Who was King Arthur? How is it that a legendary figure from such a distant time still exists today in such a vibrant manner within the collective mind? From the Middle Ages to the present day in such popular works as George RR Martin’s Game of Thrones, the myths and folklore surrounding the king have been ceaselessly renewed. Beginning with the pseudo-historical origins of Arthur and his knights in the old French literary tradition as depicted by Chrétien de Troyes and in iconic works of the matière de Bretagne, and ending with Alexandre Astier’s wildly popular television series, Kaamelott, this course will seek to shed light on the popularity and the mystery surrounding le roi Arthur. Over the course of the semester we will explore the legendary material in detail, constantly comparing and contrasting contemporary works with their Medieval forbears with the ultimate goal of understanding how these creations function within a socio-cultural framework.
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