Abstract
This paper explains that Sir Gawain and Sir Perceval, knights of the round table, are not part of the primary narratives in the literature of the Arthurian legend. Next, the author explains that Perceval is a device used to push forward the story of the Grail and its affiliated critical observations; whereas, the role of the adventures of Gawain is to distract irrelevantly from the search for the Grail or the continued glory of the crown. The paper concludes that the adventures of Gawain and Perceval help to establish a human correlation to religious crusading and chivalrous violence without approaching a moral connotation or value judgment.

From the Paper
"As they exist on the relative fringe or literary consideration but with great esteem from King Arthur nonetheless, each generates his own personal story within the context of the legend which bears its own peculiarities and insights. In many ways, Gawain is the archetypal adventurer, with depictions frequently following Gawain with expectation of numerous acts of heroism, chivalrous simplicity and skilled aggression. To our way of thinking, his is a character which is frequently discredited by his own obtuse moral perspective, but which is also constant in his sense of duty and honor in knighthood. "

Tags:narratives nobility peripheral, holy grail, archetypal adventurer

Abstract
A discussion of Arthurian literature that includes information of the time period and the main characteristics of the literature. The paper also includes where it was first popular, the main writers associated with it, why it was unique to the time period in which it was popular and why it is significant to modern audiences.

From the Paper
"During the Renaissance, the popularity of a former alleged king of Britain, King Arthur, grew rapidly. Being as the Tudor line of royalty traced its legitimacy of kingship to King Arthur, it is not surprising Arthurian legend blossomed in this era. Likewise chivalry, romance, magical science, war and the battle between pagan and Christian influence are embodied in Arthurian literature."

Tags:Britain, Holy Grail, legend, myth, history, knights, chivalry, romance, Round Table, Tudors, Renaissance

Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts two Arthurian legends with respect to the role of the hero cycle. It looks at T.H. White's novel that traces the life of King Arthur, "The Once and Future King," and the chivalric adventure, "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." It also looks at the hero quest and the journey to obtain it in both stories.

From the Paper
"Among the many themes that dominate all Arthurian literature is that of the hero on a cyclic quest in pursuit of some greater good or cause that speaks to the obligation of the knight to protect others. In this brief.."

Tags:King Arthur, Holy Grail, hero quest, hero cycle

Abstract
This paper positively reviews Chretien De Troyes's prose translations of the five Arthurian romances. The paper then explains how the focus of Chretian De Troyes's translation differs from the focus seen in the original romances. Finally, the paper highlights the theme that is common to all the prose and explains how this theme is reflection of the times in which Chretien De Troyes lived.

From the Paper
"The book contains prose translations of all the five Arthurian romances written by Chr'tien de Troyes. These are "Erec and Enide", "Cliges", "Lancelot" (Le Chevalier de la Charrette), "Yvain" (Le Chevalier au Lion) and "Perceval". If the original poems are written in a vivid and alert style, with the stories succeeding each other at fast pace, so that the reader finds it hard not to continue the story, translation into prose makes them even easier to read and understand. A critique on this book closely relates to having a closer look at all five poems and at Chr'tien's work in general."

Tags:poems, king, arthur, legend, celtic, warrior, bravery, chivalry, knights, gallantry, adventure

From the Paper
"The purpose of this research is to examine the continuation of the Arthurian tradition established in Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur", particularly in the story line dealing with the quest for the Holy Grail, in the post-medieval juvenile novel "Over Sea, Under Stone" by Susan Cooper. The plan of the research will be to set forth the Grail story line in Malory's work, and then to note similarities and differences in Cooper's treatment, with a view toward suggesting the purpose Cooper had in using the Arthurian legend in her book.

To discuss the quest for the Holy Grail in Malory is to discuss the principal feature of moral content in the narrative that legitimates the entire environment of chivalric adventurism. As Malory's tale makes plain, the pull of priorities among affairs of the heart, assorted court intrigues, ... "

Abstract
The paper shows that we can perhaps best come to an understanding of the role that women play in the Arthurian legends by examining the love story of Lancelot and Guinevere. It explains that we see in Guinevere the different roles and functions that women are supposed to meet in this world and the impossibility of their being able to fulfill each and every one of those roles. The paper discusses however, that we do not see these things in her as an independent character but rather in her relationships to Lancelot and to Arthur. This is in fact only appropriate, for women in the Arthurian ring do not stand by themselves. They are continually defined through their relationships to men. The paper discusses the works of several writers of Arthurian legends including Sir Thomas Malory and Chretien de Troyes.

From the Paper
"Within the Arthurian legend, Morgan le Fay is often referred to as a queen and she is one of the three queens who tempts Lancelot, making her in this important way a parallel to Guinevere. But while Guinevere is as loyal as she can be to Arthur and betrays him reluctantly and at great personal cost, Morgan stands in opposition to Arthur with ease. Like the fay in the Cu Chulainn tale, this Morgan is a sort of semi-divine adversary whose role in this world is not to love Arthur (or Lancelot) but to serve as an agonist, as an antagonist who helps to keep Arthur and his knights on their guard."

