Arthurian, Germanic & Scandinavian

Legends and Folklore

Asgard – Heaven

Midgard – Earth

Yggdrasil – World Tree

Viking Maps

Celtic

WelshSaxon

Briton

Norse mythology was developed thousands of years ago and comes from the northern most part of Europe (Germany), Scandinavia: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Greenland.

The Norse people lived from about A.D. 200 to 500 in northern Europe and Scandinavia. After A.D. 700, some of the Norse began migration in search of new lands, settling in parts of the British Isles, Iceland, Greenland and East into Russia. From this period on, the Norse are known as Vikings.

The mythology of this region is grim, shadowed by long, sunless winters. But the darkness is laced with gleams of grandeur and sparks of humor. The myths depict a universe in which gods and giants battle among themselves in a cosmic conflict fated to end in the destruction of the world. (Ragnarok)

In the Old Norse worldview, the gods were actors on the stage of life, not all-powerful directors. Possibly the strongest evidence for the Norse gods not controlling life is the fact that they themselves could die. Norse Myths differ from other mythology, in that their characters and world, even in Asgard (Heaven), are grave and solemn. This may all be due to the fact, even though the gods are immortal, they will be destroyed in the final battle between good and evil.

One of the major differences between Greek Mythology and Norse Mythology is that in Greek Mythology there is no apocalypse (Ragnarok) - no end of the world. The gods will always be on Mount Olympus, ruling over the earth. Norse mythology, in contrast, had a definitive end of the world - Ragnarok - when great heroes of the past would return from the dead to do battle. During Ragnarok, it was said that the gods were fated to die - many of the "top" gods would die in battle with the greatest enemies and creatures of Norse Mythology.

Norse Myth VS. Greek Myth

Another major difference between Norse mythology and Greek mythology are both cultures views of the after life and what happens there. In Greek mythology there is one allotted place for people to go after death and once they are there they stay there for all eternity. In Norse mythology there are four different places for the dead: Folkvang, Valhalla, Helheim, and Ran's hall or the halls of Ran.

Valhalla Helheim Ran's Hall

Ragnarok (Armageddon) The twilight of the gods and end of the earth began when Lokiused trickery to kill Balder, whose death was a sign that the orderly universe was falling apart. The gods chained Loki to a rock, but eventually he will break loose and lead the giants in a last bitter battle against the gods and the greatest heroes from Valhalla.

The bridge Bifrost will shatter, cutting Midgard off from Asgard, and all monsters will run free. Fenrir will kill Odin, while Thor will perish in the process of slaying the serpent Jormungard. In the end, all worlds will be consumed by fire and flood. One man and one woman will survive, sheltering in the World Tree Yggdrasill, to become the parents of a new human race.

Norse Sagas contain Norse and Germanic stories of Creation and Ragnarök, as well as the VölsungaSaga (The Norse story of Sigurd and Brynhild and the destruction of the Burgundians) and the The Song of the Nibelungs (Similar to the Völsunga Saga but the Germanic Version of Siegfried/ Sigurd the Dragon Slayer) The word "saga", probably mean "What is told". Norse sagas are similar to epics, but usually refer to works compiled during medieval Iceland. Saga is usually a narrative, either in poems or prose, dealing with historical, legendary and mythical subjects, written in Old Norse, during the 13th-14th century.

Heroic Sagas concentrated mainly on the Cycle of the Ring or the Nibelung Cycle, with such heroes as Sigurd/Siegfried. As for the modern usage of the word "saga", the term is much more confusing, and no longer confine to Iceland or Scandinavian countries. These days, sagas can mean any long novel in modern literature, usually written in the narrative form.

The most important Norse myth is the Volsunga Saga, written around1300 and set in Hylestad & Setesdal, Norway. The Norse version of the German epic the Nibelungenlied, tells the folk legend of Sigurd(Siegfried), a hero who uses a magic sword called Balmung (Gram) to slay the dragon Fafnir. The Vikings prized their swords above all other things, handing them down from generation to generation and giving them names. The value of the blade was not only determined by its quality but also by how many battles that it was used in.

