The Mists Of Avalon A Feminist Perspective - 1072 Words

A Feminist Perspective The film The Mists of Avalon is an Arthurian work that relates the legend from the perspective of the female characters that manipulated the reigns of the power. This film, follows the journey of the priestess, Morgaine, in her fight to preserve her Celtic culture in a kingdom where those who embrace Christianity threaten to end their pagan way of life. This legend also focuses on the ladies, Viviane, Igrane, Morgause, and Guinevere as well as other significant female characters in Arthurian literature. The male leaders like King Arthur, Lancelot, and the other knights of the Round Table are portrayed as the supporting characters rather than the main characters. This film s feminist perspective allows the audience to understand the great significance of the female roles in Arthurian retellings. The Mists of Avalon is basically made in contrast of most of the other Arthurian legend retellings. In those retellings, Morgaine is portrayed as this evil sorceress without much of an explanation as to why she has so much antagonism towards the Round Table. For example, in Excalibur, another Arthurian film by director John Boorman, Morgaine is seen as a vengeful witch that tried to trick Merlin, a fellow sorcerer and father figure to King Arthur, in order to betray the king. Meanwhile in this film, Morgaine is seen as a strong female leader with unique talents and responsibilities. She is portrayed as the voice of reason and is appointed to defend herShow MoreRelatedThe Depiction of Morgan Le Fay in Various Accounts of The Arthurian Legend2196 Words   |  9 PagesdArthur, a French version of the Arthurian legend, Mort Artu, written by an unknown 13th century author and T. H. Whites 20th century classic The Once and Future King, along with Marion Zimmer Bradleys New York Times best-selling novel The Mists Of Avalon show vastly different versions of the character of Morgan and her importance in the legend. In most versions of the legend, Morgan is Arthurs half sister, the daughter of Queen Igraine and her first husband, the Duke of Cornwall. After herRead MoreKing Arthur Literary Analysis3547 Words   |  15 Pagesempire to Norway, Denmark and Gaul, and defeats Roman armies in order to do this. In the end, Arthur returns to Britain to defeat his nephew Modredus (Mordred) who was left in charge of Britain but betrayed Arthur. Arthur is mortally wounded, taken to Avalon and it is implied he passed away. Arthurian legend, however, is not only about Arthur. There are many huge characters in the stories. One widely known knight is Sir Lancelot du Lac. Lancelot is a tragic figure in Arthurian Romance. He was a Knight