“Stories and legends of a hero-warrior named Arthur who defended Britain against the Saxon invaders had been around since the 5th century. It was in the 12th century however that Geoffrey of Monmouth’s work, The History of the Kings of Britain (c. 1137) gave the Arthurian legend popularity and made it grow. From that moment on, tales relating to the figure of King Arthur began to flourish. The legend became adorned, embellished, extended and modified by different writers and in many different languages. The setting of the tales was also moved from the more primitive 5th century to the more romantic period of medieval times with its knights, their shining armours and their ideals of courtly love.”
CAMELOT
In this series, CAMELOT (2011), they investigate how the legend may have come to be. They imagine young Arthur, just in his teens, torn away from his comfortable environment and from his foster parents by Merlin. He is suddenly thrown into the middle of a violent world in which he has to survive and to become a man and a king.
None of the characters is the mythical figure of the tradition. They are complex, conflicting human beings, totally different from their iconic counterparts.
Here’s how they imagine the first encounter between Merlin and Arthur. Watch the first 15 minutes and answer the questions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oba0PnwakQ
1. How does young Arthur react to Merlin’s arrival?
2. What does Merlin reveal him?
3. Did Arthur’s parents know ? And what about Kay, Arthur’s brother? Did he know?
4. Is Arthur happy of discovering about his origins?
5. What do he and Kay discuss about when they are alone?

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