Sigurd (Siegfried) also acquires the Magical Ring of Andvari, awakens a sleeping beauty (the Valkyrie* Brunhilde), and in the end, bravely meets his Destiny. Fafnir’s treasure and the magic ring become a few of the factors that lead to Sigurd's downfall. Both of these stories (the Norse Volsunga Saga and German epic the Nibelungenlied) depict the tales of might achievements of men and women from some of Iceland's and Germany's great families as they wrestle for political power, engage in blood feuds, and carry out raids and battles.

In both of these texts we see that women are portrayed on one level as warriors. Brunhilde is a perfect example of this, as she has miraculous strength and tremendous abilities. We also see the clash between the Pagan and the Christian in both version of the legend. These sagas also share a variety of common elements: victory and vengeance, honor and glory, blood and guts, feuds and battles, swords and sorcery, and warriors and poets. Like the story of Beowulf, another Germanic hero, Sigurd triumphs over the forces of evil and chaos by slaying the monster Fafnir.

When studying English literature, we find that works of Old English such as Beowulf are the foundation for Germanic, Scandinavian and British myths. Beowulf details both historical and legendary events in Denmark and other northern locales. It preserves alternate versions of famous legends, including that of the great dragon-slayer Sigurd/Siegfried.

Many scenes from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit come straight from Norse mythology. Writer, J.R.R. Tolkien was an expert on Old English and Old Norse literature, and his essay on Beowulf influenced the way we study it to this day. Tolkien’s books of fantasy fiction (especially The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings) are full of references to and retellings of Norse myth. How many people watching the Peter Jackson films understand these allusions? Many ideas from Norse mythology (magical runic inscriptions, mystical swords, wandering wizards) have simply become part of the fantasy genre, and their connection to Norse myth goes unnoticed by many people.

1. Myth: a traditional story that is rooted in a particular culture, is basically religious, and usually explains a belief, a ritual, or a mysterious natural phenomenon.

2. Epic: a long story usually told in poetic verse, which relates the great deeds of a larger than life hero who embodies the values of a particular society.

3. Epic Hero: The larger than life hero of the epic who embodies the values of a particular society. Most epic heroes undertake some sort of quest to achieve something of tremendous value to themselves or their people. Contemporary epic heroes can include heroes from video games such as Link from The Legend of Zelda or Ant-hero Kratos: God of War.

TERMS TO KNOW

4. Alter Ego: a reflection of a hero’s best and worst qualities. In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus’s enemy, Poseidon God of the Sea shares a lot of Odysseus’s short comings such as arrogance.

5. Internal Conflict: when a character struggles with a problem within them such as a character flaw or guilt. A person who is addicted to gambling would have an internal conflict.

6. External Conflict: when a character struggles with a problem caused by some outside force. This could be an enemy, a monster, nature, or society.

TERMS TO KNOW (Cont’)

AsgardAsgard contains information of Norse and Teutonic deities, including the Aesir and Vanir, giants and monsters. Asgard was one of the Nine Worlds created by Odin and his brothers, and it was the name of the home of Aesir gods and goddesses. Dozen or more palaces or halls were built within Asgard belonging to the gods, with Odin residing in great hall called Valaskjalf. Valhalla was another great hall belonging to Odin. There was a great wall around Asgard with only one entrance, known as Bifrost or "Rainbow Bridge", which was guarded by the god Heimdall.

Valhalla contains information of Norse andGerman characters, particular heroes andheroines, rulers and dwarfs. Valhalla was agreat hall belonging to Odin, in Asgard, whereheroes who had fallen in battle or some greatadventure, wait for coming of the Ragnarök.Only those who had shown great courage andskill in battles or adventures were ever chosen.

Valhalla

Valkyries and Valhalla Valkyries are female spirit

warriors that ride the battlefields and find worthy slain warriors and takes them to Valhalla where they will train until Ragnarok.

The northern lights are light shining off of their shields

Valhalla is the Hall of the Slain. It exists in Asgard, home of the gods

Odin

Odin is the Father of all Gods and men. He can travel to any realm within the 9 Nordic worlds. He is a God of magic, wisdom, wit, and learning. In later times, he was associated with war and bloodshed from the Viking perspective, although in earlier times, no such association was present. All of his actions are related to knowledge, wisdom, and the dissemination of ideas and concepts to help Mankind.

