Arthurian Legend

Arthurian legends have withstood the test of time and have become famous works which people today still enjoy reading. The legends of Arthur and other knights have kept interest in many people because these instances are not everyday happenings, some of it could be classified as fantasy. The Arthurian legend allows people to use their imagination to create works based on these pieces. It was one person's fantasy that created these ideas, that are put together with such great language and composition. What makes them so fascinating to all generations is the chivalry, comedy, action and the battle of good vs. evil. These stories have all the components that make people want to keep reading on.

Chivalry is something women, and some men, like to read about because it creates a good feeling. Today, women want to have that chivalry, and by reading about it, it creates somewhat of a sense of fulfillment. In "Sir Gawain and the Lady Ragnell" Gawain becomes caring of other people and he marries Lady Ragnell, not for her beauty, but for her personality. He is very chivalrous when she asks him to make a decision whether she should be ugly by day or by night. he replies, "'It is a choice I cannot make, my dear Ragnell. It concerns you. Whatever you choose to be-fair by day or fair by night- I will willingly abide by it'"(Phelps 24). By being caring and loving to others he is able to get what he wants. He broke the spell by letting her choose and she became a beautiful woman all the time. Examples like this put people in awe. It is that a man can be so thoughtful to a woman that he would do anything for her. That is how we all want to feel and by adding this into these pieces, it makes people want to read and fulfill their fantasy.

Comedy is also a big component in the Arthurian legend. For example, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a almost a parody of the King Arthur. It pokes fun at the legend by adding in small silly, elements such as, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table pretend they are on horses and use coconuts to make the sound of their horses' hooves. If the legend was not so famous it would not have been turned into a parody. Even in some other works there are comedic aspects that contribute to the fame of the King Arthur legend. It is the way these authors incorporate comedy into the pieces so that they are not always so dismal and dark and to the liking of everyone.

The Battle of Good vs. Evil is a timeless controversy. People of all generations like to read about the good winning over the bad and getting revenge. The action itself makes people want to read it. If there is fighting and drama it makes it a good story but the addition of the language makes the action scenes even more entertaining and graphic, which is the basis for all generations. Always having a opposer in these stories keeps it fresh and new. These authors keep adding to the legend to show the depth of King Arthur's life and his successors. There are so many stories about Arthur that make his life so rich. He is always battling a knight and he never seems to have to chance to do anything else besides provide for himself and his people. If he won against all and got the girl in the end it would be a plain story. But he uses his life for the good instead of just getting what he wants and ending it there. He is there to teach other people and be the "good" in the good vs. evil. Even before he became "King Arthur" in T. H. White's The Once and Future King, there were stories about him wanting to fulfill his dreams of becoming a knight. No one could tell he was going to be the future leader. After he pulls the sword out of the stone, Merlyn is the first one to call him King Arthur, "' Yes, Wart,'...'Or rather, as I should say, Yes King Arthur'"(White 209). He became such a good King because of his dreams and aspirations. He used his power to help people before himself and he was reward for his good doing.

King Arthur legend is so powerful to readers because it is something no one has experienced. Reading about what people think happened or could happen sparks people's imagination and thought process. A good book impacts your life. Reading about these legends give readers happiness that lets them get away from reality and get into the story. These legends make a big impact on all generations because they are powerful to the reader in the comedic aspect as well as chivalry and the battle of good vs. evil. It is easy to get lost in these readings.

Chivelry

As I have been reading excerpts about King Arthur and Sir Gawain I couldn't help but notice the little chivelrous acts that these knights do. The biggest act I have read so far is "Sir Gawain and The Lady Ragnell". He marries an ugly woman, so that his uncle would be saved, and he treats her with respect! He treats her as if he chose her and if he loved her! In the end when she asks him to make the decision whether to be ugly by day or by night, he says "It is a choice I cannot make, my dear Ragnell. It concerns you. Whatever you choose to be-fair by day or fair by night- I will willingly abide by it"(anonymous 24). Sir Gawain is letting her choose because he sees the beauty inside of her and he does not feel that he should make her decision. He feels she is strong enough and that she should know he will be true to her either way. Also in "The Tale of King Arthur" King Uther, Arthur's father, had recongnized the beauty of Lady Igraine and he had been sneaky about getting her. He dressed up as her husband and then came Arthur. Her husband had died and then he came to her rescue, to comfort her. Even though his act can be saw as decieving it was an act of chivelry if you look at the big picture. In these stories you can see that these men will give there lives for their women. These women were suppose to be protected and in the time period it was the proper thing to do to save your lady.