Late Night Thoughts/FanFiction, Holt

Now that we have finished the Mist of Avalon, I was once again fascinated at getting a different perspective in which the women portrayed were the main focus even though Arthur was involved.  To me, it was interesting to see the female characters actually have a lead story built in besides Guinevere (even though she was included too). I do like change ups in story and this shed some new light as to how what the women were saying and thinking during that time. It was good to be in their shoes for once instead of being in the knights’ the whole time. Even coming through a guy’s point of view, I’ve wondered at times during some of the past readings what possibly could have been going through some of the maiden’s head.  When combined feminism with the Mist of Avalon, the part when Lancelot doubted Morgaine could climb the Tor because of her skirt really stuck in my head. Her best quote was “…surely men know that women have legs like their own. It cannot be so much of an offense of modesty to see what they must be able to imagine.”  I think this was the perfect quote to compare when talking about the ideas of feminist.  Morgaine wasn’t afraid to get rough and dirty as all maidens are supposed to have some moral of staying clean and proper for their men. Lancelot was surprised that she was out of the ordinary, but men today are shocked how women can do the same things men can do, even better. I am interested in reading Knight Life. I am looking forward to the kid-type merlin and a 1980’s Arthur running for mayor.

Unlike everyone in class, I thought the ritual of the hunting of the dear was stranger than the incest between Arthur and Morgaine.  It took me a while to realize that Morgaine was under the influence of something (basically drugs). However, the whole process of hunting the deer had me a bit lost until I read further and with a little more assistance in class.

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When we discussed fan fiction, I didn’t quite understand what it was until I investigated it further. I had an idea of what it was but my perception was a little off.  There is actually a site: www.fanfiction.net in which you can see all types of genres based on shows, games, movies, etc. All fan fiction. Some of the stories are so detailed to add an extra storyline to what has already been conceived.  It is crazy how people can carry on with such an imagination with their favorite novels or movies. I always thought of fan fiction for TV shows were related to spin off shows. For example “Breaking Bad” was a television show, but they are doing a spin off show concentrating on Saul “Better Call Saul” could this be a fan fiction? I don’t know how spin offs work but that’s what’d I’d imagine a fan fiction to be.

MIsts of Avalon... WHAT?

As I read Mists of Avalon, both sections, the word "what?" crossed my mind quite a few times. I said what about their religion because I did not understand it and I was interested. That was not a bad what, especially when there were many more whats to come. I was very confused and said what about Galahad deciding that he wanted to change his name. I was completely thrown by that change and I did not like it. I saw the necessity of it to show that Galahad was no longer a part of Avalon.The first reading did not have me saying what as much as the second set. When I began the second section I was nervous, already questioning the reading  I was getting ready to read. As I started and the ritual was explained I was like "what the heck", I definitely wanted to stop reading after that but I knew I had to keep going. As Morgaine was painted and "probed" I was definitely starting to feel uncomfortable. This reading succeeded in continually being uncomfortable; from Morgaine and Arthur sleeping together to Arthur bringing it up again. When Arthur and Morgaine slept together for the second time it was so awkward and I was questioning every single thing that was happening. I was talking to the reading like I talk to the TV. "Why don't you know your sister! Why do you want to sleep together, its your sister! STOP! STOP! STOP!" I got over it long enough to finish the reading but I was still completely weirded out and questioning Viviane more than anyone. Arthur only made everything worse when he told Morgaine he would always love her and would always remember her as his first time; before he realized it was Morgaine it was awkward, the second time it was agonizing to read. I was talking to Arthur and it was like in movies when you "say go in there" I was telling him "close your mouth, stop talking" This was my biggest question and I was completely done with this reading. My "WHAT" was so far gone that there was no point in even trying to figure anything out or questioning it because there was too many questions and no answers to make me feel better.

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Why Merlin's Guinevere is the best Guinevere

During my Merlin presentation I repeatedly mentioned that it was my favorite and in my opinion the best representation of Guinevere I’ve encountered so far. Reading the excerpts from the Mist of Avalon has just reaffirmed that opinion. Gwenhwyfar is apparently the picture perfect beauty, so much so she causes the proud and strong Morgaine to become self-conscious, but all I see in her description is a wimp, a lost little girl who is pretty pathetic, especially in comparison to Morgaine. I hate that she fits snugly into the “damsel in distress” category.  I prefer a Guinevere with more bite to her.  I’d say I liked T.H. White’s Guinevere a tad more, but she tended to be too whiny and self-centered, much like the other Guineveres we have seen in our readings.

