Abstract This paper analyzes how in his "A ConnecticutYankee in KingArthur's Court", Mark Twain seeks to satirize many of the "romantic? notions about the legend of KingArthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It looks at how his depiction of 6th century England reveals a time and a country that is rife with political, economic and social problems where many people are subjugated by fear of the supernatural and forced to lead oppressed lives. It discusses how Twain's novel seeks to tell us as much about the failings of 19th century post-Enlightenment American ideology as it does to criticize the romantic vision of KingArthur.
From the Paper "In his zeal to develop 6th century England into a technologically-advanced republic based on democratic principles, the Yankee unleashes all of the horrors of modern warfare upon the knights that try to stop him. In this final battle, we see the ways in which Twain's satire has increasingly come to question the values of America in the 19th century, and that this critique is just as profound and deep-seated as his earlier attacks on the romanticism of Arthurian England. The Yankee's idea is that it is only the Church and the aristocracy that are opposed to a republic, because a democratic government would not benefit them since they already possess a higher role in the social order under the monarchy. Hank argues that if he and his supporters can just get rid of the upper echelon of British society, then they will have control of the country and can set up a new government."
Abstract In this paper, the writer then looks at "A ConnecticutYankee in KingArthur's Court" by Mark Twain and examines the author's use of satire in the novel. The writer points out that, in the novel, Twain satires 6th century Europeans and Americans of his time. The writer concludes that Twain used a double edge sword in the novel and by the time the character Hank was done with his story, both edges of the sword were covered with the blood of satire.
From the Paper "Those lines really start the beginning of Twain illustrating the social problems of the mid-evil times. How peasant kids were running around in the nude and adults were wearing run down garbs. The Royal and Nobel families, on the other hand, were clad with far different clothing with items such as dragon clad armor and more vibrant colors. In the first few chapters we also see Twain's first attack on modern Europeans and there boringness, an opinion that was widely held by Americans of his time. He also describes the Europeans as simple but violent and dishonest, and later he realizes that the knights are pretty honest, but are fans of hyperbole."
Tags: Twain, Mark Twain, A ConnecticutYankee in KingArthur's Court, Satire
Abstract The paper shows that if there was an historical KingArthur he would have existed centuries before the era of knighthood, probably sometime in the sixth century. It discusses how the historical reality of Arthur is much in doubt and remains a controversy, though Arthur has his champions who believe the stories of his reign began with a real personage and then were turned into myth and legend by various writers, each treating Arthur differently. The author traces the history of the stories relating to Arthur, and analyzes some of these works such as Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte D'Arthur" and "The History of the Kings of Britain" by Welsh monk Geoffrey of Monmouth in 1135.
From the Paper " Many of the elements that would be part of the later tradition were missing, however. Arthur's court is not at Camelot but at a place called Caerlon-on-Usk, or City of Legions. Geoffrey contributed at least three new elements to the existing histories of Arthur--he supplied Arthur with a family tree, told of Arthur's association with Merlin, and described his burial at Avalon. Later chroniclers would use Geoffrey's account as a source and would develop more complex stories establishing Arthur as a king in the popular imagination."
Tags: Camelot, Merlin, Christien, de, Troyes, Sir, Lancelot, Holy, Grail, Mordred, Alfred, Lord, Tennyson, Idylls, of, the, King
Abstract This paper discusses how the legend of KingArthur has existed in various forms, passed down from generation to generation to be a dominate part of western literature and society almost fifteen hundred years after Arthur supposedly lived. The story of Arthur and his knights has been told in plays, artworks and even video games; the latest reincarnation being "Tomb Raider: Legend". In order to discover why this story is continually retold, the paper goes back to its inception and looks at its various versions throughout history.
From the Paper "While Geoffrey of Monmouth's history had been written with the Anglo-Norman kings in mind, the French romances that came next were perhaps aimed at the female audience, queens in particular. With the classical stories of Ovid and Horace as their guidebooks, the French writers added on to Geoffrey's writings and brought the Arthurian legend into a new transition, with a purpose of retelling for the sake on entertainment through courtly love and lust (Miller 146). More characters were added and stories of the Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot love triangle, by their nature were written and retold to include women, most prominently, Eleanor of Aquitaine and her daughter Marie de Champagne. Miller compares this to a modern soap opera: "when damsels in distress suffer succour, a glamorous champion comes ... Formula fiction multiplies easily" (Miller 146). "
Abstract This paper examines the ways in which Twain used wit, repartee, and an engaging cast of characters in "A ConnecticutYankee in KingArthur's Court" to make a strong statement against imperialism. It also looks at how some of his other works, like "Huckleberry Finn", also have social messages against slavery.
From the Paper "Twain's novel suggests that when different people come together the one with the simpler weapons will always lose: It only takes a handful of imperialists (and indeed in the novel it takes only one) to lay waste to the structure of an entire culture. The message of the novel is that meddling is bound to lead to terrible consequences. (Although a secondary reading of the novel might well be that such imperialist meddling is also inevitable.)"
