Parallels between the Weasleys and King Arthur's family?

[mongo62aa]

No: HPFGUIDX 31593

Hello to all. I've been reading this board for some days now, and I 
thought that there might be some interest in the following two 
messages that I sent to another board.



*Message One*



Hi, this is my first post to this board.

I have been struck by the many parallels between the Weasley family 
and the knights of the round table. The most obvious are King Arthur 
and Sir Percival = Percy, but we also have the five red-headed 
brothers (Sirs Gawain, Gareth, Gaheris, Agravaine, and Mordred), sons 
of Morgause and close relatives of King Arthur. Mordred went on to 
betray Arthur to his death.

And then there is Ginny. Here is an entry from www.20000-names.com:

GINEVRA: Italian form of Guinevere, "white and smooth." Diminutives 
include Ginnie and Ginny.

Guinevere was known for her beautiful red hair: here is an extract 
from Bernard Cornwell's 'The Winter King':

'What made her beautiful was her hair and her carriage, for she 
stood as straight as a spear, and her hair fell around her like a 
cascade of tumbling red tangles.'

And, of course, she was most famous for her relationship with Sir 
Lancelot, the greatest of knights.

Any thoughts?



*Message Two*



Me again.

I thought that I should list some more parallels with Arthurian 
legend.

The five brothers are the sons of Morgause, Arthur's sister, and 
share his red hair.

Gawain is the oldest brother. In the earliest reports Gawain is a 
hero whose adventures parallel that of Arthur and 'Lancelot'. Known 
as the 'Hawk of May' in the Mabinogion, a man of great strength said 
to be at his most powerful during the late morning and early 
afternoon, who's most well known confrontation was with the Green 
Knight. 

Later versions of Gawain's life present a man of low morals, falling 
from grace having been a man of chivalrous intent and courteous to 
all he encountered. He transforms into a man who finds woman 
irresistible although he was still seen as a Knight of the Round 
Table. Gawain was said to have had many illegitimate children. He was 
often portrayed opposite Lancelot in some of the early romances to 
heighten and denote his lusty nature but not as a competitor, more as 
a foil to highlight the hero.

The youngest brother is Gareth. Sir Gareth is one of the most gentle, 
good knights of the Round Table. Malory is very fond of him, and 
gives him one of the happiest, most complete and neatly ended tales 
in the Morte Darthur. He spends much time elaborating on how gentle, 
modest, and patient a knight he turns out to be, but also how 
valorous and strong. 

Gareth represents the youthful ideals of the Round Table--strength, 
uprightness, devotedness, gentleness, courtesy. Everyone in the 
Arthurian legend loves Gareth (except, of course, Mordred and Kay). 

Lancelot was not related to the brothers, but was 'adopted' by King 
Arthur into his family. Lancelot's family were said to have been 
consumed by fire at their castle according to one Grail romance 
legend, and so Lancelot was cared for by the 'Lady Of The Lake' when 
an infant and taken to live under the lake.

Arthurian romance indicates that the moment Guinevere buckled 
Lancelot's belt as he was knighted, and as he was to serve as the 
Queen's own Knight the fate of the two was sealed. Perhaps to control 
his urges Lancelot is then revealed to have been a Knight whose 
reputation grew steadily over the next few years as he stayed away 
from court, and Guinevere, slaying demons and achieving victory in 
many battles. Having learned of his true status Lancelot eventually 
returned to Arthur's court and became Guinevere's lover.

One of his greatest adventures was to recover Guinevere 
from 'Meleagant', also known as 'Melwas, Prince of Death'. Reputed to 
have been an evil man, and a terrifying Knight, he 
captured 'Guinevere' taking her to his own land where she was rescued 
by 'Lancelot'. 

'Chrétien de Troyes' depicts Lancelot as a hero, and a man so in
love with Guinevere that in order to save her he is prepared to 
travel to where she is imprisoned in a cart, a mode of transport 
normally utilised for criminals. Lancelot is described as having to 
cross the 'Sword-Bridge' to reach Guinevere. 

(descriptions filched from various websites)