Arthur is the main character in many stories and legends about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. He is usually depicted as a brave and noble king who unites Britain and establishes a peaceful and just kingdom. So does this legendary king ever transform into a magical creature like a dragon in the myths and tales about him? Let’s explore the question of whether King Arthur becomes a dragon in Arthurian legend.
The Origins of King Arthur
To understand if Arthur could become a dragon, we first need to examine the origins of his character. King Arthur likely originated from a historical figure who lived in Britain sometime between the 5th and 6th centuries AD during the Anglo-Saxon invasions of England. Several early Welsh and Latin sources mention a war leader named Arthur who fought against the invading Saxons. Over time, tales of this military leader grew into grander legends and stories of a mighty king.
In one of the earliest known Arthurian stories, the 9th century Latin text Historia Brittonum, Arthur is described as a dux bellorum or battle leader of the native Britons. He leads the Britons to 12 great victories over the Saxons, culminating in the major Battle of Mount Badon. Here Arthur is still a mortal man and warlord, not a king yet. But his character begins to take on mythical qualities, such as supposedly killing 960 Saxon enemies singlehandedly in one battle. This likely reflects exaggerations that grew as the oral traditions about Arthur were passed down over generations before being recorded.
The Legendary King Arthur
It is in the medieval French and Welsh romances that King Arthur emerges as the legendary monarch we know today. Works like the 12th century History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth transformed Arthur from a war hero into a mighty king ruling Britain from his court at Camelot. Geoffrey and later writers gave Arthur a royal origin as the son of Uther Pendragon and added story elements like the magical sword Excalibur, Arthur’s mentor Merlin the wizard, and the Knights of the Round Table.
So in these classic tales, Arthur is thoroughly established as a legendary British king, not a historical warlord. He is usually not portrayed with any magical abilities himself, only aided by magic like Excalibur and Merlin’s counsel. His knights like Sir Lancelot or Sir Gawain were more likely to go on magical quests while Arthur remained a mundane monarch. There are a few exceptions where Arthur journeys to mystical realms like Avalon, but overall the mythical elements center on the knights, not Arthur himself in early written legends.
Arthur in Modern Fiction
In more recent centuries, authors have expanded on the Arthurian legends and sometimes given King Arthur additional magical powers and abilities. In some modern fiction stories, he does indeed transform into a dragon or other fantastic creatures!
For example, in T.H. White’s popular The Once and Future King series started in 1938, Arthur is transformed into various animals by his wizard teacher Merlyn to learn important life lessons about power, justice and more. While he does not become a dragon, Arthur is changed into a fish, hawk, ant, goose and badger by Merlyn’s magic.
Another example is the 2002 novel Saving Grace by Lisa Jones Baker. In this story, King Arthur is able to shapeshift into a red dragon. Other magical abilities possessed by Arthur are stopping time and telepathy with animals.
So while Arthur does not shapeshift in the earliest medieval legends, some contemporary authors have granted him that power in their modern reworkings of the Arthurian mythos. They draw on the fantasy genre’s conventions to expand Arthur’s abilities for dramatic effect.
Dragon Symbolism in Arthurian Legend
If Arthur does not literally turn into a dragon in the classic myths, dragons are still an important symbol associated with him and his story. Here are some ways dragon imagery and meaning connect to King Arthur:
- Arthur’s father Uther Pendragon had “dragon” in his name. Some legends say he was given this epithet because he had two dragon statues erected at his castle entrance.
- Arthur defeated a red dragon, symbolic of Wales, to achieve supremacy over Britain according to Geoffrey of Monmouth.
- Arthur’s final battle against his illegitimate son Mordred features two dragons fighting as an omen. The red dragon defeats the white dragon, portending Arthur’s own death.
- Y Ddraig Goch, the red dragon, is used as a national symbol of Wales to this day. As a mythical Welsh king, Arthur is associated with this dragon emblem.
- In some legends, King Arthur is taken to Avalon to recover from wounds, which is ruled by the enchantress Morgan Le Fay. She is sometimes depicted as a shapeshifting dragon sorceress.
The connections between Arthur and dragons appear frequently in the myths as symbols of war, power, and prophecy. While he may not become a literal dragon in the classic legends, King Arthur is certainly linked to dragon imagery in important ways.
Conclusion
In summary, King Arthur does not shapeshift into a dragon within the original early medieval legends that first established his character. As a historical warlord evolved into a mythical king through bardic storytelling over centuries, he was not given inherent magical powers like a sorcerer. However, some modern authors have taken liberties with the Arthurian mythos and depicted Arthur transforming into a dragon or other beasts. And dragons remain key symbols associated with Arthur’s life and foretell his eventual downfall.
While a dragon-shifting King Arthur is not found in the definitive classic legends, the connection between Arthur and dragons is an integral part of the mythos. Modern fantasy writers have expanded on the ancient stories to envision astonishing new dragon abilities for the once and future king!