Abstract This paper examines Mark Twain's "A ConnecticutYankee in KingArthur's Court", which presents a humorous picture of the sixth century A.D. The paper asserts that, in the story, Twain not only ridicules the customs and traditions of this ancient British civilization, but he also criticizes his present day American society, making it unclear as to which group Twain was indicting in this novel. The paper concludes that, by creating an "all American" character such as Hank who is proud and almost egotistical about the advances of his time, Twain is able to point out how much some "good old American know-how" could have improved Camelot and the lives of the people living in it while also taking subtle jabs at the American people's overt self-confidence.
From the Paper "Throughout the novel, Twain continuously pokes fun at the gullibility of the extremely religious people, from King to commoners, which he meets during his journey. He becomes "The Boss" simply by using knowledge and skills he had from his more advanced era to come up with different ploys that will fool them into thinking of him as mighty and powerful. For example, when a water well in a community of monks is not filling with water, the monks all assume it is a punishment from God and are shocked when "The Boss" says he can magically solve their problem and refill the well with water. He recalls a time in America when an oil well had ceased to flow. Dynamite was used to blast it out and allow the flow to continue. This would also cause a sudden surge of water that would astonish those present."
Abstract This paper argues that Twain's satire in "A ConnecticutYankee in KingArthur's Court" is not at cross-purposes, but is rather a carefully orchestrated program designed to highlight both external and internal threats to American liberal democracy. The paper explains that Twain envisages these threats to America in the form of the Church, monarchy and the vast economic disparity between rich and poor predicated upon capitalist greed. The paper contends that ultimately, Twain's satire is implying that the liberal democratic model, with its related apparatus of social and technological progress, is an extremely new and fragile system. For the purposes of the paper, it is assumed that the reader is familiar with "A ConnecticutYankee" and some of its related criticism.
From the Paper "In November of 1886, Samuel L. Clemens penned a letter to Mary Mason Fairbanks in which he described the earliest stages of what would ultimately become A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. In light of the present version of Twain's novel, his comment that "the story isn't a satire peculiarly, it is more especially a contrast" (Ensor 296) rings in the ears of the contemporary scholar with considerable irony. Indeed, the fact that Twain's Hank Morgan is "a Yankee of Yankees," that is, thoroughly American, and yet utterly fails at his project to "flood the midnight world with light" (Twain 51), leaving it instead in a state of chaos and bloodshed, reveals Twain's complex irony. In light of Morgan's failure, the reader must necessarily ask, what is Twain ultimately satirizing, and to what extent, if any, are his satirical tendencies at cross-purposes?"
Abstract This paper discusses that scholars believe that Arthur is a weave of Celtic kings from history and the stories associated with them that began in the Fifth Century and become immortalized through literature by authors such as Geoffrey of Monmouth, Chretien, Malory and Tennyson. The paper reviews many of the characters from the Arthur legend that have been popularized through countless works of literature, plays, poems, books, movies and art created by artists during every era of history.
From the Paper "The quest for the Holy Grail is said to have begun when the Green Knight arrived at Camelot and issued the challenge. According to the code of Camelot, a knight must not refuse a challenge made to him and must follow it through to the end. Arthur's long reign was marred by the illicit love of Guinevere and Lancelot, and his later years were marked by ?conflicts which culminated in the disastrous battle on Salisbury Plain, when Arthur was mortally wounded by his bastard son Mordred.?
Abstract This paper discusses how T. H. White's book is an attempt upon the author's part to tell the story of KingArthur and the Round Table through new eyes, to a new audience. It shows how the book details Arthur's coming to power and his loss of power in four books. It is not simply as a history of nobility or the English crown, but chronicles an experimental ideal of justice advanced by Arthur during an earlier era of English history.
From the Paper "The equally anachronistic ideal of democracy in the Middle Ages is reflected in the book's symbolic use of the Round Table. The Round Table has no head, unlike a rectangular table. The rectangular table was the traditional table used by kings to administer their courts. The rectangular table has a ?head,? or a seat alone, where the presiding individual stands above and aloof from the others. But the round table of King Arthur does not have such a head. It does not have such a seat apart from the other knights, even for the king himself. During a meeting of Arthur and his knights, Arthur is an equal. During a council meeting, every knight has the same right to articulate his grievances."
Abstract This paper tells the life story and myth of KingArthur. It looks at the period before his birth, the legends of his strength and power, and the impact he had on the region.
Outline
Before KingArthur's Birth
Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther
Uther, the King Uther's Death
Arthur Became the King The Round Table
The Death of KingArthur KingArthur's Childhood
The Sword in the Stone
Rebellion Against KingArthur KingArthur Is Lied to
Evil Sir Mordred
The Death of KingArthur
From the Paper "Aurelius Ambrosius and Uther did not let the murder of their brother, Constans, just passed by without revenge. When the two came to manhood, they started their revenge to Vortigern. They burned Vortigern's palace. Along with it was Vortigern who was burned to death. The death of Vortigern paved the way for Aurelius to become the king. As the king, Aurelius fought the Saxons to drive them away of Logres. Horsa, one of the leaders of the Saxons, was killed in the battle while Hengist was captured and executed. Aurelius also fought with Octa, the son of Hengist, which led to Octa's defeat. Aurelius? kingship brought about the re-establishment of Logres. He was soon poisoned by Paschent, Vortigern's son. Aurelius was buried in a Stonehenge, a large circle which was built out of Merlin's advice."
