King Arthur Research Paper

The tale of King Arthur has persisted since Middle Ages. Now known as a fearless king who led his knights of the round table against the forces of evil, Arthur was not always told as a king, for he was once told as a talented ruler who fought against the enemies of England. The tale of Arthur become more extravagant as it grew in retellings and as its basis in reality was forgotten. Arthur’s legacy may have a basis in reality. Some researchers searched the path Arthur travelled on his journey and found luxury pots in these places (Jones). While this 8th century discovery does not prove the existence of Arthur, it does show the presence of a wealth uncommon in this time. It may be evidence of a figure that mimics Arthur. Or it may be one

His claim both supports the existence of Arthur and shows a reality different from the story today. While most people imagine Arthur as a valiant and noble king, he may have just been a warlord who was known for his skills in war. However, there is little solid proof of his existence, for “even the earliest surviving accounts of him seem to have been written long after the facts were distorted and he had passed into the realm of mythology” (Earliest Versions of the Legend). Since most of the facts known come from after his supposed existence, most claims of his identity is little more than speculation. He may be based on a single brutal warlord, or he may be a combination of different individuals who resemble the ideal hero. One of the only realistic identities given to Arthur is “Lucius Artorius Castus” (Lord Tennyson). Castus was a Roman military leader in the 2nd century who was famous for his excellent tactics. His earlier success in England “may have been remembered for years afterward” by the

In earlier accounts, Arthur was not an extravagant king whose exploits bordered on the supernatural; he was a solid king who protected England from its enemies. In a text from the Middle Ages, Arthur was a solid leader for both his knights and his people, and he won many battles after shedding blood. While his people may have believed he was chosen by God’s will, his feats did not surpass the limits of a normal man. Additionally, the retelling does not shy away from the bloodshed by Arthur’s knights. In this story, Arthur is “they fadir and begate the on Igrayne” (Malory). Arthur is an above average king who protects the will and lives of his people. However, during the Renaissance, the scopes of his tale begin to expand. In this tale, Arthur faces more conflict. The people protest his crowning, and his father dies so he is raised by Merlin instead. Additionally, Arthur does not have royal blood, so his trials to gain control are even greater. To gain control, Arthur must defeat a group of evil groups in a bloody set of twelve battles. Only after he destroys the evil that threatens England do the people “know thee for my king” (Lord Tennyson). While the Medieval story has Arthur be an above average king whose problems are normal for those in power, the Renaissance retelling has Arthur fight his way through evil in a set of wars that