My final blog..

This story is a different version of Arthurian literature than we have read. In this version the women are the ones pulling the strings, men are the puppets and they are the puppet masters. Viviane is the source of the famous equality characteristics associated with King Arthur's Court. The story here has Viviane giving Arthur the choice to take the magical sword, Excalibur, and scabbard and ensure equality between Christians and Druids or no sword/scabbard and only support Christians. Arthur is hesitant about enforcing equality because it has never been done before but he eventually agrees. We have always believed a male was the source of this idea but in this story we learn about a different way this decision was made. This portion of the story shows support for why women should be considered equal to men. This story also shows that women are more powerful then we may all like to believe. They use their power when nobody is looking unlike the men who have a tendency to show it off.

Then there is Morgaine. She is an extreme contrast to these strong independent women. First Morgaine is extremely ill after Lancelot broke her heart by supporting Gwenhwyfar over her. I thought this story was about empowering women instead we see this "powerful" woman crumble into million pieces. This story has so far hindered their goals more than helped achieve them. Although Morgaine seems so weak for the most of the story there are small portions in the second and third where her behavior is strong. She created the magical scabbard described earlier. When Viviane saw this splendidly made scabbard she could not believe that it was created by a single woman, Morgaine. So, I admit this scabbard is pretty awesome sounding but did you need to work so hard that the scabbard was covered in your blood?

To Arthur,

I may have need to be told to kneel before you the day you drew the sword from the stone but I will never need to be told again. I respect you as King and as my brother. This is my last blog post and I want to make sure you know that I will always remain loyal and will always love you. You are the rightful king.

-Sir Kay

Sir Kay breaketh his sword at ye Tournament, by Howard Pyle from The Story of King Arthur and His Knights. (1903)