Individual work

Theme : King Arthur ,History

and Lengend
Developed: Chira Eugenia , student of the
faculty of philology, gr. 302 B

Chişinău , 2020
 Biography
King Arthur is a legendary British king
representing the knightly ideal, both in war
and in peace. Over time, the popularity of
stories about King Arthur grew, beyond the
borders of Great Britain. In Europe and
America in particular, many other legends,
stories, books and movies have appeared
that magnify the fictional universe of these
legends.
The origin of the Welsh name "Arthur" remains a matter of debate. The most accepted
etymology derives it from the Roman nomenclature (surname) Artorius. Artorius
himself has an obscure and contested etymology, but possibly of Mesapian or Etruscan
origin. Linguist Stephan Zimmer suggests that Artorius may have a Celtic origin, being
a Latinization of a hypothetical name * Artorījos, in turn, derived from an older
patronymic * Arto-rīg-ios, meaning "son of the bear / warrior-king" . This patronymic is
untested, but the root, * arto-rīg, "bear king / warrior", is the source of the old Irish
personal name Artrí. Some researchers have suggested that it is relevant to this debate
that the name of the legendary King Arthur appears only as Arthur or Arturus in early
Latin Arthurian texts, never as Artōrius (although classical Latin Artōrius became
Arturius in some vulgar Latin dialects).
Arthur's low historical background is
obtained from various sources,
including the Annales Cambriae, the
Historia Brittonum, and the writings of
Gildas. Arthur's name also appears in
early poetic sources such as Y
Gododdin.

Arthur is a central figure in the

legends that make up the Matter of
Great Britain. The legendary Arthur
developed as a figure of international
interest largely through the fanciful
and imaginative popularity of
Geoffrey de Monmouth, the 12th
century Historia Regum Britanniae
(History of the Kings of Britain).
Literary context
The historical basis of King Arthur has long been debated by scholars. A school of
thought, citing entries in the Historia Brittonum (History of the British) and Annales Cambriae
(The Welsh Annals), sees Arthur as an authentic historical figure, a Roman-British leader who
fought the invading Anglo-Saxons for some time in late 5th to early 6th century.
Historia Brittonum, a 9th Latin historical compilation attributed in some late manuscripts
to a Welsh cleric named Nennius, contains the first datable mention of King Arthur, listing
twelve battles that Arthur attempted. They culminate in the battle of Badon, where he is said to
have killed 960 men alone. However, recent studies question the reliability of Historia
Brittonum. The other text that seems to support the case of Arthur's historical existence is
Annales Cambriae, from the 10th century, which also links Arthur to the battle of Badon. De
Annales dates this battle to 516-518, and also mentions the Battle of Camlann, in which Arthur
and Medraut (Mordred) were both killed, dated 537-539. These details were often used to build
confidence in the Historia account and to confirm that Arthur had really fought at Badon.
Literary work
The Arthurian legend begins with
the Welsh cleric Geoffrey of
Monmouth (c. 1100 - c. 1155 CE).
Earlier history writers such as  history of the Kings of Britain, and in my
Gildas, Bede, and Nennius had
already established the existence of
a British war-chief who defeated
the Saxons at Badon Hill long
before Geoffrey wrote his own
account but none of them would
imagine the king so brilliantly or
choose to develop history into
legend. In the beginning of
his History of the Kings of
Britain (1136 CE) he explains how
he came to write the work:
“Oftentimes, in turning over in mine own
mind the many themes that might be
subject-matter of a book, my thoughts
would fall upon the plan of writing a
musings thereupon meseemed it a marvel
that, beyond such mention as Gildas and
Bede have made of them in the luminous
tractate, nought could I find as
concerning the kings that had dwelt in
Britain before the Incarnation of Christ
nor nought even as concerning Arthur
and the many others that did succeed him
after the Incarnation, albeit that their
deeds be worthy of praise everlasting and
be as pleasantly rehearsed from memory
by word of mouth in the traditions of
many peoples as though they were written
down. (3)”
Early Welsh literature quickly made
Arthur a king of wonders and wonders.
Twelfth-century Romanticism Culhwch
and Olwen associated it with other
heroes, and this conception of a heroic
troupe led by Arthur undoubtedly led to
the idea of Arthur's court.
King Arthur is among the most famous literary characters of all
time. The Arthurian legend of the Knights of the Round Table,
Camelot, the Quest for the Holy Grail, the love affair of 
Lancelot and Guinevere, and the wizard Merlin have informed
and inspired literary, musical, and other major artistic visions for
centuries. There have been countless books, major films, operas,
television shows, games, toys, plays, and graphic novels either
re-telling or inspired by the Arthurian legend which developed
in Europe between 1136-1485 CE, was revived in the 19th
century CE, and remains popular in the present day.
 Genre of literary work,
themes;
Themes addressed in the legend of King Arthur are
trust, friendship, betrayal, deception,etc.
The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore
and literary invention, and modern historians generally agree
that he is unhistorical.The sparse historical background of
Arthur is gleaned from various sources, including the
Annales Cambriae, the Historia Brittonum, and the writings
of Gildas.
Characters
The 12th-century French writer Chrétien de Troyes, who
added Lancelot and the Holy Grail to the story, began the
genre of Arthurian romance that became a significant
strand of medieval literature. In these French stories, the
narrative focus often shifts from King Arthur himself to
other characters, such as various Knights of the Round
Table. Arthurian literature thrived during the Middle
Ages but waned in the centuries that followed until it
experienced a major resurgence in the 19th century. In
the 21st century, the legend lives on, not only in literature
but also in adaptations for theatre, film, television, comics
and other media.
 Plot
In a literary sense, plot refers to a series of causally-related events that
revolve around a central problem, rise to a climax, and ultimately come
to a resolution. Roger Lancelyn Green followed this classical plot
structure in his version of the legend of King Arthur, while also ensuring
that it maintained its traditional connections to the Bible.
Climax
Enter Sir Galahad, the “holy knight of Logres.” As
explained in the character sketches, he is a Messianic figure.
Like Christ, he is the only one who can “drink the cup” of the
Holy Grail and heal the sinful effects of the dolorous stroke.
His life’s purpose is accomplished at the conclusion of the
quest, which is the climax, and so he dies and goes to
Heaven.
It should be noted that Galahad OBJECTIVELY defeats sin,
but he cannot SUBJECTIVELY defeat it for everyone
else. Through him, it is possible for Logres to once again be
a Realm of Righteousness, but it is up to each individual to
make it that way.
Arthur, sometimes known as "the king
who was and will be the king", is
recognized worldwide as one of the
most famous characters in myth and
legend. However, if he did not exist at
all (about which few scholars agree),
he would not have been a king, but the
commander of an elite force of fighting
men. Moreover, he is said to have lived
for more than 500 years, according to
medieval legends.