The Endurance of Arthurian Legends

After reading just a few tales about Arthurian Legends, one can see many reasons why they have endured over the years. They posses timeless themes which make them relatable and endearing to any generation, especially when romance is involved. These legends have cemented themselves even further in current society in their adaptation into satires. Not only can people appreciate the serious and mature aspects of Arthurian Legends, but they can also recognize how silly some of the legends can seem.

Without a doubt, romance and magic are major factors as to why Arthurian Legends have maintained their appeal. Romance is presented in Sir Gawain and the Lady Ragnell, in which Gawain marries a woman who is under a curse that has made her grotesque and deformed, but breaks the curse through his good heart and pure intentions. At the end of the story it is said "Gawain took his new bride in his arms. And thus, in wonder and in joy, the marriage of Gawain and the lady Ragnell began." (Sir Gawain and The Lady Ragnell) The idea of magic and mysticism also plays a major role in keeping many generations interested. In Tennyson's Lady of Shalott the reader learns about a curse which forbids the lady from looking directly out into the world around her. The author writes, "The mirror crack'd from side to side/ "The curse is come upon me," cried/ The Lady of Shalott". (Tennyson) Because the readers know that scenes like this can't really happen in life, focusing on magic in Arthurian Legends allows for fantasies to manifest.

Another idea that really solidifies Arthurian legends into today's culture is Monty Python's interpretation of King Arthur's search for the Holy Grail. They poke fun at the knights brash courage when the knights in the movie shout "RUN AWAY! RUN AWAY!", (Monty Python and the Holy Grail) whenever trouble appears. This interpretation makes ancient stories fun to learn about again and it has definitely made itself a standard among any Medieval history buffs. Even though comedy has been a factor in preserving the continued interest in Arthurian Legends, there are many others and I'm sure people will be reading them for years to come.

Medieval Romance

Personally, I don't mind reading the medieval romance stories that we have been reading lately. Although they seem a bit far-fetched and extravagent to me, the themes at the core of the material are endearing. In "Sir Gawain and The Lady Ragnell", Sir Gawain weds Lady Ragnell so she will tell King Arthur the answer to a riddle that Sir Gromer has given him. He acts graciuosly toward her even though she is grotesque, and this kindness reveals to him a beatiful young girl. Not only does he break the first spell, which allows her to be beautiful half the time, but he braks the second spell, which allows her to be beautiful all the time. When given the choice between having Lady Ragnell beautiful by day or by night, Gawain says "It is a choice I can not make, my dear Ragnell. If concerns you. Whatever you choose to be- fair by day or fair by night- I will willingly abide by it." This shows his unconditional love and acceptance of Lady Ragnell, a value that anyone must admire.