moment of intense passion whereas Lancelot would say it was a long time comin. Arthur would be enraged and feeling betrayed.

Story Stem Here’s what really happened…

“Same story, different versions and all are true…”

What is the nature of… Arthur Merlin Mordred Morgan le Fey Lady of the Lake

From whose perspective do we get most of this information? Arthur

What happens if it’s told by Mordred

What does the nature of… Arthur Merlin Mordred Morgan le Fey Lady of the Lake Become….

Opinion Paragraph Is the code of chivalry dead? –Consider the commandments--have you seen any of them played out in your everyday life? – If so, explain how and your answer would be NO! For example: Love your home country. –I would write about my five months living abroad and how I came to appreciate the different things that the U.S. offers that the U.K. doesn’t. –If not, explain why you think the code is dead. Write a well organized paragraph stating your opinion to this question

Organizing information Topic Sentence: Introduces your opinion Preparation Sentence: first reason why you agree Evidence: Specific Example from an article/book/video/text/life Explanation: answers the question: how does this prove the chivalry is/isn’t dead?