King Arthur across
Cultures & through Ages

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Essay Two. Trace a character or theme, as assigned earlier in the semester. Be prepared to discuss your Arthurian character or theme in representative medieval works that we have read this semester. Your goal is to trace the evolution of your character or motif through a variety of works, including at least one post-medieval work (at least three works total ).The final product should be approximately 6-8 pages in length. Some secondary research is required (at least three sources). This paper will count as 30% of your final grade. Quotes are mandatory! The paper must adhere to MLA guidelines and must be submitted to sourcecheck.
This assignment is due on December 8 at 11:30
The final draft must be submitted to Ephorus. The passwork is 'arthur.'
Directions follow:
All essays must be submitted to SourceCheck before they will receive a grade. Here are instructions:
Log onto the following website: http://student.ephorus.com
You will be asked to provide the following information:
CAUTION: Do not remove the floppy disk before transmission is completed.
________________________________________
Code Student no. First name Prefix Surname Email Comment Document
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MONTY PYTHON REPORTS

Reports to accompany our viewing of Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Consult at least two sources, and credit them on a Works Cited page. As we watch the film, we will pause after each scene to hear the reports. Each report should be approximately three minutes long, so you must cover essential information quickly and concisely. Try to connect your topic to literature we have read this semester.

Let me know your topic choice as soon as possible. First come, first served!

* Scene 1: 'A swallow carrying a coconut?'

REPORT: THE MEDIEVAL WARHORSE--RYAN

* Scene 2: 'Bring out your dead!'

REPORT: THE PLAGUE (THE BLACK DEATH)--JAMIA

* Scene 3: 'Bloody peasant!'

REPORT: THE PEASANT CLASS--CLINT

* Scene 4: The black knight

REPORT: FIGHTING TO THE DEATH--JOSH

REPORT: JOUSTS--SHAUN

Scene 5: 'Burn the witch!'

REPORT: MEDIEVAL WITCHES--KATIE

* Narrative Interlude: The book of the film

REPORT: MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPTS--SHANTAL

* Scene 6: Camelot

REPORT: LIFE AT COURT (MEALS AND ETIQUETTE)--MARY ALLISON

REPORT: WHERE IS CAMELOT?--KATE MARMION

REPORT: ORIGINS OF THE ROUND TABLE--SIMONE

* Scene 7: 'A blessing from the Lord!'

REPORT: ORIGINS OF THE GRAIL--REBECCA

* Scene 8: The French castle / wooden rabbit

REPORT: FRENCH AND ENGLISH RELATIONS IN THE LATE MIDDLE AGES--RACHAEL

REPPORT: THE TROJAN HORSE--TERESA

REPORT: SIEGE STRATEGIES--TERRENCE

* Scene 9: The historian

* Scene 10: Sir Robin and the three-headed knight

REPORT: MINSTRELS AND BARDS--PATRICIA

REPORT: SHIELDS AND CRESTS--SHEENA

* Cartoon: Diving monks

REPORT: MONASTIC LIFE

* Scene 11: Galahad at Castle Anthrax (fully restored)

REPORT: SEXUAL PURITY AND THE GRAIL

* Narrative Interlude: 'Meanwhile, King Arthur and Sir Bedevere...'

REPORT: NARRATORIAL INTRUSIONS IN THE ROMANCE AND ROMANCE STRUCTURE

* Scene 12: Arthur, Bedevere, and the old man

REPORT: HERMITS IN THE ROMANCE--GABRIELLE

* Scene 13: The Knights of Ni

REPORT: ORDERS OF KNIGHTS--BESS

* Cartoon: 'Bloody weather.'

* Scene 14: 'Make sure he doesn't leave.'

REPORT: PRIMOGENITURE

* Scene 15: 'Message for you, sir.'

REPORT: MESSENGERS AND MESSAGES IN THE ROMANCE

* Scene 16: 'Hurry, Sir Launcelot. Hurry!'

REPORT: LANCELOT, CHAMPION OF WOMEN?--CASSIE

* Scene 17: The dead Prince

REPORT: ARRANGED MARRIAGES AND PROPERTY--HEATHER

* Scene 18: Roger the Shrubber

REPORT: THE BOURGEOIS CLASS--JAMAIL

* Scene 19: The knights who no longer say 'ni'

* Narrative Interlude: 'Summer changed back into Winter...'