Movie wise I have yet to be impressed by a Gwen. With the exception of Keira Knightley’s Guinevere in the 2004 King Arthur movie, most other film depictions of Gwen make her meek and a very flat character, yet again a damsel in need of constant saving. And honestly the only reason I slightly like King Arthur’s Guinevere is because, well, it’s Keira Knightley and I think she is nice to look at and I’m not afraid to say so!

Anyway, Angel Coulby is by far the best Gwen recorded either by pen or film. (Also, I see it fit now to warn you all that spoilers of the show may follow in my rant about how great she is). 

First off, she is not the typical image of Queen Guinevere, which is one thing I truly love. I don't think I have to explain much in the way of how she is different, it's pretty obvious, but I will make the comment that part of her appeal as Gwen is that she isn't the traditional pale skinned beauty that most other adaptations described her as. BBC provides us with a unique and beautiful Gwen, which is truly refreshing. 

We don’t know much about Gwen’s background besides that she has a living father (for the first few episodes) and a brother who becomes one of Arthur’s knights of Camelot.  She serves as Morgana’s servant but their relationship is not so formal, they are best friends in truth, rather than mistress and servant girl. Not only is she mentioned to be a gifted seamstress, but she also knows a great deal about how to mend armor and work with weapons because her father is a black smith. In my opinion she gets major bonus points for such a skill. Merlin’s Gwen is not afraid to break social barriers that usually constrict women. And although she initially is timid and awkward, as the series goes on she begins to grown in self-confidence. Initially finding Arthur to be unapproachable and unlikable, as time passes she begins to open up to him. However, she never becomes doe eyed and enamored with him, or even Lancelot (with one exception, but she was under a spell so it doesn’t quite count). Gwen doesn’t fit the girly type. She’s brave and loyal and everything I want in a leading lady.

And let’s not forget that she eventually becomes the queen of Camelot. Talk about climbing the social class ladder! 

I’m not saying it wasn’t a very challenging climb, the director of the show tried to make it as believable as possible (or as believable as any BBC show about magic can be), but she made it none the  less and stood up against the nay sayers, the principle one being Arthur’s own father. When she does become queen, she rules alongside Arthur, and in his absences she is strong willed ruler. we can also assume that after his death she continues to rule Camelot as Queen Regent, which shows how respected she is despite her "low" birth. She does not shirk away from the responsibility.  She also has a darker, manipulative side to her, which I absolutely LOVE. I want a Gwen who isn’t perfect, a Gwen who gets a little power hungry and creative with her royal liberties from time to time. That keeps things interesting!

Anyway, that is my rant about Merlin’s Guinevere. You should all give the show a try, if not for the best Gwen yet, then at least to hear Olivander’s voice come from a cheesy CGI dragon.

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Crazy or Nahhh?

These reading that we have done this week, The Mists of Avalon, is very interesting. Is anyone else as intrigued as I am??? I love that Morgan is a fairy priestess. However, the readings that are supposed to be due for tomorrow, they are a little crazy!!!! Viviane set Morgan up to sleep with her own brother!!! How disgusting. Before Morgan even takes apart of the ritual, she sleeps in some random woman's bed and the next morning, this older woman is checking to make sure her "cherry" is still there. Ughhhh. And then to sleep with a deer man with your body dyed a blue color and covered in blood?!?!?!?! It's definitely weird. They were extremely high on herbs and roots, must have been some strong weed. She had collapsed on the hill, but still while running with the deer and then becoming the deer. Sounds crazzzeeeeeeee. She should've needed a couple days to recuperate after that. Plus, y'all know she doesn't really eat anything, which just makes it worse. She should've had some serious munchies. She ate meat for the third time in like six or seven years??? That would've added to her being way out of it. Apart of me is so disgusted by this whole ordeal, but then it is also a sacred ritual. Don't some cultures do some crazy ass things when it comes to virginity and sacrifice??? Or am I just wrong?

Plus, we've seen something that we've never seen before about Excalibur. Excalibur is made from metal from a meteorite, and the sheath is made by Morgan, who used her magic. We always hear that Excalibur is given to Arthur through the Lady of the Lake, her hand appears above the water and Arthur must retrieve it from the hand. But, in this version, Arthur and Merlin and Kevin, whoever he is, actually go to Avalon to take apart in an oath before receiving Excalibur. He must rule fairly no matter what God is being blessed. Christian or Druid, Arthur must rule fairly. And we all know he does this.

