3/03 HANDOUT: ENGLISH 4: ARTHUR & MEDIEVAL ROMANCES
I.
A Legend Reborn (160)

While he was imprisoned during the War of the Roses, Sir Thomas Malory not only drew upon the
existing legends about King Arthur and his knights, but he forged (created) the Arthurian legends
into a visionary cycle of bold __________________________, spiritual _____________________,
and heart-rending _________________________________.

Morte d’Arthur was given its name not by Malory but by William ___________________________,
the man who established the first printing press in England.
II.
Medieval Romances

Read the paragraph about the medieval romance genre on page 161. Then turn to page 185.

Fill in the blanks for the definition of medieval romance on page 185.
o Medieval romances are ________________________________ featuring
_____________________________________, ____________________, the
___________________________________________, and the ideals of
___________________________________.

What is a narrative? ____________________________________

What is the supernatural? ______________________________________

What is chivalry? Chivalry was a medieval code of conduct that all knights were
expected to follow: honor, courtesy, selflessness, loyalty to king, protection of the
weak. Today, chivalry—when thought of at all—is thought to be a display of good
manners, particularly by men toward women.
III.
Legends

Read the paragraph about Comparing Literary Works on page 161. Then turn to page 185.

A legend is a __________________________________ story telling of _______________________
figures or _________________________, which may or may not be based on __________________
(185).
IV.
Summarizing Excerpt from Morte d’Arthur

Dream 1: Arthur on the Wheel of Fortune. Foreshadows………………………..

Dream 2: Sir Gawain’s Message. Foreshadows…………………………..

How does fate / destiny seem to play a role in this narrative? (178-179)

How could Arthur have avoided having this day be his death day? (179)

What emphasizes the extreme loyalty of Sir Lucan to King Arthur? (181)

What request does the dying King Arthur make of Sir Bedivere—three times? (182)

Why doesn’t Bedivere follow his king’s orders the first two times? (182)

What happens when Bedivere does follow Arthur’s instructions the third time? (182)

Why is this considered an example of the supernatural?

Whom does Bedivere meet in the woods after the mysterious ladies in the boat sail away with
Arthur? (183)
V.

What previous important job did this hermit used to have? (183)

What do men say is written upon King Arthur’s tomb? (184)
Glastonbury Abbey

http://www.glastonburyabbey.com/arthur.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrAJYI-NmDg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcdMm-dRBr8