CONGRESS CANCELED Arthurian Inheritances

Medieval Institute, Western Michigan University

Description

_Arthurian Literature_ proposes 'Arthurian Inheritances': King Arthur's own story in the legend named after him begins and ends in inheritance: Arthur becomes king by being hailed by Merlin as the rightful inheritor of the throne, his kingship is further announced and symbolized by his enchanted sword, and although most accounts of his reign end by identifying those who rule afterwards, Arthur's successors fail to live up to his inheritance. Inheritances of various kinds -- monarchical or political, familial, vengeful, emotional -- are a recurring trope of the legend in various mediaeval literary and linguistic traditions from the early to late Middle Ages; these mediaeval tropes remain a stable feature of modern adaptations. As the journal _Arthurian Literature_ moves to a new editorship this session is designed to explore the variety of inheritances within Arthurian literature and to pay tribute to the editors who have made the journal so successful. The breadth of the topic is designed to be as inclusive as possible. The speakers, like Bob Dylan, have asked that you refrain from tweeting or photographing their performance. [K.S. Whetter, 27.ix.19]

 
May 8th, 1:30 PM

CONGRESS CANCELED Arthurian Inheritances

Sangren 1740

_Arthurian Literature_ proposes 'Arthurian Inheritances': King Arthur's own story in the legend named after him begins and ends in inheritance: Arthur becomes king by being hailed by Merlin as the rightful inheritor of the throne, his kingship is further announced and symbolized by his enchanted sword, and although most accounts of his reign end by identifying those who rule afterwards, Arthur's successors fail to live up to his inheritance. Inheritances of various kinds -- monarchical or political, familial, vengeful, emotional -- are a recurring trope of the legend in various mediaeval literary and linguistic traditions from the early to late Middle Ages; these mediaeval tropes remain a stable feature of modern adaptations. As the journal _Arthurian Literature_ moves to a new editorship this session is designed to explore the variety of inheritances within Arthurian literature and to pay tribute to the editors who have made the journal so successful. The breadth of the topic is designed to be as inclusive as possible. The speakers, like Bob Dylan, have asked that you refrain from tweeting or photographing their performance. [K.S. Whetter, 27.ix.19]