Medieval Narrative: King Arthur and his Court
4 credit hours
Time: MW 1:00 – 2:15
MEETS WITH CMLT C417

Stories about King Arthur and his court represent one of the richest
traditions in literature, one that crosses boundaries of historical
period, language, literary genre, and artistic medium.  Though we
may read Arthurian narratives without understanding the
mythological, literary, and political forces that shaped them, our
appreciation of these works deepens when we recognize the threads
they borrow from the past and weave into new texts that address new
issues.

This course will trace the development of Arthurian literature from
its Celtic roots through its development in medieval European
literature and its reappearance in later literature and film.
Readings for the course will be in modern English and will include
Welsh tales such as "Branwyn, Daughter of Lyr" and "How Culhwch Won
Olwen," selections from Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings
of Britain, Chrétien de Troyes' Knight of the Cart, Wolfram von
Eschenbach's Parzival, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Sir
Thomas Malory's Morte D'Arthur. In addition,  we will explore the
ways in which three modern films adapt Arthurian tradition to their
own uses: Excalibur, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and The Fisher
King.


Written requirements:
Students will write one critical essay (6-8 pages) on a topic
related to the class readings, one hour test, and a final exam.