Thor Thor, is known as the

Thunderer and was considered to be a son of Odin by some, but among many tribes Thor actually supplanted Odin as the favorite god. He is considered to be the protector of all Midgard (The Human World), and he wields the mighty hammer Mjollnir. Thor is strength personified. His hammer Mjollnir causes the lightning that flashes across the sky. Of all the deities, Thor is the most "barbarian" of the lot; rugged, powerful, and lives by his own rules.

Baldur

Primarily known for his death and resurrection Baldur, Odin's son, is the god of Love and

Light. He is killed by his blind brother Hodurwhose hand was guided by the crafty Loki. Baldur's death is a sign that Ragnarök will begin.

Loki Loki, the Trickster,

challenges the structure and order of the Gods, but is necessary in bringing about needed change. He is also known as the god of Fire.He is of the race of Ettins (Elementals) and thus possesses some daemonic qualities.

Freyja Freya is considered to be the

goddess of Love and Beauty, but is also a warrior goddess and one of great wisdom and magick. She and her twin brother Freyr are of a different "race" of gods known as the Vanir. She is known as Queen of the Valkyries, choosers of those slain in battle to bear them to Valhalla (the Norse heaven). There seems to be some confusion between herself and Frigga, Odin's wife, as they share similar functions; but Frickaseems to be strictly of the Aesir, while Freya is of the Vanic race.

Freyr Freyr is Freya's

twin brother. He is the horned God of fertility and success. He is also known the Elf King. The Boar is his sacred symbol, which is both associated with war and with fertility. His golden boar, is supposed to represent the daybreak.

Frigga Frigga, Odin's wife,

was considered to be the Mother of all creation; and protectoress of children. She spins gas and dust clouds from her sacred bejeweled distaff of life in the Norse constellations (Orion Nebula) and is said to know the future, although she will not speak of it.

Tyr Tyr is the ancient

god of War and the Lawgiver of the gods. Tyr is excellent in all manners of Justice, fair play, and Right Action.

Heimdall

Heimdall is the handsome gold-toothed guardian of Bifrost, the rainbow bridge leading to Asgard, the home of the Gods. The rainbow bridge seems to be a common symbol in many religious traditions. It is often seen as a bridge between the Gods and Mankind. It is Heimdallwho is to sound the signal horn to the Aesirthat Ragnarok, the great destruction (or transformation?) is beginning.

Hel

Daughter of Loki

Giantess

Goddess of death and the devil who rules over Helheim, the underworld.

Half black/ half white

Her face and body are human but the legs are of a corpse

Spread the plague with a rake or a broom

More Children of Loki Midgard Serpent and Fenrir the Wolf

Yggdrasill –This item is isthe World Tree. It stands over the nine worlds and its three roots reach into three of the lands.

The cosmology of Norse mythology has "nine homeworlds", unified by the worldtree Yggdrasill.

The Man, the Myth, the Archetype

Arthurian Legend

Legend

a traditional historical tale or collection of related Tales popularly regarded as true, but usually contain amixture of fact and fiction not to be confused with amyth. A traditional, typically ancient story dealingwith supernatural beings, ancestors, or heroes thatserves as a fundamental type in the worldview of apeople, as by explaining aspects of the natural worldor delineating the psychology, customs, or ideals ofsociety)

Literary Focus: Archetypes

An archetype is a pattern that appears in literature across cultures and is repeated through the ages.

An archetype can be a character, a plot, an image, or a setting. Circle of Character Archetypes

Why is Arthur Important?

1. Provided a hero to a conquered people.

2. Second most referenced character in Western Literature.

King Arthur, c. 1385

Did He Exist?

Historical Arthur

Celtic/Anglo-Saxon Arthur

Welsh chieftain

warrior in the histories of 500-1100

may have really existed –not a king

Fictional Arthur

Anglo-Norman Arthur

could just be a combination of great leaders

Normans add chivalry, romance, quest, love, etc.

Norman romances focus more on knights.

