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Storytelling and Literature

Storytelling and Literature. The Literary Development of the Legend of Arthur September 7, 2018. Gildas , Bede, and Nennius. They mentioned the existence of a British war-chief who defeated the Saxons at Badon Hill, but did not call him "Arthur.".

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Storytelling and Literature

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  1. Storytelling and Literature The Literary Development of the Legend of Arthur September 7, 2018

  2. Gildas, Bede, and Nennius • They mentioned the existence of a British war-chief who defeated the Saxons at Badon Hill, but did not call him "Arthur."

  3. Geoffrey of Monmouth (c. 1100 - c. 1155) • Introducing Guinevere, Merlin, Sir Kay, Sir Bedevere, Sir Gawain, UtherPendragon, and Mordred. • His History of the Kings of Britain(HistoriaRegumBritanniae in Latin), Arthur as a mighty but merciful warrior, Mordred'streachery in seizing the kingdom and holding Guinevere, the cataclysmic battle between Arthur and Mordred, Arthur's fatal wounding and departure for the Isle of Avalon, and Guinevere taking the vows of chastity and joining a holy order are described.

  4. Wace(Robert Wace, c. 1110-1174 CE) • Adding the Round Table • Responsible for the famous name of Arthur's sword, Excalibur • Translated the work into Old French vernacular

  5. Chretien de Troyes(c. 1130 - c. 1190 CE) • Adding the touches of chivalry, courtly love • Adding Sir Lancelot. • The first mention of his famous affair with Lady Guinevere • Beginning a tale of Perceval involving the quest for the Holy Grail • Introducing the character of the Fisher King.

  6. Layamon(c. late 12th/early 13th century) • The first to translate Arthur's story into English • Introducing the details of the magical birth of Merlin • Describing the origin of the Round Table

  7. Sir Thomas Malory(c. 1410-1471 CE)  • Malory compiled, edited, revised, and added to the legend to create the English prose masterpiece Le MorteD'Arthurc. 1469 CE while imprisoned. • Malory's work is the quintessential Arthurian legend as it is recognized in the modern day. • It was published in 1485 CE by William Caxton as part of his initiative to place worthwhile literature in the hands of readers through the new device of the printing press.

  8. Edmund Spenser(1552-1599 CE) • Spenser attempted to revive the Arthurian tales in his epic allegorical poem The Faerie Queene(c. 1590 CE) but his Arthur is far too perfect to be interesting.

  9. Alfred Tennyson(1809-1892 CE) • Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892 CE) popularized the legend through his works beginning in 1832 CE with the publication of his poem The Lady of Shallot • And with the 1859 CE publication ofIdylls of the King. • Reshaped Malory's text, returning the story to poetic form, to reflect the values of Victorian England. 

  10. Modern writers after Tennyson • Mark Twain expanded an audience for Arthur in his A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Courtin 1889 CE. • In the 20th century CE, writers like T.S. Eliot, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, D. H. Lawrence, and Joyce would draw on the legends for symbolism in their own work. • John Steinbeck rewrote the tales for a modern audience. • T. H. White redefined the legend for his own time in 1958 CE through his workThe Once and Future King.

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