King Arthur: A Fine Romance is a course offered by Clockworks Academy that explores the legend of King Arthur and his knights as depicted in Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte Darthur. The course aims to develop familiarity and appreciation of Arthurian literature, an understanding of medieval romance as a genre, and critical analysis skills.
The course begins with a lecture on the history and legend of King Arthur. Students are introduced to the various historical and literary sources of the Arthurian legend, including Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain and Chrétien de Troyes' Arthurian romances. The lecture provides students with a context for understanding the different versions of the Arthurian legend and the evolution of the legend over time.
In subsequent weeks, the course delves deeper into the Arthurian legend as depicted in Le Morte Darthur. The course covers topics such as knights errant, damsels in distress, the character of Lancelot, and the theme of love and tragedy. Each week, students are assigned readings from Le Morte Darthur and other suggested readings such as The Idylls of the King by Alfred, Lord Tennyson and The Defence of Guenevere by William Morris.
The course also includes live chats and seminars where students can discuss the readings and engage with the material. Students are encouraged to participate in course discussions on the course Discord, where they can set the agenda and frequency of the conversation.
One of the most important aspects of the course is the emphasis on critical analysis skills. Students are encouraged to analyze the readings and consider the different themes and motifs that are present in the Arthurian legend. Through close reading and analysis, students can develop a deeper understanding of the literary techniques used by Malory and other Arthurian writers.
Overall, King Arthur: A Fine Romance is a fascinating course that offers students a unique opportunity to explore the Arthurian legend. Through a combination of lectures, readings, and discussions, students can develop a deeper understanding of the legend and the medieval romance genre. The course also provides students with valuable critical analysis skills that can be applied to other literary works. For anyone interested in Arthurian literature, this course is an excellent way to deepen your knowledge and appreciation of this rich and complex literary tradition.