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fandomhigh2005-11-03 09:21 pm
godinakilt.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2005-11-03 09:21 pm
Arthurian Traditions class for Thursday
The tam has disappeared from the moose and is now perched on Camulus' head. The reason is not immediately apparent.
"Feasgar math, class," Camulus says gravely, folding his hands. "Today's class, continuing to Tuesday's, will be examining the role of women in Arthurian legend, especially the character of Guinevere and the social structure of the City of Legions.
"So in our first tale, 'Culhwch and Olwen', there is only one woman, Olwen, who is not so much a character as an object to be achieved. However, the most florid piece of prose in the story, in fact the only piece of ddescription, is of her beauty. Similarily, in Geoffrey's 'A History of the Kings of Britain', Arthur's marriage to Guinevere is only of passing interest to the narrative. There is a list of various tasks he accomplished, and the mention of his marriage is tacked on to the end of that list, almost as a throwaway line.
"It is in 'La Morte d'Arthur' that we find the first real mentions of women as a driving motive for the actions of the knights. We are told that the City of Legions was divided into two courts, one of Arthur and his knights and one of Guinevere and her women. More specifically, the married women. They have seperate celebrations and feasts. However, it is for the favour of the women that the knights do their heroic deeds, for the women maintain a code of'kick three asses or no nookie' stringent trials that the knight must go through to gain favour. Thus is nobility upheld and the women kept chaste. In theory, of course. Next class we'll be talking about what happens when this system breaks down."
He taps a pile of books on his desk.
"Your homework for tonight is to find the scriptural evidence for what I've brought up, and look into further examples of the influence of women on Arthurian legend. Not that this will have anything to do with your final paper. Hint hint."
[[NaNo. Need I say more?]]
"Feasgar math, class," Camulus says gravely, folding his hands. "Today's class, continuing to Tuesday's, will be examining the role of women in Arthurian legend, especially the character of Guinevere and the social structure of the City of Legions.
"So in our first tale, 'Culhwch and Olwen', there is only one woman, Olwen, who is not so much a character as an object to be achieved. However, the most florid piece of prose in the story, in fact the only piece of ddescription, is of her beauty. Similarily, in Geoffrey's 'A History of the Kings of Britain', Arthur's marriage to Guinevere is only of passing interest to the narrative. There is a list of various tasks he accomplished, and the mention of his marriage is tacked on to the end of that list, almost as a throwaway line.
"It is in 'La Morte d'Arthur' that we find the first real mentions of women as a driving motive for the actions of the knights. We are told that the City of Legions was divided into two courts, one of Arthur and his knights and one of Guinevere and her women. More specifically, the married women. They have seperate celebrations and feasts. However, it is for the favour of the women that the knights do their heroic deeds, for the women maintain a code of
He taps a pile of books on his desk.
"Your homework for tonight is to find the scriptural evidence for what I've brought up, and look into further examples of the influence of women on Arthurian legend. Not that this will have anything to do with your final paper. Hint hint."
[[NaNo. Need I say more?]]
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