Heroism
HeroismHeroism is a legendary and supernatural quality. The term was first applied to tales concerned with knights, chivalry, and courtly love. Several romances deal with Alexander the Great, King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table, and Emperor Charlemagne. The Arthurian romances fall into three broad groups. Some, such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, are tales that involve the testing of a young knight. Others, such as the Tristan und Isolt of Gottfried von Strassburg, describe the conflict between passion and duty. The third group, exemplified by Chr�tien de Troyes's romance Percival, is concerned with the search for the Holy Grail.
Heroic tradition, is also referred to as romances set in distant or mythological places and times, they stress adventure and supernatural parts. This type of heroism was most recognized in the rennaisance. Although some historians consider him a mythical figure, people believe that a historical Arthur may have led the long resistance of Brittain against the invaders. According to legend, Arthur was the son of Uther Pendragon, king of Britain. Kept in hiding during childhood, he was suddenly presented to the people as their king. He proved a wise and valiant ruler. He gathered a great company of knights in his court problems of introducement were avoided by the use of a round table at gatherings.
With his queen, Guinevere, he maintained a magnificent court at Camelot, where the Brittians longest maintained their hold. His wars and victories extended to the continent of Europe, where he successfully defied the forces of the Roman Empire until he was called home because of the acts of his nephew Mordred, who had rebelled and seized his kingdom. In the final battle, in southwestern England, the king and the traitor both fell, pierced by...
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