Myth & Legend: The Legend of King Arthur
After reading chapters 7 & 8 of King Arthur, reflect on the following prompts to prepare for a discussion activity tomorrow. NO WORK IS NECESSARY EXCEPT THINKING ABOUT THESE.
1. What tasks does Arthur perform that make him a great hero? What does each task contribute to his heroic image?
2. Why is Lancelot reputed to be the greatest knight in Arthur's court? Does his reputation give him more credit than he deserves? Explain.
3. Tragic Heroes possess a fatal flaw, suffer a reversal of fortune, experience a fall from grace, and meet a tragic death (among other things); knowing this, who would you argue fulfills the criteria of a Tragic Hero in the King Arthur myth. Explain.
4. Arthur ignores the love affair between Guinevere and Lancelot until Agravain and Mordred make a public issue of it. Does Arthur's behavior reflect weakness or strength? Defend your point of view.
5. A. When a snake causes the truce between Arthur and Mordred to be broken, does this enhance or detract from the myth? Is such a haphazard event realistic? B. Have any historical events occurred because of an unpredictable, unintended circumstance?
6. A. Why does the myth end with the question of Arthur's mysterious death? Does it enhance or detract from the myth? Explain. B. What do you think happened to Arthur at the end of the myth? Why?
7. Explain why you like or dislike the following characters: Lancelot, Guinevere, Arthur.
Myth & Legend: The Legend of King Arthur
After reading chapters 7 & 8 of King Arthur, reflect on the following prompts to prepare for a discussion activity tomorrow. NO WORK IS NECESSARY EXCEPT THINKING ABOUT THESE.
1. What tasks does Arthur perform that make him a great hero? What does each task contribute to his heroic image?
2. Why is Lancelot reputed to be the greatest knight in Arthur's court? Does his reputation give him more credit than he deserves? Explain.
3. Tragic Heroes possess a fatal flaw, suffer a reversal of fortune, experience a fall from grace, and meet a tragic death (among other things); knowing this, who would you argue fulfills the criteria of a Tragic Hero in the King Arthur myth. Explain.
4. Arthur ignores the love affair between Guinevere and Lancelot until Agravain and Mordred make a public issue of it. Does Arthur's behavior reflect weakness or strength? Defend your point of view.
5. A. When a snake causes the truce between Arthur and Mordred to be broken, does this enhance or detract from the myth? Is such a haphazard event realistic? B. Have any historical events occurred because of an unpredictable, unintended circumstance?
6. A. Why does the myth end with the question of Arthur's mysterious death? Does it enhance or detract from the myth? Explain. B. What do you think happened to Arthur at the end of the myth? Why?
7. Explain why you like or dislike the following characters: Lancelot, Guinevere, Arthur.