The perception of the Arthurian legend during Medieval Times and today. The Holy Grail

Dossier / Travail , 2015 , 7 Pages , Note: 2,7

Philologie Anglaise - Littérature

This term paper focuses on the perception of the Holy Grail and also on the represenation of the Arthurian legend in the Monty Python movie.

The Arthurian legend is one of the widest known legends of the middle ages and the story about King Arthur can be dated back to the 9th century. Then his name was first mentioned in the "Historia Brittonum", which is a Latin compilation of historical texts and events. In the "Historia Brittonum" he was described as a Roman British military leader unlike to his later image as the king of the Britons who fought against the Anglo Saxons.

The first mention of Arthur as the king of Britons was then in the 12th century by the British author Geoffrey of Monmouth in his "Historia Regum Britannie". This was also the time when the Arthurian literary circle became part of the Matter of Britain, a collective body of medieval literature and legendary material which is associated with Great Britain.

Monmouth's "Historia Regnum Britannie" functioned as the base for Robert Wace's verse history "Roman de Brut". In this text the renowned round table of king Arthur and his knights was first mentioned and also the name of the magical sword Excalibur first arose. Moreover, in the 12th century the French poet Chrétien de Troyes wrote his works based on the Arthurian legend. He added the stories about Parceval, one of Arthur's knights, and the search for the holy grail.

This research report argues that the story about Arthur and his knights never lost its significance and its fascination over hundreds of years, even up until today. Not only by actors during the middle ages, the story was used for their mystery plays, but also in the 20th century the Arthurian legend can be found in several texts and movies, one of which is Monthy Python and the Holy Grail.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The Story of the Holy Grail
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail
• Conclusion

Objectives and Key Themes

This research report aims to demonstrate the enduring significance and fascination of the Arthurian legend, exploring its evolution over centuries, from its origins in the 9th century to its contemporary presence in popular culture. It specifically focuses on the story of the Holy Grail, tracing its development and its enduring appeal.

• The evolution of the Arthurian legend from its early historical roots to its literary and cultural impact.
• The emergence of the Holy Grail as a central element in Arthurian narratives and its symbolic significance.
• The influence of the Arthurian legend on medieval literature and theater.
• The use of Arthurian themes and characters in contemporary works, particularly Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
• The enduring appeal of the Arthurian legend and its capacity to resonate with audiences across different historical periods.

Chapter Summaries

• Introduction: This chapter traces the historical origins of the Arthurian legend, beginning with its first mentions in the 9th century and examining its development into a central component of the Matter of Britain. It highlights the role of key figures like Geoffrey of Monmouth and Chrétien de Troyes in shaping the legend.
• The Story of the Holy Grail: This chapter delves into the origins and significance of the Holy Grail as a symbol in Arthurian narratives. It examines the role of the Grail in the stories of Perceval and Arthur, focusing on its mysterious nature and its ability to provide sustenance, eternal youth, and happiness. The chapter also explores the impact of authors like Chrétien de Troyes, Wolfgang von Eschenbach, and Robert de Boron on the Grail narrative, highlighting their contributions to its development and their diverse interpretations of its symbolic meaning.
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail: This chapter analyzes the comedic reimagining of the Arthurian legend in Monty Python's 1975 film, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." It examines how the film subverts traditional portrayals of King Arthur and the medieval setting, highlighting the creators' use of satire and absurdist humor to create a humorous and critical commentary on the legend and its historical context.

Keywords

This research report focuses on the Arthurian legend, the Holy Grail, medieval literature, Arthurian narratives, British literature, medieval culture, the Matter of Britain, medieval theater, Monty Python, and the Holy Grail's symbolic meaning.

• Université: Ruhr-University of Bochum (Englisches Seminar)
• Cours: Medieval English
• Note: 2,7
• Auteur: Anonym (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2015
• Pages: 7
• N° de catalogue: V353485
• ISBN (ebook): 9783668395107
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Arthurian Ledgend, Medieval English, Holy Grail