The Once and Future King

“A mistake is an event, the full benefit of which we have not come to realize.” (Unknown) Something that was not initially meant to happen can shape those involved for better or for worse in the future. In The Once and Future King, the slippery trail that leads to one of King Arthur (the protagonist’s) greatest mistakes starts with a fault in someone else entirely. While Arthur is planning a wedding, Merlyn, Arthur’s teacher, remembers what he has forgotten to tell Arthur earlier. Long story…

difference is that through the retelling of these stories the events become exaggerated and the figures become larger than life. This point is no truer than in the life and lordship of Britain’s “Once and Future King,” Arthur. Of all legends, those of King Arthur stand out above the rest. The great king who led his army with a just and fair hand and ruled over a legendary utopia that lasted only as long as his rule. Many historians argue over the historicity of the character citing how there are…

“White Stag” it represent King Arthur. White is traditionally seen as a symbol of purity or goodliness. While a stag represents leadership or bravery. King Arthur is all of those things, he is a good leader to his people. Mordred’s fishermother stated ,”Thank the goodliness of our blessed King Arthur” this sentence tells us that King Arthur was appreciated by his citizens. There is another piece of evidence that supports his goodliness. Pelleas was telling Mordred about how King Arthur saved…

The book, The Once and Future King, shows how Arthur learns to become king and also his time as king. In the “Sword in the Stone” Merlyn utilizes Arthur’s experiences to teach him leadership. Merlyn accomplishes this task by transforming Arthur into various animals, such as a perch, merlin, ant, rook, wild goose, and badger. He teaches him through both positive and negative examples to further him in his education to become king. Arthur’s first transformation was into the form of a perch. As…

To this day, World War II is the most destructive and deadliest war in history. So much so that people all over the world were affected by it changing their perspective on war. In the medieval fantasy fiction novel, The Once and Future King, many characters are shown to be at war with each other over their opposing views on might. By writing the novel during World War II, T.H. White develops the theme through his views on anti-war and the importance of knowing that might isn’t always right. The…

staying in the darkness. After discussing the plan, the outlaws sprang into action and separated into groups. The groups reunited near the wasps and surrounded their feasting area. After the wasps became a bit suspicious, Robin blew his horn and all at once they fired their bows, striking down many confused wasps. One of the wasps charged at Wart while Wart was loading up his bow. Just as Wart shot, the wasp pounced on him and knocked him unconscious. Later that night, Wart woke up and was…

T.H. White wrote the novel The Once and Future King during a time when gender roles were very strict and heavily influencing society. From the time where this book takes place to the period where this book was written, some of these ideas have changed while others have not. In both time periods, men were the heads of the house and the main providers, which is shown through "masculinity was based on three factors: impregnating women, protecting dependents and providing for ones family." Women…

in sight. The tale of King Arthur Pendragon is one that sees many forms, but still stays true to certain aspects of its origin. We seek to explain Arthur’s history in books, in voice and, in the contemporary world, through films, but while some tell a story, it is interesting to also learn the recorded history and parallels found throughout each that make Arthur Pendragon and his Knights of the Round Table such a unique aspect to look at. The documentaries The Legend of King Arthur directed by…

In Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte D’Arthur, the battle between King Arthur and Accolon in Book IV is significant because it establishes Morgan as a primary antagonist to Arthur, Nimue as a force who can and will (mostly) work on Arthur’s behalf, and reaffirms Arthur’s honor and knightly prowess. With Merlin trapped and his magic unavailable to aid Arthur, Morgan and Nimue, step in to oppose and support Arthur, respectively. Both women are powerful female wielders of necromancy at this point;…

long forgotten tale, the true origin of King Arthur’s father, a story that has been subjected to the fabrication and the falsehoods by future writers desiring fame and a place in history. These are the real events leading to King Uther Pendragon’s birth, the father to King Arthur, retold by me, Matt Tanzman, a noble and possibly one of the greatest historians and scholars ever in, or likely ever to be in King Arthur’s court. My writing regarding the father of King Arthur’s origin had been made…