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. Now, come to Camelot to begin this perilous quest, in which you will complete a series of tasks!
Task the First: Origins - Was King Arthur Real?The Origins of King Arthur
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? King Arthur's Round Table Revealed! 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 TableThe Knight's of the Round Table
5. Read the charge given to the knights by Arthur. What kinds of qualities do Arthur and his court value? 6. 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 ArthurThe Camelot Project
7. On this site scroll down to the section on symbols and motifs in Arthurian Legend.
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Task the Last: King Arthur in Literature8. 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:
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 |
Congratulations!
You have completed your Quest with valor, bravery, and wisdom. Upon completion, you will be knighted and given the right to design your own crest as proof of your perseverance in the face of danger!
You have completed your Quest with valor, bravery, and wisdom. Upon completion, you will be knighted and given the right to design your own crest as proof of your perseverance in the face of danger!