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What are King Arthur's heroic traits?
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King Arthur is celebrated for his heroic traits such as faith in God, honor, courage, loyalty, and a commitment to defending the vulnerable. He embodies the chivalric code, which emphasizes ethical behavior and Christian virtues. Arthur's charisma and humility made him a symbol for knights to emulate. Despite his greatness, he was human, with flaws like stubbornness and jealousy. His story, deeply intertwined with Christian themes, continues to inspire as a model of chivalry and leadership.
All cultures have a mythology. For the English, the Arthurian legend, with its wonderful characters and stories, serves that purpose. King Arthur, who may have been an actual fifth century king, ruled over a medieval land that still had barbaric tendencies. The caste system still functioned with no middle class: there were the nobility and the poor.
The Arthurian legend as recognized today began with a twelfth century French poet Christian de Troyes. It was his influence which brought the romantic elements to the legend. From his literary treatments, the King Arthur legend that is known today issued.
De Troyes romantic literature included heroic prose and poetry and introduced the chivalric code which guided the behavior of Arthur and his knights. Many other writers have contributed to the legend from Sir Thomas Mallory to the great American writer, John Steinbeck. Each writer added his own flavor to the story.
Arthur...
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was born illegitimately to Uther Pendragon and married Queen, Igraine. Merlin, the wizard, actually raised Arthur by placing him in the care of Sir Ector and his son Sir Kay. Merlin instilled in Arthur many qualities that he carried into his reign and rule over the Knights of the Round Table.
Arthur along with Merlin and some of the knights developed the chivalric code which served as a code of ethics. From this code, the knights knew the proper behavior which placed God at the forefront of their beliefs.
Christianity also played a role in the stories about Arthur. Some commentators have compared Arthur, a good man who was betrayed by those closest to him, to Jesus, who was betrayed by his trusted disciple Judas. In time, Arthur's story could be interpreted as a tale of Christian virtues and vices.
The character of King Arthur stood as a symbol for the other knights to emulate. Arthur was human and thus not perfect. His value system spoke to his love of God and the land. The qualities attributed to Arthur were important in all of the legends that followed and the knights that were from his Round table. Arthur promoted and lived by these qualities:
- Faith in God
- Honor
- Courage
- Loyalty
- Depend women, the poor, the weak, and children
- Work to better than world
- Charisma
- Humility
One of the best lessons that he learned from Merlin was that Might does not make Right. Though someone or some ruler may have more armies, money, or weapons, this does not make his cause the right one. Right does make might because God will support the ruler who follows the Christian way of life.
Arthur also had some qualities that were less admirable: He was said to be stubborn in his beliefs and did not like to be questioned concerning his decisions. He experienced fear, jealousy, and doubts. His great love of Guinevere is said to have led to Arthur making poor decisions once he knew that she had fallen in love with his best friend Lancelot.
According to the legend, Arthur will always personify the ideals of the chivalric code and remain a beloved and respected king. After his mortal wound by his son Mordred, Arthur is said to be in Avalon waiting until he is needed again in England.