Odyssey and Arthurian Legend the Term Paper

The supernatural element is also often present in the Arthurian legends, such as the appearance of the Green Knight in Sir Gawain, and it is an important part of the mystical experiences described in the legends. In a sense, the knights, just like the epic heroes, are confronted with the supernatural so as to prove their worthiness, but the difference is that the knights, such as Lancelot, Percival or King Arthur himself engage in a mystical experience rather than in a mere confrontation with their own destiny, as Ulysses does. The romance is thus more concerned with the inner qualities of the knights. Courtly love also plays a very important part in the romances, as the knights are usually devoted to God, to their king or liege and to a beautiful and virtuous lady.

The Odyssey and the Arthurian Legend

There are many similarities, as well as significant differences between the epic poems and the romances. Thus, first of all, both require an extraordinary hero, who undertakes a journey of initiation. However, if Ulysses goes through numberless challenges and temptations to meet his own destiny and to challenge the will of the gods, the Knights of the Round Table are chosen characters that are meant to undergo trials and adventures so as to prove their virtues, and their purity of character. Ulysses' quest is preordained by the gods, and in his adventures, he is both guided by friendly gods (Athena) and thwarted by enemies (Poseidon). Thus, he fulfills his destiny, and his journey is a symbolic representation of man's confrontation with the odds of his own fate. King Arthur's knights excel as individuals also, but the ideal in their case is their own purity and the devotion with which they serve either God, or their king, or the love for a beautiful woman.If the Odyssey emphasizes such values as patriotism, heroic valor, and the love for one's family, the most important elements in the Arthurian legends are the either a mystical or supernatural experience or courtly love. The romance in itself is concerned with ideals and with a great sense of honor, which is more important than the victory in a battle as such. For example, Lancelot, who has an unlawful love affair with Guinevere, King Arthur's wife, is able to acquit himself by being victorious in a battle (although this does not happen eventually), merely because any victory was immediately related with personal purity and excellence and thus with the symbolic triumph of the good over the evil. Pride is thus extremely important in both the epic poem and the romance: Ulysses fights for his family and drives the suitors away from a sense of pride and all the knights believe in honor as the main virtue for the knight. In terms of roundness of character thus, the epic poem and the romance share common traits. The sense of family is more prominent in the Odyssey (Ulysses' return to his wife and son being largely the main theme), while in the romances this ideal is replaced by courtly love….....