What exactly is it that has made the story of the life and times of King Arthur endure the ages? Is it the excitement and adrenaline rush that comes along with the Knights of the Round Table? or the romantic elements of knights and ladies? Is it the glorious times we see in Camelot that have brought audiences to King Arthur's doorstep since the Middle Ages? These are questions that can be answered in every different possible way, and that is part of the beauty of the story. The legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table has survived all of the tests of time, and remains today a beloved topic for literature, theater, oral tradition, and even the big screen! Can the stories long-lived success be attributed to one particular aspect? I say nay.
It is a perfect blend of multiple aspects of the story that has created the reader/viewer support for so long. These are stories of heroism, love, daring, magic, nobility, and downright senselessness. For me, it is: The Once and Future King, Excalibur, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight that paint the most interesting pictures of the time period. But as any fan of great movies will agree: Monty Python and the Holy Grail can NEVER be left out of conversation, in reference to the life and times of King Arthur! This is a purely genius work of comedy that would make anyone wish to visit Camelot. Well, "On second thought, let's not go to Camelot. It is a silly place." (Monty Python and the Holy Grail 1975)
Of the written word I've read of King Arthur, I would surely say that Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was the most enjoyable to me. This is a story of heroism, nobility, "pleasure", and some simple senseless violence, in the name of pride. Sir Gawain chooses to risk his own neck to save his king, and THIS is exactly what being a knight in these troubling, yet truly hilarious times is all about. In my opinion, this plays a big role in just why the story of King Arthur has survived so many hundreds of years. Sir Gawain plays a dangerous game, in the name of honor. "And now, Gawain: think. Danger is yours to overcome, and this game brings you danger. Can this game be won?" (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 487-490) This, to me, is a really fascinating story, because it can be broken down into a million pieces and analyzed, and when all of that is said and done, the story can be described very simply as a great discription of the time period. It is simply enjoyable and does not entirely lack humor, as certain stories of the time period surely do.
Other great stories that simply cannot be left out include: T.H. White's The Once and Future King, Malory's Le Morte de Arthur, First Knight, Camelot, and many others that have held an important place of the big screens, the stage, and the pages of innumerable books. Of these works, I found The Once and Future King to be particualarly interesting due to Arthur's age. "It is for the time when I am a real King, and have got this kingdom settled. I was wondering whether you would care to help, when you are old enough" (The Once and Future King 316) The concept of Arthur's childhood and his rise to power was particularly cool to me.
GO BRUCE! GO YALE! GO JETS! GO METS! (Bonus points!)
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