This unit has focussed on considering the historicity
of Arthur as well as the historical contexts within which the image of
Arthur has been reconstructed. It has also viewed Arthur through the
lenses of myth, legend, romance and societal expectations.
Arthur in mosaic
Blog Question : Is this history and does it matter?
The study of Arthur contributes to history in three ways. Firstly, historians of literature can explore the development of the Arthurian stories in its various forms: folktales, performative texts, poems, prose...etc. Also, many genres can be elicited, including epic, quest, romance, chivalric, moralistic and religious. Secondly, historians can also examine how different groups of people throughout history uses the Arthurian legends to promote their own causes. The Celtic people, Glastonbury monks, English, French and Victorians all had different purposes for telling different versions of the same story. Finally, the Arthurian legends matter today because they demonstrate the existence and influence of Medievalism in our current society.
There is no definite answer whether the king Arthur actually existed; what is more, the question about the historicity of Arthur may resemble the question of whether Jesus Christ truly existed. Many sources are available but controversies still exist and everyone will have his own point of view. Probably one might think that Arthur was a warrior, others would think he was Ambrosius Aurelius, commonly known as Arthur, who revived Britain against the invaders. The discrepancy in the representation of Arthur is particularly evident in Hanning’s reading. Even though we are given simultaneously a range of historical texts like Gildas, Nennius and Bede which imply that Arthur was a historical figure, Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain that has been frequently criticised for fictional character hypothetically might imply that Arthur was no more than a myth. Moreover, while it is incorrect to consider myths, legends and romances to be historically credible, these sources are helpful in finding the starting point for further investigation about Arthur. Subsequently, I would consider stories about Arthur to be history, but it is important to distinguish between sources that are historically valid and sources that might be helpful to find further evidence and a starting point (e.g., Tintagel Castle, Glastonbury). Additionally, Arthurian legends are important in several ways; firstly, they teach us morality and virtues, what is good and bad, secondly, they teach us to foresee the consequences and able to advance morally and move towards the ‘level of the angels’. Also, it is a good way to acquaint oneself with traditions, customs and political concerns of those times. Importantly, stories about Arthur motivate us to believe in love and courage and, yes, they teach us history, as Arthur is considered to play a significant part in Medieval history.
I like what Phuong said, when she noted that Arthur becomes history because it demonstrates the influence and medievalism in the current society. I have to agree with this. Although Arthur is probably more literature than history in our modern world, it provided important historical role models in medieval society. Similarly, these characters were identifiable to medieval people, allowing escapism and nostalgia. PS: That last picture... I want what he's having.
While King Arthur may or may not have existed it evidence indicates an Arthurian character being present at the very least in Celtic Mythology. This has as such been a shaping force behind many historic movements and ideals, being a strong purveyor of moral codes. Thus while Arthur himself may not be a factual entity, or has been exagerated byond the norm, he has influenced the shaping of the world at one point or another significantley. The tale itself provides a sense of autocthony for many peoples, and in it's many forms can be seen as a foundation layer for the chivalric code. This explains it's popularism not only in the modern worldbut also ages past, as it was used in Mallory's form to enforce a heavy sense of medievalism still present today. This means not only is the tale a form of propoganda but popularised ideaology.
The study of Arthur contributes to history in three ways.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, historians of literature can explore the development of the Arthurian stories in its various forms: folktales, performative texts, poems, prose...etc. Also, many genres can be elicited, including epic, quest, romance, chivalric, moralistic and religious.
Secondly, historians can also examine how different groups of people throughout history uses the Arthurian legends to promote their own causes. The Celtic people, Glastonbury monks, English, French and Victorians all had different purposes for telling different versions of the same story.
Finally, the Arthurian legends matter today because they demonstrate the existence and influence of Medievalism in our current society.
There is no definite answer whether the king Arthur actually existed; what is more, the question about the historicity of Arthur may resemble the question of whether Jesus Christ truly existed. Many sources are available but controversies still exist and everyone will have his own point of view. Probably one might think that Arthur was a warrior, others would think he was Ambrosius Aurelius, commonly known as Arthur, who revived Britain against the invaders. The discrepancy in the representation of Arthur is particularly evident in Hanning’s reading. Even though we are given simultaneously a range of historical texts like Gildas, Nennius and Bede which imply that Arthur was a historical figure, Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain that has been frequently criticised for fictional character hypothetically might imply that Arthur was no more than a myth. Moreover, while it is incorrect to consider myths, legends and romances to be historically credible, these sources are helpful in finding the starting point for further investigation about Arthur. Subsequently, I would consider stories about Arthur to be history, but it is important to distinguish between sources that are historically valid and sources that might be helpful to find further evidence and a starting point (e.g., Tintagel Castle, Glastonbury). Additionally, Arthurian legends are important in several ways; firstly, they teach us morality and virtues, what is good and bad, secondly, they teach us to foresee the consequences and able to advance morally and move towards the ‘level of the angels’. Also, it is a good way to acquaint oneself with traditions, customs and political concerns of those times. Importantly, stories about Arthur motivate us to believe in love and courage and, yes, they teach us history, as Arthur is considered to play a significant part in Medieval history.
ReplyDeleteMaria S. (22504079).
I like what Phuong said, when she noted that Arthur becomes history because it demonstrates the influence and medievalism in the current society.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with this. Although Arthur is probably more literature than history in our modern world, it provided important historical role models in medieval society. Similarly, these characters were identifiable to medieval people, allowing escapism and nostalgia.
PS: That last picture... I want what he's having.
While King Arthur may or may not have existed it evidence indicates an Arthurian character being present at the very least in Celtic Mythology. This has as such been a shaping force behind many historic movements and ideals, being a strong purveyor of moral codes. Thus while Arthur himself may not be a factual entity, or has been exagerated byond the norm, he has influenced the shaping of the world at one point or another significantley.
ReplyDeleteThe tale itself provides a sense of autocthony for many peoples, and in it's many forms can be seen as a foundation layer for the chivalric code. This explains it's popularism not only in the modern worldbut also ages past, as it was used in Mallory's form to enforce a heavy sense of medievalism still present today. This means not only is the tale a form of propoganda but popularised ideaology.