* Scene 20: Tim the Enchanter

REPORT: WIZARDS--TIFFANY

* Scene 21: The rabbit of Caerbannog

REPORT: DRAGONS AND MONSTERS--KIM

* Scene 22: Inside the cave / Black Beast of Aaauugh

REPORT: THE BATTLE CRY AND BATTLE STRATEGIES--JAMES

* Scene 23: The Bridge of Death

REPORT: NECK RIDDLES--ERICA

* Scene 24: The Castle Aaaagh

REPORT: HOLY RELICS

REPORT: JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA

ESSAY ONE

This essay may focus on any of the works we have read thus far. At this point in the semester, you have several portrayals of characters and versions of tales to compare. You may wish to begin exploring the theme that will later become your research essay. You may also continue to develop a theme from a short essay already submitted. If you choose to work with a short essay, you must add substantial new information. Remember that you can also draw upon class discussions and handouts to guide you. Be sure your topic is argumentative and that you have taken a clear stand. You must use MLA and employ a variety of quotes. The finished product should be at least three pages and in accordance with MLA guidelines. I will check drafts via email attachments or drafts that can be left overnight in the box on my office door. The final draft is due Thursday, October 29. The passwork is 'arthur.'

The final draft must be submitted to Ephorus. Directions follow:
All essays must be submitted to SourceCheck before they will receive a grade. Here are instructions:
Log onto the following website: http://student.ephorus.com
You will be asked to provide the following information:
CAUTION: Do not remove the floppy disk before transmission is completed.
________________________________________
Code Student no. First name Prefix Surname Email Comment Document
________________________________________
This text will be checked against other texts for similarities and will be saved in a database.
agree

Plot-related Questions from Malory

1. Briefly summarize the events that lead to Arthur's birth.

2. Following Uther's death, what events lead to the ultimate crowning of Arthur?

3. Discuss the portrayal of Kay. Is it consistent with Chretien's portrayal and with that of any later versions you may know?

4. Discuss the events leading to Mordred's conception. (NOT IN YOUR BOOK.)

5. How does Arthur get Excalibur? (NOT IN YOUR BOOK.)

6. What mistakes does Balin make (i.e., how many are killed as a result of his actions?), and what are the consequences of his actions? (Why is Balin in Arthur's court to begin with?)

7. Why is Balin called "The Knight with Two Swords"?

8. Despite Balin's streak of bad luck, Malory concludes that he and his brother "were two passing good knights as ever were in those days." How can Malory's statement be justified? (That is, how can one say that Balin is a fine example of chivalry and not a terrible one?) List specific examples that make him seem good or bad regarding courtly conduct.

9. Merlin appears occasionally in this story. When does he appear, and what is his role?

10. Explain the Dolorous Stroke.

11. In the beginning of "Pelleas and Ettard," Gawain is deserted by the damsel who accompanies him. Why?

12.Why does Pelleas allow himself to be humiliated?

13.What does Gawain agree to do to help Pelleas?

14. What does Pelleas do when he finds that Gawain has betrayed him? Why?

15. How is Ettard punished?

16. What becomes of Pelleas?

"Lancelot and Elayne"

1. Describe the curse that has tormented Elayne for five years. How is the curse broken?

2. Who is the maimed king?

3. What does Sir Bors see at the castle? Why is he allowed to see it?

4. How many times does Lancelot lie with Elayne?

5. How is he tricked into lying with her? What is his "morning after" reaction?

6. Name the child who is the result of this union.

7. Who does Guenevere find out that Lancelot has, though unwittingly, been disloyal?

8. What does Lancelot do when Guenevere learns of the affair?

9. How is Lancelot rescued and cured?

10. Under what circumstances does Lancelot return to Arthur's court?

"The Holy Grail"
1. What miracles does Galahad perform in the course of this section?

2. What is Galahad's well?

3. What becomes of the broken sword that Galahad mends?

4. What is the history of this sword?

5. How does Galahad heal the maimed king?

6, What request does Galahad make once he has attained the Grail?

