The Arthurian Legends

Genre Medieval Romance -adventure stories featuring kings, knights, damsels in distress, dangerous quests, battles, the supernatural, & doomed love -Has 3 stages: 1. Dangerous quest 2. Test of honor/courage 3. Return to point where quest began

7 Characteristics of Medieval Romance 1.Idealizes chivalry 2.Idealized knights 3.Idealized a knight’s love 4.Settings are imaginary/not clear 5.Mystery, suspense, supernatural 6.Some identities are disguised 7.Repeats the number 3

Themes in Medieval Romances Bravery Loyalty and devotion Virtue (honesty and goodness) Chivalry and heroes Wars, jousts, and contests

Legends Traditional stories about the past; may be based on fact Most medieval romances are based on legends

Traits of a Medieval Hero 1.Birth usually surrounded by mystery 2.Raised away from home; doesn’t know true parents 3.Real identity discovered later 4.Claims his birthright after meeting a big challenge 5.His triumphs benefit his kingdom/nation

Ideal Traits of Knights 1.Physical Ideals: strength, weapon skills, horsemanship 2.Nonphysical Ideals: courage, humbleness, courtesy, loyalty

About Armor Developed AD Purpose: protect Flexible (if good, knight can do somersaults) One suit: 200 separate plates of steel

What the Heck is Chain Mail? Mail: heavy metal netting made of interlocking rings One suit might contain 200,000 rings Flexible and strong Heavy: around 30lbs Couldn’t protect from all weapons Hauberks: knee-length suits of chain mail

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Chivalry: medieval system, principles, & customs of knighthood. * Refer to Ten Rules of Chivalry handout

Courtly Love (Not Courtney Love) In Medieval times, love was valued above all other things. Men were always gentlemen; women always acted like ladies Nobility and knights had to follow the rules of courtly love *Refer to Courtly Love handout

“Arthur Becomes King of Britain” Author: T.H. White Written: Around 1920s/Modern English Basically “The Sword and the Stone” Vocab: 1. anvil (n)-an iron or steel block 2. “Win the palm”-be the winner (palm leaf symbol of victory) 3. shilling (n)-a British silver coin 4. hurdy-gurdy (n)-musical instrument played by turning a crank 5. squire (n)-a knight’s attendant

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Author: unknown; referred to as “The Pearl Poet;” assumed he was a clergyman; educated Date: around 1370, England Gawain in several Arthur tales; sometimes ruthless & bloodthirsty, sometimes noble & courageous In this: has ideal knightly traits Story considered one of best medieval romances

Vocabulary for Story Copiously (adv): plentiful Intrepid (adj): fearless; courageous Dauntless (adj): daring Blithe (adj): carefree Burgeoning (v): growing Reprieve (n): a break Discourse (n): speech Covenant (n): binding agreement

Whetted (v): sharpened Audacious (adj/adv): daring and bold Resolute (adj): determined Absolved (v): forgiven SYMBOLS: Holly and Berries; Green

from “Le Morte d’Arthur” Author: Sir Thomas Malory -Wrote all the legends of Arthur and his knights into 21 books of verse (poetry) Published 1485 (written while he was in jail) Vocabulary: 1. doleful(adj)-sad 2. peril (n)-danger 3. brandish(v)-to swing (a weapon) threateningly 4. Yeomen (n)-assistants to nobles 5. Smote (v)-struck