Mordred: revisionism

Abishai100

New Member
Consumerism culture in our modern times creates a colloquialization of history that is connected to economics-driven lifestyle talk. Hence, we see the popularity of capitalism-celebratory American comic book avatars such as Richie Rich (a young boy who uses his incredible inherited wealth to go on adventures and missions tackling the schemes of sinister tyrants).

This sort of 'shop talk' motivates scholars to re-cast old world historical characters in a new light of colloquialized academics. For example, we can reference the 'demon knight' character of Mordred, sworn nemesis of the fabled kingdom of Camelot from Old England to discuss ideas about profiteerism courage since such discussions stir the curiosity of today's history students.

It's no wonder that these days, Hollywood (USA) makes 'layman archaeology' movies such as "Avatar" (2009).

:oops:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_of_the_Sun_(film)

 

Abishai100

New Member
The Lady of the Lake is the name of the ruler of Avalon in the Arthurian legend. She plays a pivotal role in many stories, including giving King Arthur his sword Excalibur, enchanting Merlin, and raising Lancelot after the death of his father. Different writers and copyists give the Arthurian character the name Nimue, Viviane, Vivien, Elaine, Ninianne, Nivian, Nyneve, or Evienne, among other variations (source of information: Wikipedia).

In Arthurian legend, she helps both Arthur and Lancelot but not Mordred (who is depicted as a nemesis). We can keep evaluating this dichotomy of bestowment or we can derive alternative theories (perhaps medical).

For example, what if we imagine that the Lady of the Lake is a purely fictional being who represents counsel, inspiration, and aide to those who suffer from reproductive disabilities such as Kallman syndrome (thereby affording her a special 'medicinal' power and revealing her to be a symbol of fertility rather than one of power or mystery).

Such a theory would sit well with new age revisionist theories regarding a Functionalism approach to history (e.g., economics/farming based assessment of feudal politics).

Imagine that someone in modern times afflicted with Kallman syndrome is exposed to a revisionist history theory/model that suggests the Lady of the Lake is an 'angel of pity' or 'comfort' to those unable to engage in intercourse or reproduce and give birth to fertile offspring.

It is interesting to note that numerous new age films re-interpreting Arthurian legend (e.g., First Knight, King Arthur) cast the kingdom of Camelot as an empirical war-zone (and hence Mordred as a 'minister' of politics --- rather than as a 'deacon' of revolution).



llke.jpg
 

Abishai100

New Member
Landscaping

It would be interesting to do a landscape comparison of Mordred and Lancelot, to look at how cultural perceptions of how these knights 'wander' and 'conquer' can be sociologically linked to their folkloric characterizations regarding territorialism-shifts. For example, will history-oriented storytellers (in the tradition of Homer, Vyasa, Shakespeare, and Tom Clancy) regard Mordred and Lancelot as 'mercenaries' or 'diplomats/icons'?

These nuances ironically shape how educators present the dynamic quality of 'fantasy-oriented folklore.'

It's what film-makers pay attention to these days as well...

When did history change from oral tradition (e.g., Homer) to laboratory creativity (e.g., Howard Zinn)?

I'm fascinated to see how this all turns out!



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MORDRED: I wander through valleys and hills primed for bravado and subversion of monarchy.
LANCELOT: You can't tweak folk tales to your benefit, Mordred. Stories are for the people, not gods.
MORDRED: Why then do you wander among the ruins of the gossip of castles, Lancelot?
LANCELOT: My purpose is to quest after the mysteries of friendship, not power...
MORDRED: I can be likened to the warlords and leviathans of history, while you are nothing more than a 'greeting-totem.'
LANCELOT: I am still a defender of pedestrian daydreams...
MORDRED: I don't think so. Camelot has turned you into an 'anti-hero.'
LANCELOT: Better to be an anti-hero seeking reconciliation than a warlord seeking the grave!
MORDRED: The historians will call me a 'prophet.'
LANCELOT: The people will still label you a 'tyrant.'
MORDRED: Let's see if the storytellers agree with you.
LANCELOT: Power is never intriguing to the meek and the holy...
MORDRED: We'll see if the lazy and the wasteful consider you a 'resource' or a 'slave.'
LANCELOT: He who serves is he who respects the faith of the scribes writing about the 'innocence of history.'


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MORDRED:


mordred1.jpg


LANCELOT:

lnA.jpg
 

Abishai100

New Member
Romance & Rites

It would be interesting to do a comparison of the personal life of Mordred with the personal life of Lancelot. Mordred has been paired with his 'scheming mother' Morgan (usually), while Lancelot is obviously known for his 'scandalous betraying adulterous affair' with King Arthur's unfaithful wife, Queen Guinevere.

However, we also know that Mordred is considered a rivalling warrior, not simply a 'character' with a personal life. Lancelot, likewise, is not simply a Camelot character but also a 'wandering warrior' (or mercenary-like knight), so we might consider how he might ironically be paired 'romantically' with the Lady of the Lake.

So considering Mordred's 'savage war-like stance' and Lancelot's 'sentiment-rich mysterious persona' may help us create insightful 'old-world history revisionism perspectives' which could complement the sort of 'liberal bravado inventiveness' we see in new age renditions of Medieval folklore such as Kingdom of Heaven.



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Lancelot was a wandering mercenary-knight and was ashamed of his affair with Guinevere and wanted to honor Arthur on the battlefield, so he could do away with the nefarious 'shadow' of rival Mordred, a true savage. However, Lancelot was also courting a 'metaphysical' relationship with the mystical Lady of the Lake, which just might add to his sense of 'spiritual valor.' --- synopsis of Lancelot-Mordred battle-intro in Camelot video-game Knights of Dreams (Konami)

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