Arthurian Myth and Storytelling

Flashcards covering key concepts from Arthurian myth and storytelling.

What cultures have versions of Arthurian legend?

English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, and French.

Who was Geoffrey of Monmouth?

A medieval English chronicler and bishop who wrote 'Historia regum Britanniae'.

What was the focus of Monmouth's version of the Arthurian legend?

Expansion and outward conquest rather than internal struggles.

What is the title of Sir Thomas Malory's work?

'Le Morte d'Arthur'.

What does the chivalric code emphasize?

Loyalty to the king, courage, personal honour, and defending the defenseless.

What is courtly love?

Extramarital love defined by desire, not by marriage as the final goal.

What happens to Guinevere for her affair with Lancelot?

She is condemned to death but is saved by Lancelot.

Who is Mordred in Arthurian legend?

He is seen as Arthur's nephew or illegitimate son destined to bring ruin.

What significant battle leads to Arthur's downfall?

The Battle of Camlann.

What is Avalon in the context of Arthurian myth?

An island where Arthur was taken after being fatally wounded.

What is Excalibur?

King Arthur's sword, which he could draw from a stone.

What does the Holy Grail represent?

The best Christian possible and a mystical experience of God.

What is the hero's journey?

A process of discovery, attainment, and growth for characters, involving separation, initiation, and return.

What does 'myth' originate from and what are its meanings?

Originates from the Greek word 'mythos', meaning 'story' and 'explanation'.

What are the characteristics of a myth?

Explains phenomena, features supernatural beings, considered sacred, and set in the distant past.

What is a folktale?

A story that reveals universal truths and often depicts the triumph of good over evil.

What defines a fable?

A story with animal characters where a vice leads to the character's downfall, culminating in a moral.

What distinguishes a legend?

A historical story that may be exaggerated or have supernatural elements but focuses on an individual hero.

What are common characteristics of an epic?

It opens in the middle of the story, features vast settings, divine intervention, and includes a series of journeys.

Why study myths?

For historical interest, moral lessons, and to recognize collective unconscious archetypes.