The Mists of Avalon: the Women Behind King Arthur

his father was a leader and went from a noble king to a king that does not desire

In addition, a king was expected to be a role model to his people. He was a symbol of human perfection for his subjects to emulate like in our president today.

There are countless versions of the legend of King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table. Most English versions are based on Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, but where did these tales originate, and what different interpretations are there today? This essay seeks to examine the roots and different renditions of the various legends circulating today. The first section deals with the origins of the legend. The second section speculates on who the "real" King Arthur could have been. A comparison of several different versions, and suggestions of why they differ are given in the third section, and the conclusion presents an analysis on the ambiguity of the legend.

During a high point in medieval chivalric romance, both Marie de France’s Lanval and the anonymous Sir Gawain and the Green Knight tell fanciful tales of knighthood, chivalry, and spiritual and temporal (courtly) love. Both Lanval and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight portray their female characters as possessing considerable power and influence, within the events in the story and in the structure of the plot. Indeed, the female characters in both works function as the catalysts of the events within the stories, and also as instruments for each author's conveyed meaning. While Lanval presents its female characters in an unorthodox reversal of gender roles, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight employs the female characters as moral and spiritual trials for the hero, Sir Gawain. I will examine how the fairy princess and Queen Gwenevere in Marie de France's Lanval present a reversal of gender roles as was traditionally understood; she presents femininity as powerful, inspiring, and morally dynamic (for a woman can be ideal, or she can be corrupt). I will compare this to the representation of Lady Bertilak and Morgan le Fay in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, in which they are used to convey a “Biblical” warning for an ecclesiastical audience; particularly that of moral failure and the temptation of the flesh.

Throughout the three literary periods: The Ancient World, The Middle Ages, and The Renaissance; women have been portrayed and treated in different ways. The Iliad by Homer is about the Trojan War fought by the Achaeans and Trojans which was over the capturing of the wife of King Menelaus, Helen of Troy, by Paris. In The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, it is about a group of 29 people who are all on a pilgrimage to Canterbury to worship St. Thomas’s shrine; however, as Chaucer describes all these types of people not many of them are very religious and the stories they tell show the perspective and portrayal of women in this time. In Francis Petrarch’s poetry Rhymes, he describes his love and admiration for a woman who doesn’t love him back, yet Petrarch still confesses his love for her through his poetry. Through these stories and poems, The Iliad, The Canterbury Tales, and Rhymes, from the three time periods, the role of women is a progression of how they were looked at and their role in that time period, by men.

tale and la Mort d' Arthur the leading plot of both these stories is conceived by the wife and Guinevere's lust and pursuit of love and happiness.

Things happen for a reason and King was born at a time that needed him and his visions.

Tal Webb Ms. Stimmel Period 2 November 16, 2014 Arthurian Women Women have always been the driving force behind the greatest and worst decisions in history. Best shown in Arthurian times, where women controlled the actions of great and evil men, and where essential in the deciding of their honorable and evil choices; some of these women were Morgan Le Fay, Queen Gwynevere, and Queen Margawse. Morgan Le Fay the sister of Arthur and his greatest adversary, Queen Gwynevere the women who's love toppled Camelot, and Queen Margawse who's constant affairs she never rued and who raised the child that would one day kill King Arthur. These woman through their love and betrayal shaped the destiny of the Arthurian era. Although, only a close read

In Avalon, She presided over nine priestess’s who were prophetesses and healers. Avalon is known to have been an oracular center. Some believe that Avalon was a Druidic college for priestesses of women’s mysteries. Certain healing wells are also sacred to Her in Britain - known as Morgan’s wells.

with her reputation. The Greeks placed the goddess of love in a very important position in

Before he could withdraw it, Merlin appeared and told him that upon taking hold of the sword he would no longer be human. His only response was a nod because he had long since prepared for the fact that being a king means losing one's humanity. He believed that a king was someone who kills all to protect all.

the traits of a “good king”. He was a warrior with extraordinary abilities which made him seem

Although King Arthur is one of the most well-known figures in the world, his true identity remains a mystery. Attempts to identify the historical Arthur have been unsuccessful, since he is largely a product of fiction. Most historians, though, agree that the real Arthur was probably a battle leader of the Britons against the Anglo-Saxons in the sixthth century. In literature, King Arthur's character is unique and ever changing, taking on a different face in every work. There is never a clearly definitive picture that identifies Arthur's character. It is therefore necessary to look at a few different sources to get better insight into the character of Arthur, the once and future king.

The popular medieval romance, “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” explores many aspects of the Arthurian legend, including chivalry, religion, and courtly love. Although the poem does feature many female characters, one aspect that the Gawain poet does not touch upon is the role and place of women in this feudal society; all of whom live under the objectification of a male driven culture. One might say that the women featured in this romance are focused on more heavily than that of other literature during this time period and that might be true; however, after a closer look the reader can see how it’s the little things that the Gawain poet does or doesn’t do that diminish the importance of the four main female characters in this poem.

   King Arthur lets his past get the best of his judgement. King Arthur let Launcelot take Guinevere during her trial and did nothing to stop it, he even wanted Lancelot to take her away so that she wouldn’t