This paper explores adaptations of medieval English Arthurian literature into works of juvenile fiction. It compares three Arthurian legends in children's literature with three medieval texts and shows the views of one literary critic.
Abstract This paper explores the timeless medieval English KingArthur 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 KingArthur 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."
This paper analyzes whether or not the character of Guinevere is portrayed in a historically accurate way in Jerry Bruckheimer's 2004 film "KingArthur."
Abstract This well-researched paper examines the historical content of Bruckheimer's film which the director claims is the true story of KingArthur and his relationship with Guinevere, based on discovered archaeological facts. The writer of this paper contends and explains why this is somewhat inaccurate, due to the fact that the film is based on speculation put forward by the historian Kemp Malone in 1924. This paper focuses on the character of Guinevere as depicted in this film, while comparing it to available historical data that contradicts the director's claims. This paper discusses the difficulty of pinning down an accurate portrayal of Guinevere due to the fact that she is defined primarily by her relationship with Arthur. This paper details why the film's depiction of Guinevere and her relationship to Arthur is not necessarily based on historical fact or legend, but rather on entirely speculative historical fiction.
From the Paper "Guinevere's clothing and hands are not the only thing critics point to; they also suggest that she is being presented in a historically inaccurate way as a female warrior. In many movies it may be true that women are ahistorically buffed up - however, this is not necessarily one of those cases. While the historical Gwenhyvar is unlikely to have been a warrior, there is no historical reason to suggest that she was not a warrior. Celtic women were considered equal with the men, and many of them went into battle. An article published in Keltria: Journal of Druidism and Celtic Magic, explains how primary sources indicate that "Celtic women also took an energetic part in melee."
Abstract Although there are many similarities between "Beowulf" and "KingArthur", there are a number of significant differences. Both men, for example, became heroes for different reasons and objectives, thus implying that their motivation sprung from different sources. This paper, therefore, contrasts and compares "Beowulf" and "KingArthur" by examining their qualities, their ambitions, and the outcome of their noble and heroic actions.
Outline:
Introduction
Men of Honor
Conclusion
From the Paper "Beowulf and King Arthur, although existing within different eras, were considered as heroes because of the way in which they stood against evil. Beowulf, for example, whose incredible deeds are told in an Old English heroic poem of the same name, defeated the terrible human-eating monster and its mother, while King Arthur fought an evil knight. Both heroes, furthermore, rode out in battle against an enemy that had supernatural powers, thus leaving them both in a distinctively disadvantaged position. As depicted, therefore, Beowulf and King Arthur were men of courage and honor - heroes because of the way in which they bravely faced a powerful enemy, despite the risks they faced. In fact, both heroes chose to go into battle either alone, or with just a few men, as seen by Beowulf, who demands, "That [he] alone and with the help of [his] men / May purge all evil from [the] hall" (165-166).
Abstract This paper explores, section by section, the main themes and characters in Whites' popular representation of the immortal legend of KingArthur. The paper explains how White takes a legend and creates a tale full of love, loyalty, war, peace, and idealism. He gives the reader a tragic tale of the human spirit. The paper continues to discuss that the plot remains central to the theme of "might vs. right" until the very end.
From the Paper "The next section entitled The Queen of Air and Darkness tells of Arthur's war to defend his title and secure his throne. His fight to claim his rights leads Arthur to a battle within himself. At one point Arthur declares to his subjects "Why can't you harness might so that it works for right" (254). He believes that in his pursuit to conquer his foes, he could use might to turn the bad things into something good. Merlyn is aware of his naivete but knows that time will bring knowledge or failure. Only time will tell the story. Later in the Ill-Made Knight, he creates a roundtable of his best and most noble knights to fight for the good of the kingdom. He chooses as one of his knights, Sir Lancelot, known as a "knight with a medieval respect for honour" (353)."
Abstract This paper discusses the various sources on which Sir Thomas Mallory drew to create the version of the legend of KingArthur that is known today. The writer provides an overview of the historical background for the Arthurian legend and the evidence that exists for a historical Arthur. The writer explains the medieval traditions of courtly love and of chivalry that Mallory incorporated into his book and his legacy of the knightly ideal that was detailed by Chaucer in his "Canterbury Tales," and in the fourteenth-century poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight."
From the Paper "The account that did the most to establish Arthur as a prominent historical figure was The History of the Kings of Britain written in 1135 by Geoffrey of Monmouth, a Welsh monk, and the book provides a history of the earliest kings of Britain, some 99 in all, including King Coel, known to us today from the nursery rhyme as Old King Cole. About one-fifth of the book is devoted to Arthur, and Geoffrey provides the first organized version of the story. Many of the elements that would be part of the later tradition were missing, however. Arthur's court is not at Camelot but at a place called Caerlon-on-Usk, or City of Legions. Geoffrey contributed at least three new elements to the existing histories of Arthur--he supplied Arthur with a family tree, told of Arthur's association with Merlin, and described his burial at Avalon."
