1. Arthurian Legend
The Basics

2. 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

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

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

5. King Uther and Duchess Igraine
Arthur’s parents
Sordid background
Uther Loves Igraine
Merlin interferes…
Igraine begets Arthur
Who is Arthur’s father?
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6. 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://

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

8. 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?
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9. 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.
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10. 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?
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11. 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

12. 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

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