Arthur: my copy.

I.                What are Morgaine’s motivations in the film and in the book?

Morgaine is set on preserving the old ways, which means fighting the Christians. Since Arthur has converted to the one God, she becomes his most bitter enemy. In the film, this implies that she is evil, as it is based on a Christian version of the legend. In the book, we have Morgaine’s vision, which presents her as open-minded, and the Christians as intolerant.

II.            Explain why the Quest for the Grail and how it ended.

Arthur has forsaken his throne and as he weakens, the land suffers. To atone for his sin (the incest with his half-sister), he needs the most Christian symbol possible: the Holy Grail. All his nights will die in the quest, save one: Percival (or Galahad), who will eventually find it.

III.        Explain the reasons for Lancelot’s going away and coming back.

Lancelot is guilt-ridden because of his liaison with Gwenevere, and he cannot face Arthur and the truth. But when Arthur’s end is near, he comes back to help his friend and obtain forgiveness.

IV.        Why are there so few references to Taliesin?

Taliesin is a Pagan enchanter who placed his faith in women. As the legend has been handed over the generations by Christians, who focus on the men and discard the Pagans, he cannot be a prominent character in the versions of the legend that we know.

V. In the Arthurian legend, who were:

·      Ygraine : Arthur, Morgaine and Anna’s mother. Sometimes depicted as a priestess from Avalon.

·      Gwenevere : Arthur’s wife, queen of the Summer Country. She was a Christian and converted Arthur (and England with him).

·      Viviane : the Lady of the Lake, and Lancelot’s mother. She is sometimes considered as Merlin’s paramour and some even say she is in the Tower of Air with him. There are even some accounts that she is Ygraine’s sister.

·      Anna/Morgause : younger daughter of Gorlois and Ygraine, and therefore Morgaine’s full sister. Her son, Gawain, is heir to the throne until Mordred’s birth.

V.            Name two of Arthur’s knights not related to his family.

Lancelot, Percival, Galahad, Caradoc, Tristan, Mark, Bohors, Bevedere, Agravain…

VI.        Why is the round table round?

The knights come in a circle because there is no end to a circle: everybody is equal and has an equal view of the assistance.

VII.    What does the Arthurian legend represent in History?

The legend tells about the unification of Great Britain. Many kings called on it to justify their conquests. It is also the story of how England became a Christian country. Arthur is the symbol of the English national “soul”.