7. What, in fact, happens to Galahad upon achieving the Grail?

8. What becomes of Percival and Bors?

"The Death of Arthur"

1. Which knights betray Lancelot? Why?

2. Why does Gawain eventually betray Lancelot?

3. How do Lancelot and Gawain ultimately reconcile?

4. How does Arthur react initially to the charges against Guenevere? How does his attitude change?

5. Why won't Lancelot fight Arthur's men?

6. How does Gawain die?

7. What name does Lancelot give his castle?

8. What advantage does Gawain have in fighting?

9. What character flaws does Gawain have?

10. What is Mordred's scheme?

11. What causes the final battle?

12. How does Arthur receive his death wound?

13. What becomes of Excalibur?

14. What becomes of Arthur's body?

15. What becomes of Lancelot?

16. What becomes of Guenevere?

STUDY GUIDE: THE PROSE MERLIN AND THE SUITE DU MERLIN

1. How do these two versions of the Merlin narrative differ in emphasis?
2. How was Merlin conceived?
3. How does Merlin save his mother's life?
4. Who is Blaise, and what is his role in the narrative?
5. What are the contents of the Blaise's book?
6. Why does Merlin claim it will bring him (Merlin) much suffering?
7. What secret does Merlin share with the two brothers, Pendragon and Uther?
8. How does one of Pendragon's barons put Merlin to the test?
9. Preceding the Battle of Salisbury, why have the Saxons returned to England?
10. What kind of advice does Merlin give the king about this battle?
11. What answer does Merlin give when the two brothers ask if one of them will die in battle? (Compare the death of this brother with the portrayal in Geoffrey of Monmouth)
12. How does the author account for the building of Stonehenge? (Compare with Geoffrey of Monmouth's explanation about Stonehenge.)
13. What secret about himself does Merlin tell Uther?
14. What, according to this text, are the origins of the Round Table?
15. How many seats are at the Round Table?
16. Why is one seat at the Round Table kept empty?
17. How does Uther first encounter Ygerne? (Compare this scene with its analogue in Geoffrey of Monmouth.)
18. How does Ygerne react to Uther?
19. When Urfin suggests that Merlin can help Uther win Ygerne, Uther is afraid that he has angered Merlin. Why?
20. Who is the old man Urfin encounters as he is riding through the camp?
21. Describe Merlin's rash boon on page 337.
22. After the death of Ygerne's husband, how does Uther make amends?
23. What reason does Uther give Ygerne for fostering Arthur to another family?
24. According to this text, how many sisters does Arthur have, and what becomes of each of them?
25. To whom is Arthur fostered?
26. What is Ygerne's reaction to the loss of her child? (Compare this reaction to the portrayal in Geoffrey of Monmouth.)
27. Who is Niviane?
28. Who are Lancelot's parents?
29. What story inspires Niviane to kill Merlin?
30. How does Merlin try to win Niviane?
31. While Merlin is with Niviane, what events does he "see" at Arthur's court?
32. What becomes of the sorcerors in the Perilous Forest?
33. Why does Niviane hate Merlin?
34. How does she trick him?

Dr. Jamison
English 2100
Topic Suggestions for Short Writing Assignment (@1-2 pages; due Thursday, September 24)

1. Compare the role of women in SGGK with the women in Chretien's "Lancelot." Do actions of Morgan le Fay, Guenevere, and/ or Lady Hautdesert empower them or reduce them to objects?

2. Consider Maurice Keen's definitions of Chivalry. How and why does the definition change emphasis in the works we have read? Compared to the knights in Geoffrey and Chretien's works, how does Gawain measure up? How is he being tested? Does he pass the test?

3. Although there is no conventional battle scene in SGGK, symbolic references to battle can be found as well as lavish descriptions of armour and weapons. Explore the role of the knight as warrior in SGGK and/ or explain the symbolic references to warfare. Consider warfare in this work as it compares to Chretien's and Geoffrey's work.

4. Explore the topical details in this work (hospitality, armour, castles, jewelry, etc). What function do they have? Can you find similar passages in the other works we have read? If so, offer a comparison. If not, offer an explanation.

5. How do Capellanus' rules pertain to SGGK? Compare Gawain in this work to Lancelot in Chretien's romance. In what ways are these characters governed by the rules?

