King Arthur: History and Legend

Studying images of the Arthurian legend and their relationship to historical reality; tracing the history of post-Roman Britain; the large-scale invasions of the Anglo-Saxons; evidence that a single individual rose up to lead his people.

Investigating archeological and historical evidence that supports the existence of an Arthur-like figure in early Britain; studying the site of Cadbury Castle, the center of operations of a leader who thwarted the Saxons; the supposed tomb of Arthur.

Exploring some of the most significant early witnesses to the Arthurian legend; studying accounts of Arthur's exploits and death in Latin texts and the Welsh Annales Cambriae; how texts from the 11th and 12th century C.E. embellished the legend.

How Arthur became a cultural touchstone in early Welsh history; key references to the Arthurian saga in the Black Book of Carmarthen and the Triads of the Island of Britain; the portrayal of Arthur in the tales of the Mabinogion.

The importance of Geoffrey of Monmouth's "The History of the Kings of Britain"; the political nature of the text; notable elements and characters; how Geoffrey established the basics of the Arthurian legend as they are currently known.

The contributions of the Anglo-Norman scribe Wace, who translated Geoffrey of Monmouth's text into Old Northern French; the English cleric Layamon, who created the first comprehensive account of Arthur in English; comparing Wace and Layamon's works.

Chretien de Troyes introducing elements of the Arthurian legend that would become essential; how de Troyes pioneered the genre of medieval romance, developed the ethos of courtly love and introduced the great heroic figure of Lancelot.

Encountering the works of Marie de France, whose Arthurian writings developed themes of romantic love, the magical and the noble; how Robert de Boron linked King Arthur to the spiritual and religious realms; the introduction of the Holy Grail.

Exploring the Prose Lancelot; discovering the text's five parts; highlighting the central section; delving into the Grail Quest narrative; its theological thrust; looking at the Mort Artu, which details the tragedy of the Arthurian saga.

Studying the key Arthurian texts of Hartmann von Aue, which delve into various questions; grasping the brilliance of Wolfram von Eschenbach's portrayal of Parzival's wisdom quest, which involves the Grail stone and the Fisher King.

Other German writers make their marks on Arthur's legend; Gottfried von Strassburg's text on the Tristan legend; Ulrich von Zatzikhoven's treatment of Lancelot; Wirnt von Grafenburg's story of Wigalois's quest; Heinrich von dem Turlin's "The Crown".

Following the legend of Arthur into the literary traditions of medieval Iceland and Norway; how King Hakon Hakonarson commissions adaptations of Arthurian works; exploring differences between the Continental and Scandinavian versions of the saga.

Following Sir Gawain through elaborate plot twists on his quest to fulfill an astonishing challenge; investigating the meaning of his journey; considering the important questions it raises concerning free will, loyalty, shame and honor.

The events of Arthur's military victory over Rome; his degeneration from noble king to ruthless conqueror; the final meeting of Mordred and Gawain; the story's bleak denouement; the poet's message regarding Arthur's character and the nature of war.

Thomas Malory's retelling of the Arthurian saga becomes a benchmark; how Malory's text introduces the Pentecostal Oath, a sacred code of ethics sworn to by the knights; Malory "tests" it throughout the story as a model for noble thought and action.

The Celtic legend of Tristan and Isolde is assimilated into the Arthurian tradition; studying the narrative of the Tristan story in two literary traditions; how the story's appeal leads to Sir Tristan being "co-opted" as a knight of the Round Table.

Discovering the origins and varied manifestations of the Holy Grail; exploring the most celebrated of the literary Grail narratives; investigating why the Grail fires the imagination of writers from the medieval world to the modern one.

Uncovering rich depictions of Arthurian scenes in cathedrals, churches and privately commissioned artworks; why such scenes proliferate in religious settings; how a table once believed to be the Round Table is put to symbolic use by British royalty.

Tracing noteworthy currents of the saga in Spenser, Milton and the work of Renaissance historians; noting the rise of Arthur's presence in popular ballads, songs and poetry; his portrayal on the stage in English and Cornish.

Learning about the poetry of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, whose "Idylls of the King" inaugurates a new era of Arthurian writing; the Arthurian works of the pre-Raphaelite painters; portrayals of Arthurian themes in stained glass, tapestry and illustration.

Observing how Richard Wagner adapts and modifies the Arthurian legend to dramatize social and religious ideals; how Mark Twain satirizes the saga in "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court", critiquing European aristocracy and American society.

Looking at T.H. White's "The Once and Future King"; its ruminations on kingship, power and governance; exploring Mary Stewart's "Merlin Trilogy"; Marion Zimmer Bradley's feminist "The Mists of Avalon"; the comic book series "Camelot 3000".

Investigating major film portrayals of the Arthurian legend from recent decades; exploring "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", John Boorman's "Excalibur", the Grail narrative of "The Fisher King" and Antoine Fuqua's "King Arthur".

Assessing the roles of the Arthurian legend in modern culture; the saga's associations in merchandising and the commercialization of historical sites; its uses in pop culture and media; the adaptability of King Arthur as a symbol of courage and hope.