The Holy Grail

Paper Summary:

The grail is one of the most difficult problems of Arthurian legend, introducing as it does features of Christian story, Celtic myth, and ancient fertility cults. To identify the impact of this legend on 21st century literature, this paper provides a review of the relevant literature to develop the background, history, religious significance, and historical efforts to locate the grail. A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion.

From the Paper:

"The Holy Grail is a fascinating feature of medieval legend and literature. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the name refers to a legendary sacred vessel, variously identified with the chalice of the Eucharist or the dish of the Pascal lamb, and the theme of a famous medieval cycle of romance. "In the romances the conception of the Grail varies considerably; its nature is often but vaguely indicated, and, in the case of Chrestien's Perceval poem, it is left wholly unexplained" (Remy 1909:2003). The Grail appears in various accounts as a chalice, a cup, or a dish and sometimes as a stone or a caldron into which a bleeding lance drips. It was identified by Christians as the chalice of the Last Supper brought to England by St. Joseph of Arimathea. Miraculous in its powers, the Grail could provide food and healing. However, it would be revealed only to a pure knight, and the Grail Quest appears in different stories. In Arthurian legend the purest knight is variously Parsifal or Galahad."

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