I am intrigued by the magic that is being described in the Mists of Avalon. It is a lot nicer than any other readings we have done. I believe its because its explained a little bit more than in any other text we've read so far. But these readings are also the craziest we've read so far as well.

"I'm No Superman"

How many times have we found ourselves saying, "I totally wouldn't do that" or "Well, it's different for me because...?" It's easy for us to criticize things when we are on the outside looking in, and then find it quite humbling when we are in a similar situation. Many people have found Morgaine's behavior in The Mists of Avalon less than admirable. What happened to that strong, athletic girl who kicked Lancelot's butt at hiking and won our hearts for it? How come the girl who shamelessly showed off her legs is now yearning to cover them...and all because of a guy? What happened to our heroine? A girl worth admiring should be tough, ruthless, and too confident take any negativity from anybody. Right?

Wrong. Girls have feelings. People having feelings, and Morgaine knows it. Consider the passage at the very beginning of the section,

"Anger was mixed with affection, to neither of which she was allowed to give voice, and it did strange things to her mind. She wondered at herself, because she had been taught to control her emotions as she controlled her words and even her thoughts."

Morgaine knew she was imperfect. She felt anger, she felt conflicted, and in this way it makes me love her more when she has her moments of confidence. Morgaine is a real woman, and in this way I feel that the story is more feminist than if she was written as an untouchable, godly figure. Similar to many girls, including me (especially me...) she is smart, skilled, and special, but resorts to self loathing when the man she likes rejects her for somebody...prettier.

The Ugly Duckling

I don't know about many of you, but my mind immediately went to middle and high school during this part of the story. (Time to recall blocked out memories...yay!) How many of us have been given attention by that special person? How many of us have skipped home from the bus stop because the cutest person in the world looked in our direction, smiled at us, asked to be our partner for a project? And how many of us have ran home crying when that person has chosen someone else over us, especially when we feel that their new sweetheart is better than who we could ever be?

Luckily, not all guys are like this

 There's a complete change in emotions when this happens. One day you feel like you're walking on air, and the next you're noticing every flaw you have...the zit on your nose, your awkward hair, your extra fat, or lack of. Our self image, which should be dependent on ourselves, is dependent on the other person. And while this is wrong, while we look back at our younger selves and laugh, many of us are prone to doing it even today. I'm not calling us Hood College Arthurians needy, whiny people, I'm just saying we are human. And that when Morgaine is filled with sorrow, she is being human too.

It's this human side in characters that I love. It was brought out in Morgaine's flirtiness, her desires, her dreams, and in her shame. It was brought out in a fallen Arthur, asking the million dollar question, "Are people truly good?"  

“Leggo my Ego,” said Lancelet.

If the first excerpt from The Mists of Avalon were a music video, it would basically be for the song called The Worst by Jhene Aiko (not my typical choice, but Pandora plays it). Essentially, in the song (for those of you that don’t know it), the female singer is fighting an internal battle about loving a dude that she shouldn’t love. She repeats that she doesn’t need him, but admits that she wants him anyway, which kind of shines a light on the feminist/not-so-feminist scenes we highlighted in class. Although this song probably isn’t focusing on the empowerment of women and being independent from men, it’s still the song that came to mind while I was reading.

            I don’t really identify as a feminist, but I do appreciate reading about a sharp-tongued woman who socks it to an arrogant guy. Guys, don’t get offended; I’m sorry other dudes before you pushed an egotistical predisposition on you, but it’s awesome when a woman proves a narcissistic man wrong, especially when they prove to be more physically capable. You go ahead Morgaine with your bare legs and muscular endurance.

            I have a problem with how Morgaine handles herself in this passage, though. She’s supposed to be a strong, independent priestess who doesn’t need a man to complete her. But wait, she’ll completely lose her shit when Gwenhwyfar creates some competition for the man she shouldn’t even be in love with. She needs to hike up those skirts to fight that war going on in her head. I do feel bad for Morgaine, but I don’t. She’s all about saving herself for when the time is right, but she entertained the thought of ruining that for a guy that doesn’t even see her as an equal. I’m glad Gwenhwyfar came along because that moment brought Morgaine back to reality and her original morals of being a priestess. I guess everyone deserves a little temptation and false hope.

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