Narnia and the Arthurian World by Dan Damaso

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 The Arthurian world and the Narnia universe are two distinct but influential elements of pop culture, both contributing significantly to literature, film, and other forms of entertainment. The Arthurian world, based on the legendary King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, has been a recurring theme in literature and film for centuries. This mythology has inspired countless retellings, adaptations, and reinterpretations. Classic works like Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur" and T.H. White's "The Once and the Future King" have been foundational texts, inspiring many other authors to explore the Arthurian universe. There have been iconic moves like "Excalibur" (1981) and "Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) that brought humor and drama to Arthurian legends. These stories have also influenced works like 'King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" (2017), offering modern, action-packed interpretations. On the other hand, Narnia is a fantasy world created by C.S. Lewis in "The Chronicles of Narnia" series that adapts a multitude of Arthurian elements to its story. 

A scene from "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," in which many
 of the characters look like they came from an Arthurian story (2)

Narnia is known for its magical creatures, epic battles, and moral allegory. Both the series and the characters in the Arthurian universe have several parallels with one another. For instance, in "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," we are introduced to a character that is very similar to King Arthur. Both are rightful heirs to their throne, along at an early age dissociated themselves from the direct line to the throne. Both being rightful heirs, strive to regain their proper positions in their "court." Further, both choose to fight the political structure to enforce their position (i.e. Arthur against a group of lesser monarchs, and Caspian against the Telemarines). Another element that brings these two characters together is the fact that they both were aided by an old wise creature (i.e. Prince Caspian to Cornelius and King Arthur to Merlin). 

Cornelius and a young Prince Caspian (1)
Merlin and a young King Arthur (3)
The characters of Merlin and Cornelius have more similarities than bringing the mentorship element to these stories. For instance, they were both mentors during the period of ascension to the throne and they were both considered magical beings. Both have origins of being half human and half some other creature. In Malory's interpretation of the Arthurian universe, Merlin is said to have the offspring of the devil, while Cornelius is said to have been a creature with half-dwarfism. 

Both the Narnia and Arthurian universes capture the imaginations of readers and viewers alike with their Christian symbolism, rich storytelling, and enchanting characters. Interestingly, there is a connection to Christianity allegory throughout the quests that are portrayed throughout each storyline. Within the story of Narnia, viewers are introduced to an island named Ramandu, which is discovered to be the "last island before the end of the world." In comparison to the Arthurian universe, the island of Avalon is a place where Arthur is taken to be healed and returned one day of his country's greatest need. Similarly, Caspian in Narnia is taken to an island after his death, which is perceived to be an island of "life after death."

Both the Arthurian world and Narnia continue to leave their mark on pop culture. They provide timeless tales of adventure, heroism, and moral exploration that resonate with audiences of all ages. These worlds serve as enduring sources of inspiration for storytellers and continue to captivate new generations through various media adaptations, ensuring their lasting impact on pop culture. 

Works Cited

Comments

  1. Chelcea MorganOctober 12, 2023 at 2:23 PM

    Hey Dan! I've heard of The Chronicles of Narnia but I had no idea that one of its inspirations drew from Arthurian Legend. With that in mind I appreciate your comparisons to characters found in Narnia- this is a great example of how easily adaptable these character archetypes are. It makes sense that King Arthur would later inspire the ferverent "main character energy" that we see in more contemporary works such as this, he kind of has it all doesn't he? Think I appreciate the Ramandu versus Avalon comparison the most- I find these fantastical alternative afterlife concepts very interesting, and its nice that you've brought another work that incorporates this to my attention.

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