King Arthur: Fact and Fiction
Huzzah! Welcome doughty knights, gracious ladies, and pious pilgrims! You have received a challenge to a quest, to pursue the truth of King Arthur and the legend that has permeated our culture through the centuries. Through this WebQuest you will investigate questions about the origins of the King Arthur myth and the writers that made it happen. Just click on the links provided, browse around on the website, and answer the questions on a sheet of paper. Now, come to Camelot to begin this perilous quest, in which you will complete a series of tasks!
Task the First: The Origins of King Arthur - Was He Real?
http://www.arthurian-legend.com/more-about/more-about-arthur-1.php
1) When did the historical King Arthur figure live?
2) Write a few sentences comparing the Welsh King Arthur and Geoffrey of Monmouth's King Arthur. Were they the same person?
http://www.history.co.uk/shows/king-arthurs-round-table-revealed/articles/the-real-king-arthur
3) According to history, did King Arthur as we know him ever really exist?
4) What do you think?
1) When did the historical King Arthur figure live?
2) Write a few sentences comparing the Welsh King Arthur and Geoffrey of Monmouth's King Arthur. Were they the same person?
http://www.history.co.uk/shows/king-arthurs-round-table-revealed/articles/the-real-king-arthur
3) According to history, did King Arthur as we know him ever really exist?
4) What do you think?
Task the Second: The Knights of the Round Table
http://www.kingarthursknights.com/knights/default.asp
6) Read the charge given to the knights by Arthur. What kinds of qualities does Arthur and his court value?
7) Click on some of the icons for the knights of the round table at the top of the page. Choose one that appeals to you most. Why do you find him interesting? What makes him a good knight of the round table?
6) Read the charge given to the knights by Arthur. What kinds of qualities does Arthur and his court value?
7) Click on some of the icons for the knights of the round table at the top of the page. Choose one that appeals to you most. Why do you find him interesting? What makes him a good knight of the round table?
Task the Third: Symbolism in the Legend of King Arthur
http://www.lib.rochester.edu/CAMELOT/mainmenu.htm
8) On this site (The Camelot Project) scroll down to where you see the section on symbols and motifs in Arthurian Legend. Choose EITHER the Holy Grail, the Round Table, or the Questing Beast. On your paper, write a paragraph (5-7 sentences) summarizing the significance of this particular symbol in Arthurian legend and detailing what you know about this symbol from your own personal studies/knowledge. Who has used this symbol in writing about King Arthur? Why do you think he chose to use this symbol?
8) On this site (The Camelot Project) scroll down to where you see the section on symbols and motifs in Arthurian Legend. Choose EITHER the Holy Grail, the Round Table, or the Questing Beast. On your paper, write a paragraph (5-7 sentences) summarizing the significance of this particular symbol in Arthurian legend and detailing what you know about this symbol from your own personal studies/knowledge. Who has used this symbol in writing about King Arthur? Why do you think he chose to use this symbol?
Task the Last: King Arthur in Literature
The following are some writers who, throughout the ages, have contributed significantly to the body of literature based on the King Arthur legend. Their stories have done a lot to shape how we think about King Arthur today! Choose TWO of the following to explore in-depth. On your paper, write a paragraph about each writer, addressing the following questions:
Geoffrey of Monmouth:
http://www.britannia.com/history/arthur/geofmon.html
http://www.arthurian-legend.com/more-about/more-about-arthur-1.php
Sir Thomas Malory:
http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/malorybio.htm
Alfred, Lord Tennyson:
His life: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred%2C_Lord_Tennyson
Poem #1: http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/atennyson/bl-aten-morte.htm
Poem #2: http://www.pathguy.com/shalott.htm
Mark Twain:
http://etext.virginia.edu/railton/yankee/cyhompg.html
- Who was the writer? In what time period did he live?
- What is his main literary work that uses the King Arthur Legend?
- How does he portray King Arthur and his court in his writing? (give examples)
- Why do you think that this writer chose to portray King Arthur and his court in this way?
Geoffrey of Monmouth:
http://www.britannia.com/history/arthur/geofmon.html
http://www.arthurian-legend.com/more-about/more-about-arthur-1.php
Sir Thomas Malory:
http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/malorybio.htm
Alfred, Lord Tennyson:
His life: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred%2C_Lord_Tennyson
Poem #1: http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/atennyson/bl-aten-morte.htm
Poem #2: http://www.pathguy.com/shalott.htm
Mark Twain:
http://etext.virginia.edu/railton/yankee/cyhompg.html