12 April 2019 Most of everything in today’s society is just a twist from something else like literature, music, movies, political views, and so much more; but in other words, the twists are just allusions from other works. An “allusion is a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance” (Allusions). The legends of King Arthur are just one story that has been taken and twisted it into their very own inspiration especially in today’s day and age. The Arthurian Legends has inspired many artists to create music, comics, and even movies.
Music has been something that has been around for generations and in some ways, tell a story. Music has been a heavy influence on every generation and was the way that others told about legends and stories back in the dark ages and medieval times as well as today. Today’s music is still influenced by legends and tales just like the Arthurian Legends. Some examples of Arthurian-inspired music are the band Blind Guardian that created an album that contains many references in their songs to the Arthurian Legends for example “The Past and Future Secret” which is about the battle of Camlann (List of Works). “The Battle of Camlannis is King Arthur's final battle, in which he is mortally wounded by his nephew Mordred” (The Battle of Camlann). Another artist, Bruce Dickinson, had a solo album in 2004 which contained the song “Return of The King” which heavily contained Arthurian elements that included Uther Pendragon (List of Works).
Arthurian legends have not just inspired those in music but it has inspired those who even write comics. Comics have been around for many years and is “a magazine containing sequences of comic strips —usually hyphenated in attributive use” (Comic Book). A popular brand of comics called DC Comics used Camelot many times throughout their comics. “Camelot was a mythical castled city, said to be located in Great Britain, where King Arthur held court” (Jarus Owen). Marvel, another popular brand of comics, used a knight, The Black Knight, within their comics that served on the Arthurs Court. Another example of comics that references King Arthur within the story is Hell Boy. In the comic “Hellboy is descended from King Arthur through his son, Mordred, by a daughter who was hidden away” (List of Works). Not only does teen and adult comics sometimes reference King Arthur within the story but even sometimes kids comics reference King Arthur and his legends. “The Once and Future Duck” is about Donald Duck and his nephews and had King Arthur within the story and this comic itself “created the basis of many tropes from Arthurian legend” (List of Works).
Movies are a type of entertainment that many people enjoy. Movies are a way to escape from reality for a little while and enjoy another world with an exciting plot. Throughout many years there has been many different influences and creations of the Arthurian legends that have been used within films. In 1963 Disney created their own twist on the legend and created the animated movie “The Sword in The Stone”. In 1995 “Frist Knight” was produced and published for the publics viewing. “First Knight” was about “the abduction of Guinevere by the knight Malagant” (List of Works). In 2017 “King Arthur: Legend of The Sword” was produced and was “a live-action film which will follow a young Arthur who is learning how to master the sword Caliburn and fight his way back as rightful heir and king of ancient Britain” (List of Works). In 2020 “Arthur: Dawn of Destiny” will be shown and it will retell “the King Arthur legend featuring young Arthur and Merlin's quest to find the Sword in the Stone” (List of Works).
The Arthurian legend will continue to be around for a long time and will continue to inspire those around us to create many inspirations. Music, comics, and films are just a few examples of so many creations that the Arthurian legend has inspired others and their very own works. Modern society will continue to use the Arthurian legends as well as many others to help make a wonderful plot, basis, and work in general for other to enjoy and share. “There is no creation without tradition; the 'new' is an inflection on a preceding form; novelty is always a variation on the past” - Carlos Fuente (Allusion Quotes).