This course traces the origins of the historical Arthur from the early histories of Gildas, Nennius, and Geoffrey of Monmouth through the beginnings of the mythic Arthur in the Arthurian Romances of Chretien de Troyes, Marie de France, and Thomas Malory. We will look briefly at the presence of Arthur in contemporary literature as well. The course will conclude with readings and analysis of the Grail legends to gain an understanding of how a literary archetype is born. [AREA 1]
ENG 301: King Arthur in History and Myth
Class Program