True History

Most scholars believe that a King named Arthur did defeat the Saxons in the 5th or 6th century. This is outlined in one of the oldest accounts of English History Geoffrey of Monmouth's fanciful and imaginative 12th-century Historia Regum Britanniae

There are ruins of a castle in Cornwall that many believe to belong to Arthur

Not much else is known; accounts of Arthur seem to be mysteriously missing from all Anglo-Saxon chronicles and other such history books.

Le Morte d'Arthur is a compilation by Sir Thomas Malory of traditional tales about the legendary King Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot,and the Knights of the Round Table

Arthurian Literary Tradition

Sir Thomas Malory

– 15th century

– English

– compiled the various tales into one work: Le Mort d’Arthur The Death of Arthur

– expands the characters of Lancelot and Guinevere and makes the affair chaste and pure

– still read today and highly influential

Cover, The Once and Future King

Arthurian Literary Tradition

T. H. White– 20th century

– English

– wrote The Sword in the Stone (1938) and The Once and Future King (1958)

– based heavily on Malory’s work

– The Once and Future King deals with darker themes as Arthur grows older

Key Themes/Archetypes

Love Triangle– Arthur / Guinevere /

Lancelot

Traitor/Judas FigureMordredLancelot

Fall of the central community / end of order

Messianic Return– Once and Future King

Love Triangle

Key Themes/Archetypes

Grail– Cup that Jesus drank out

of at the Last Supper– Joseph of Arimithea

brought grail to England– “quest” which requires

much of the individual– Grail represents

unanswered philosophical/ cosmological questions

– only artifact not recovered which explains its continued popularity

Key Objects

Excalibur – Arthur’s magical sword; given to him by theLady of the Lake

The Holy Grail – the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper; used by Joseph of Arimatheato catch Christ’s blood

The Round Table – the table given as part of Guinevere’s dowry; the idea that everyone is equal

Arthur and the Round Table

Excalibur

• The Lady of the Lake – aka Vivienne; Mended Excalibur and gave it to Arthur; enchanted & imprisoned Merlin.

• Joseph of Arimathea – soldier of Pontius Pilate who was given the cup (Holy Grail) from the Last Supper; settled in Glastonbury.

Key Characters

Uther Pendragon –Arthur’s biological father

Igraine – Arthur’s biological mother

Sir Ector – Arthur’s adoptive father

Merlin – Arthur’s counselor, prophet & wizard

Key Characters

Morgan le Fay –Arthur’s half-sister; magical; adversary

Sir Kay – son of Sir Ector; Arthur’s step-brother

Mordred – Arthur’s nephew; kidnaps Guinevere and rebels; killed by Lancelot

Humble Beginnings

• Arthur is the son of King UtherPendragon, but is orphaned at a young age, unaware of his royal heritage

• Upon King Uther’s death, Merlin places the sword Excalibur (a magical sword given to Merlin by the Lady of the Lake) in a stone containing a spell that only the rightful king could remove it from the stone

• In need of a sword for his adoptive brother, Arthur pulls Excalibur from the stone, proving himself the rightful king of England

What do we know about Arthur?

- King Arthur brought peace to Britain.

- King Arthur made his capital in Camelot.

- King Arthur married Lady Guinevere

- King Arthur’s knights were called The Knights of the Round Table

• When Arthur assumes power, England is torn apart by war, is fractioned into city-states, and is on the brink of invasion by the Saxons

• To unite the country and defeat the Saxons, Arthur creates the Knights of the Round table. This is a revolutionary idea for the time in which each city state is represented by a knight. No one knight, including King Arthur himself, has more power than another. Arthur creates a democratic society.

• Because of this alliance, Arthur and his knights defeat the powerful Saxons in a series of 12 battles. It is said that the key to Arthur’s success is the sword Excalibur which he always takes into battle. Excalibur is said to make its bearer invincible.

The Knights1. King Arthur

2. Sir Lancelot

3. Sir Gawain

4. Sir Geraint

5. Sir Gareth

6. Sir Gaheris

7. Sir Bedivere

8. Sir Kay

9. Sir Galahad

10. Sir Bors de Ganis

11. Sir Lamorak

12. Sir Tristan

13. Sir Percivale

Morgan de Fey and Mordred

Arthur unknowingly had a half sister, Morgan de Fey. She believed that she was rightful ruler. In an attempts to usurp the throne, she slept with him and conceived a son. Morgan was said to be a witch and a powerful woman. Her son, Mordred, threatened Arthur’s marriage and his throne.

