4.3 Arthurian legend in Middle English literature

Arthurian legend captivated Middle English audiences with tales of King Arthur and his knights. These stories blended history, myth, and chivalric ideals, exploring themes of honor, love, and quests for glory.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight exemplifies this tradition. The poem showcases Arthurian values while challenging them, offering a complex view of knightly virtues in medieval literature.

Arthurian Legend and Setting

Origins and Development of Arthurian Legend

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• Legendary British leader King Arthur, known for his bravery, wisdom, and just rule during the late 5th and early 6th centuries
• Gathered his knights at the Round Table, a symbol of equality and unity among the knights (Lancelot, Gawain, Percival)
• Ruled from the magnificent castle of Camelot, a utopian kingdom that represented the ideals of chivalry and justice
• Welsh cleric Geoffrey of Monmouth popularized the legend in his 12th-century work "Historia Regum Britanniae" which blended historical fact with fictional elements and mythological figures

Significance and Influence of Arthurian Legend

• Arthurian legend has become a cornerstone of British cultural heritage and has influenced literature, art, and popular culture worldwide
• Represents ideals of bravery, loyalty, and justice, as well as the struggle between good and evil
• Serves as a source of national pride and identity for the British people, particularly during times of crisis or conflict
• Has inspired countless adaptations, retellings, and interpretations across various media, from medieval romances to modern novels, films, and television series

Chivalry and Romance

Courtly Love and Chivalric Code

• Courtly love, a medieval European concept of nobly and chivalrously expressing love and admiration, often in a non-physical way
• Emphasized the idea of a knight's devotion to a lady, typically one who was married or of higher social status (Lancelot and Guinevere)
• Chivalric code, a set of moral and social guidelines that governed the behavior of knights, including bravery, loyalty, generosity, and respect for women
• Knights were expected to uphold these ideals and to serve as models of virtue and honor, both on and off the battlefield

Lancelot and Guinevere's Tragic Love Story

• Lancelot, one of the greatest knights of the Round Table, falls in love with Queen Guinevere, King Arthur's wife
• Their forbidden love affair tests the bounds of the chivalric code and ultimately contributes to the downfall of Camelot
• Lancelot's internal struggle between his loyalty to Arthur and his love for Guinevere reflects the complex nature of courtly love and the challenges it posed to the social order
• The tragic outcome of their relationship highlights the destructive potential of unchecked passion and the importance of duty and honor in medieval society

Arthurian Figures and Quests

Merlin and the Holy Grail

• Merlin, the wise and powerful wizard who serves as King Arthur's mentor and advisor throughout his reign
• Possesses magical abilities and foresight, which he uses to guide Arthur and protect the kingdom of Camelot from various threats (shapeshifting, prophecy)
• The Holy Grail, a sacred object believed to be the cup used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, becomes the object of a quest for the knights of the Round Table
• The search for the Grail represents a spiritual journey and a test of the knights' faith, purity, and worthiness (Galahad, Percival, Bors)

Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur

• Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur," a 15th-century English prose work, is one of the most comprehensive and influential retellings of the Arthurian legend
• Compiles various French and English sources to create a cohesive narrative that spans Arthur's life, from his conception to his death
• Incorporates many of the key elements of the legend, including the Round Table, the chivalric code, and the quest for the Holy Grail
• Establishes the tragic love story of Lancelot and Guinevere as a central theme and a catalyst for the fall of Camelot