6. Compared to the other two works we have read, how does magic pervade the story and contribute to the action of SGGK?

7. Compared to the two other works we have read, how does Christianity play an important role in the text?

8. Consider the portrayals of King Arthur himself in Geoffrey's history, Chretien's romance, and SGGK. What aspects of his character remain the same? What aspects differ? Explain the significance of Arthur's portrayal in each of these texts.

9. Compare the Green Knight to other characters we have encountered so far, such as the giant in Geoffrey's work or Meleagant in Chretien's work. Is the Green Knight ultimately good or evil?

10. Compare the structure of SGGK to the structure of "Lancelot." What is gained or lost by the omission of digressions in SGGK? Explore the authors' intentions as it relates to the structure of each work.

Assignment to accompany your reading of the class handout "Parcival." Due September 1.

 

Raised apart from courtly life, Parcival has no idea of his true heritage. Describe Parcival's education as he "learns" to be an Arthurian knight. Which characteristics does he possess naturally, and which must he learn? What kinds of mistakes does he make during the learning process? How do Arthur's knights perceive him? From reading the assigned sections of this romance, draw your own conclusions about the courtly code of conduct, the rules and inherent qualities expected of a knight.

Chretien's Lancelot

Study Questions due September 3.

As you read Chretien’s Lancelot, choose one of the following as your primary focus. Work closely with the texts, and point out specific passages that you can discuss with the class. You do not need to respond to every aspect of these question. Rather, you may want to focus narrowly. Though not (at this point) a formal paper, your responses should be written or typed.

1. Discuss the portrayals of the nobility. In addition to the main characters, you may also want to discuss the portrayals of knights and ladies who appear as foils. It would be especially useful to compare the actions and behavior of Gawain and Malyageant to Lancelot. Also, you may want to discuss the appearance and function of non-courtly characters (peasants, dwarfs, clergy.

2. Although the romance incorporates love, battle scenes are still prominent in the course of the narrative. Focus upon scenes of fighting and descriptions of battle. What can you discern about medieval battling techniques as they are portrayed in this work? You may wish to compare details of battles in this text to those in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History. What differences and similarities do you notice? You may also explore those scenes in which battling is an obvious metaphor for lovemaking.

3. Obviously, love is a central concern, and the knights in the romance must obey the rules of love. Explore several scenes which depict the strictly codified behavior of knight and lady (i.e., lovesickness, wooing, lovemaking, etc.). Here, it would be useful to look at Andreas Cappalanus’ list of rules for courtly love (handout distributed in class). How does the character Lancelot conform to these rules?

4. The role of women in the romance is a hotly debated topic. You may view the lady as quite powerful for her manipulation of the knight, or you may view her as simply an object to be won as proof of the knight's prowess. Consider the portrayal of several women, and draw your own conclusions. It would be helpful here to trace the ladies in the text (in addition to Guenevere). How many are there? What is their function?

5. Because the Arthurian romances incorporate Celtic mythology and folklore, magic and supernatural events are common in the genre. Explore the appearance of magic and the supernatural in  these romances. How do these elements contribute to the romance theme? What is their function? Are they reconciled with the obvious Christian allusions in the text.

6. Hospitality is an essential characteristic of the romance. Explore scenes which portray hospitality, examining the topical details and the function of such scenes in the context of the narrative.

Geoffrey of Monmouth
Questions for Consideration

1. Consider the role of Merlin in this text. How does he save his own life and become a prophet? What is the purpose of the chapter detailing his prophecies?
2. Describe the events leading up to Arthur’s conception.
3. How does Uther die?
4. Describe Arthur’s coronation. What does he do upon gaining the crown?
5. Find a few of the battle scenes, and describe some effective medieval battle tactics.
6. How does Arthur become a legend (e.g., note details about him that seem larger than life or heroic)?
7. What role do supernatural events, dreams, and magic play in the text? What could be the purpose of obviously fantastic elements in a work that calls itself "history"?
8. Why do you think Geoffrey of Monmouth portray the Romans so negatively?
9. What religious elements do you find in the text, and what seems to be their purpose?
10. Find examples of comitatus, or the relationship between uncle and nephew.
11. Are women important in this text? Explain your response.
12. Do any characters’ names appear that you recognize (other than Arthur)? Identify and describe. Remember that swords and horses could easily be considered as "characters" in an Arthurian tale.
13. How does the fight begin between Arthur’s men and the Roman troops?
14. How does King Arthur die?