A Country Religiously Divided

• Arthur was a member of the Old Celtic religion (as evident by keeping a Royal wizard, Merlin)

• However, a new religion, Christianity, was beginning. Guinevere, Arthur’s wife, was a member of this religion.

• Arthur and Guinevere were having trouble conceiving. Guinevere believed this was because God was punishing Arthur for believing in pagan gods and encouraging his people to do so as well.

• To try to remedy the problem of an heir and heal the country, which had once again grown restless, Arthur established the Crusades.

Crusades & the Holy Grail

• Because the Celtic religion is based upon tangible items and nature, Arthur would need artifacts to convince his country to convert to Christianity.

• With the help of Merlin, Arthur decided to send his knights on a quest for religious artifacts, more commonly know as the Crusades.

– The body of Joseph of Arimathea– The Spear of Destiny– The Holy Grail– King Solomon’s Temple– Byzantine Crown of Thorns– Holy Rood

The Holy Grail and The Templars

• The Holy Grail is the only artifact not recovered which explains its continued popularity

• Once the Holy Land was discovered, Arthur encouraged the English to visit it and created the Knights Templar who were warriors sent to protect the road to the Holy Land. These warriors begin much of the problems that still exist in the Middle East today.

Trouble At Home• During the search for the Holy

Grail Arthur’s life begins to fall apart. Some versions of the story have Arthur gone 10-20 years on his quest.

• During this time, Merlin is seduced by a young woman who steals his powers and imprisons him. Arthur is left without an advisor.

• In Arthur’s absence Mordredhas been raised to hate Arthur and upon his return, Arthur unknowingly knights his own son and invites him to the round table.

• Guinevere has begun to realize her true love for Lancelot, not Arthur, during both their absences.

More Key Characters

Guinevere –– Arthur’s Queen

– has affair with Lancelot

– childless

– abducted by Mordred

Lancelot –– Arthur’s chief knight

– usually French

– the “perfect” knight but has affair with Guinevere

The Most Famous Affair in Literary History

• Mordred sees the possibility to overthrow his father in Lancelot.

• Mordred discovers Guinevere and Lancelot’s affair (the two people that Arthur loves most) and convinces the rest of the Round Table to capture Lancelot in the act.

• Lancelot escapes but Guinevere is captured and is to be burned at the stake for her treachery against the king. She is rescued at the last minute by Lancelot and the two escape and are never heard from again.

• Arthur does not follow them due to the problems of his kingdom. They are once again on the brink of war and Mordredhas turned much of the Round Table against him.

Key Places

Camelot – King Arthur’s kingdom

Isle of Avalon – island to which Arthur is sent to recover from the last battle

The Fall of Camelot• Metaphorically, the country already

had fallen with the betrayal of Arthur’s only love and his best friend

• There are many versions of the story. All of which end with Arthur’s death in battle. Some of the versions include the following battles:

– Saxons– Romans– Goths– French – Irish– Lancelot– Morgan de fey– Mordred

• All of the stories end with Arthur’s glorious death in battle, all that any legendary king or hero can ask for

Romance Motifs

Motif - an idea, object, place, or statement that appears frequently throughout a piece of writing, which helps contribute to the work’s overall theme

Faithful Follower

Wise old man

Dreams

Number three

Magic

Testing of Follower

Betrayal

All of the Knights of the Round Table are required to maintain:

1. Faith

2. Honor

3. Courtesy

4. Loyalty

5. Bravery

6. Modesty

It is a collection of

codes and rules for

the knights

"Code of

Chivalry“

Live to serve King and Country

Live for freedom, justice and all that is good

Protect the week and innocent

Fight for the ideals of king, country, and chivalry

Be loyal to country, King, honor, freedom, and the Code of Chivalry

"Code of

Chivalry"Invincible

strength

Valor

Justice

Modesty

Loyalty to superiors

Courtesy to equals

Compassion to weakness

Devotedness to the church