Tags:Lancelot, Round, Table, Guinevere, Sir, Galahad, Grail, Tristan, Isolde, La, mort, de, roi, Artu, Cu, Chulainn

Abstract
Although no actual historical accounts of a King Arthur exist, his reputation is certainly legendary. Whatever the case, the deeds of Arthur, fictitious or not, developed into an immense body of romantic stories that have provided a glorious past for the Britons. This paper looks at the history of the Arthurian legends beginning with "De Excidio et Conauestu Britanniae" (c.540) by the Roman-Welsh citizen, Gildas, through Geoffrey of Monmouth's popular "History of the Kings of Britain" (c. 1136) and concluding with Sir Thomas Malory's "Morte D'Arthur (c. 1470), based on both English and French Arthurian traditions.

From the Paper
"The development of the Arthurian legend reflects medieval political and nationalistic concerns. A great deal of fiction in the guise of fact, the legend of Arthur provided a glorious past for the Britons who wanted to believe that they could trace their ancestry to Aeneas in Troy, as suggested by Geoffrey and Layamon. Geoffrey indeed realized this desire to satisfy the need to know one's roots when he created what he did not know in his History. In a turbulent age when acts of violence founded countries, kingdoms, and even families, the emergence of a strong leader capable of combating the discord with violent acts of his own appealed to the people and gave them both justification for their present state and hope for their future. With his series of expanding conquests, power being the ultimate authorizing force (might makes right), Arthur embodies the Celtic good by legally legitimizing and glorifying territorial victories much like the Norman Conquest. Thus, Arthur was a national hero who unified the Britons and prevented them from fighting amongst themselves so much that outside forces could easily defeat them."

Tags:Ambrosius, Aurelianus, Culwch, Olwen, Vulgate, Cycle

Abstract
The writer of this paper contends that just as people use the bible and tales from Greek mythology as guides for moral behavior, Arthurian codes of chivalry can also be used as such a source. This paper lists the 10 basic rules of chivalry and compares them to the 10 commandments. This paper defines chivalry as a set of ideals and duties that changed throughout the middle ages to meet new socio-economic realities. Chivalric virtues were a clear distillation of what it meant to be a fine human being as well as a person in search of justice and humility.
Topics covered in this report include:
Chivalry
The Code of Chivalry
Bibliography

From the Paper
"To be honorable means to treat other people fairly and to keep our word when we promise something. It also means that we are willing to admit our mistakes and ask forgiveness. We don't attempt to cover up mistakes and hope no one notices. First, we tell the other person without mincing words that we have screwed up and that we will do what we can to correct the matter. Then we ask for forgiveness without expecting it. Finally, we take whatever comes. To be courageous is easy when no one else is involved. It is when we have to deal with other people that we sometimes get terrified and run. But to have courage (to be brave) does not mean that we don't have fear."

Tags:ideals, ethics, arthur, middle, ages, history, morality

Abstract
This paper explores the timeless medieval English King Arthur character in literature throughout the ages as viewed in adaptations of the stories for children. Medieval Arthurian literature from England had a more serious and deeper tone than the children's books written based on the tales of King Arthur today, while some take on a more light-hearted mood for the tale. This paper examines critical reviews of Arthurian literature, and also warns against the possibility of the Arthur legend teaching children too much about defeat.

From the Paper
" Oscar Wilde once said, "I am not young enough to know everything." This quote brings into words the idea that a child's imagination is far more complex than the reason and seriousness of an adult. Most children spend the first part of their lives learning all the things most adults refuse to believe in: unicorns, fairies, dragons, and even chivalry. A great example of this is the vast collection of children's books that retell Arthurian legends. The tales of King Arthur recur frequently in children's literature, and most of the works are closely knit to their medieval counterparts. The language and images in these new Arthurian works allow children to feel the archaic mood of Middle English and picture the trials of Merlin, King Arthur, and the Knights of the Round Table. Medieval Arthurian literature from England had a more serious and deep tone than the children's books written on the tales of King Arthur today."

Tags:ages, arthurian, children, medieval, middle, king, arthur, literature, english, legend

Abstract
This paper is an in-depth literary analysis of the Arthurian poem, Lanval by Marie de France. While analyzing the lay, the author also relates the material to the time period-the Middle Ages, and places the story in context.

From the Paper
"Marie de France's Lay, Lanval, is a romantic Arthurian Poem laced with the supernatural and political undertones. It seems to show a new side of King Arthur that we do not see in other Arthurian tales of the period and points out the flawed judicial system in place as well as the corruptibility of the court. Marie also portrays her female characters in an unusual way and shows us more than one side to the feminine face in literature."

Tags:ages, arthurian, british, lay, literature, middle, poetry, romance