Rewriting the Holy Grail: The Grail-Hero (From Arthurian Romance to Pop Culture)
Keywords:
Holy Grail, Grail-Winner, Medieval Arthurian Romance, Medievalism.Abstract
Usually identified as the dish, plate or cup used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, the Holy Grail is, since the late twelfth century, a key part of the Arthurian Cycle. Although some authors (such as R.S. Loomis and J. Weston) have claimed its origin to rest in pagan traditions, the Holy Grail has become deeply intertwined with Christian myth, particularly with the legend of the Holy Chalice. In the earliest Arthurian romances, the Grail-Hero(es) had to prove himself (themselves) physically and mentally worthy of finding the Holy Grail. However, in later retellings he (they) must also be pure and spiritually perfect. In modern adaptations, though, such requirements are seemingly ignored so college professors, like Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Lost Crusade (1989), may find the Holy Grail. This paper aims at analyzing the role of the Grail-Heroes in Arthurian romance, identifying their main characteristics, how they evolved as well as to reflect upon and compare their features in contemporary reinterpretations of the medieval sources.
References
Barr, M.W. &Bolland, B. (2008). Camelot 3000. New York, NY: DC Comics (Original work published in 1982).
Chevalier, J. & Gheerbrant A. (1990). Dictionnaire des Symboles – Mythes, Rêves, Coutumes, Gestes, Formes, Figures, Couleurs, Nombres. Paris, France: Éditions Robert Laffontet Éditions Jupiter (Original work published in 1982)
Chrétien de Troyes (1994). Le Conte du Graalou Le Roman de Perceval. In M. Zink (Ed.), Chrétien de Troyes. Romans. (pp. 937-1211). (n.p.): Le Livre de Poche. (Original work published in 1181-1191)
--- (2004). The Story of the Grail or Perceval. Arthurian Romances. (W.W. Kibler, Trans.). (pp.381-494). London, England: Penguin Classics. (Original work published in 1181-1191)
Kennedy, Harlan (1981, March). John Boorman – In Interview. American Cinema Papers. Retrieved from http://americancinemapapers.homestead.com/files/EXCALIBUR.htm
Loomis, R. S. (1977). Wales and the Arthurian Legend. Cardiff, Wales: University of Wales Press. (Original work published in 1956)
Lupack, A. (2007). Oxford Guide to Arthurian Legend and Literature. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.
Malory, Sir Thomas (2004). Le Morte d’Arthur. S.H.A. Shepherd (Ed.). New York, NY: A Norton Critical Edition. (Original work published in 1485)
Markale, J. (1999). The Grail: The Celtic Origins of the Sacred Icon. Rochester, NY: Inner Traditions Bear and Company. (Original work published in 1982)
Matthews, J. (1990). Gawain: Knight of the Goddess. Restoring an Archetype. London, England: Aquarian Press.
Pallenberg, R., and John B. (1981).Excalibur Script - Dialogue Transcript.Script-O'Rama. Retrieved from http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/e/excaliburscript-transcript-arthur-merlin.html
Weston, J. (2005). From Ritual to Romance. New York, N.Y.: COSIMO. (Original work published in 1920).
Wood, J. (2000). “The Holy Grail: From Romance Motif to Modern Genre.” Folklore,111(2), 169-190.Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/1260602
Filmography
Boorman, J. (Producer & Director). (1981). Excalibur [Motion Picture]. United Kingdom: Orion Pictures.
Lucas, G. and Watts, R. (Producers), & Spielberg, S. (Director). (1989). Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade [Motion Picture]. United States: Paramount Pictures.
