An Impact on Modern Film

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Arthur’s character first appears in Welsh poetry. He is continuously referred to as a great warrior and leader. This characterization has provided a template for western culture’s ideas of leadership, honor, and in some cases romance. The legend of Arthur has had a great influence on the modern era. The elements of the Arthurian tradition have been utilized in major films such Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings. The character Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings can be seen as mirroring the character of Arthur in some ways.  The legend of Arthur tells a story of a baby being taken by elves and given the gift of enchantments. In the Lord of the Rings, Aragon is also raised by elves. The roles of the elves, in both tales, play a key part in the development of their kings. Another important comparison is that both characters true identities were kept secret since birth. When they came of age, they both found themselves in possession of an ancestral sword and began their adventures of reclaiming their lost heritage.  The two men, in their respective stories, fulfill prophesies of bearing swords of significant importance. By doing this, they are able to unite and rule kingdoms. The sword symbolizes the return of the one true king in both stories. The resemblance of characters can also be found in Harry Potter. Both Harry and Arthur are unaware of their true identity as youths and later learn who they really are with the help from a wizard.  The two characters are considered to be heroes that take on the challenges of their predestined futures. They also face many quests. Harry’s yearning to find the Philosopher’s stone can easily be compared to Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail. The desire to obtain the Elixir of Life is shared by both characters. A distinct resemblance between Arthur and Harry is their swords. Harry pulls the sword of Godric Griffindor from a magical hat, while Arthur pulls Excalibur from a stone.  J.R.R Tolkien and J.K. Rowling do an excellent job creating a character parallel to Arthur. This truly displays the impact Arthur’s legend has made on modern culture.