A Table Comparing Dragon Symbolism in Arthur’s Life
| Dragon Connection | Description | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Uther Pendragon name | Uther named Pendragon (dragon chief) for his dragon statues | Associates Arthur’s lineage with dragon symbolism |
| Red dragon defeat | Arthur’s victory over the native Welsh red dragon | Represented Arthur’s supremacy over all Britain |
| Dragons at Camlann | Red and white dragons fighting at Arthur’s last battle | Portended the defeat of Arthur and Britain |
| Y Ddraig Goch | The Welsh red dragon emblem | Connection to Arthur as a Welsh king |
| Morgan Le Fay | Arthur’s sorceress sister, sometimes a dragon | Magical dragon connection at Avalon |
The Evolution of King Arthur’s Character
Looking back at the development of the King Arthur legend provides insight into why he does not display inherent magical abilities like becoming a dragon in the early canonical myths. According to medieval scholar Dorsey Armstrong, Arthur evolved through three key stages:
- Arthur was originally a warlord praised for military success against the Saxons.
- Later myths transformed him into a king with a court and knightly companions.
- Still later, French writers focused on courtly romances and quests undertaken by his knights.
So the mythical figure of Arthur we know today emerged gradually over centuries. As a normal human warlord praised for martial skills, he did not have magical attributes added initially. His knights and companions tended to be theRecipients of supernatural qualities and fantastical adventures during the courtly romance era. So the canonical legends generally keep Arthur grounded as an exemplary king and warrior, while magic manifests through the people and items around him rather than Arthur himself.
It was only much later that some contemporary authors took liberties to portray Arthur with shapeshifting abilities and sorcerer powers. They drew inspiration from the fantasy genre’s flexible creative boundaries to envision a new dragon-changing Arthur. But this magical version strays from Arthur’s origins as a non-magical paragon of leadership on the battlefield and the throne.
Historical Basis
The historical Arthur was a warlord, not a sorcerer or king. This set the foundation for his no-nonsense early mythic portrayal focused on military strategy and governing.
Mythic Exaggerations
The legends exaggerated Arthur’s actual deeds into fantastic victories and conquests befitting a mighty king. But he remained mostly grounded compared to his magical companions.
Fantastical Embellishments
Later authors took liberties to transform Arthur from a mundane monarch into a powerful sorcerer with abilities like dragon shapeshifting. But this deviated from the canonical legendary literature.
Analyzing the Question of Arthur’s Dragon Transformation
Several analytical perspectives can also explain why Arthur does not shapeshift in the earliest legends and whether he should have this power added at all.
Historical Accuracy
The historical evidence we have for a warlord figure who inspired the Arthur stories makes no mention of him having any magical abilities. So adding supernatural qualities like turning into a dragon undermines the factual roots of Arthur’s character.
Legendary Consistency
The canon of Arthurian literature establishes Arthur as an exemplary king and warrior, but not a magician. Having him transform into a dragon would be too fantastical based on his classical legendary persona. It would also make Arthur less relatable and heroic.
Symbolic Meaning
Arthur transforming into a dragon could undermine the important symbolic value of dragons in his story – representing Arthur’s Welsh heritage, the prophecies of Merlin, and other omens. The dragon symbolism has more potency when reserved for props like Uther’s epithet and the red dragon of Wales rather than Arthur literally becoming one.
Character Agency
If Arthur could shapeshift at will, it might make him seem overpowered with too much magical agency. It would also reduce the need for his knights to go on quests if Arthur could solve issues himself using sorcery. Keeping Arthur as an inspiring leader rather than mighty sorcerer makes for a better story.
Modern Reinterpretation
Contemporary reworkings that show Arthur as a dragon or magician serve to creatively expand on the ancient legends for today. But these alternative portrayals are not consistent with Arthur’s core established character across the canonical myths.
How Might Arthur Plausibly Become a Dragon?
If a modern author did want to depict King Arthur transforming into a dragon in a creative way that plausibly aligns with the spirit of Arthurian legend, some possibilities include:
- Arthur could temporarily be transformed against his will into a dragon by a magical curse or enchantment, allowing him to ultimately break free and reverse the spell.
- Arthur might shapeshift using an external magical item borrowed or gifted from someone like Merlin, rather than having inherent powers.
- Arthur could gain the ability, but only use it sparingly for specific needed purposes to avoid seeming overpowered.
- The shapeshifting ability manifests only under very limited circumstances, such as Arthur needing it for a symbolic vision quest or spiritual journey.
- Arthur appears in the form of a dragon in a prophetic dream sequence rather than transforming physically in waking reality.
With thoughtful writing, it is possible for authors today to incorporate Arthur dragon shapeshifting in respectful continuity with the spirit of legend. But it takes careful handling to avoid undermining Arthur’s established mythical persona.
Significance of Dragons in British Legend
Dragons feature prominently in myths from across Britain, so their symbolism was readily available to associate with King Arthur. Here are some examples of other dragons in British folklore and legend:
Welsh Red Dragon – Y Ddraig Goch
The red dragon first appears in Welsh legend associated with Merlin. It featured in Arthur’s prophesied struggle over Britain and later became an icon of Wales.
White Dragon
The white dragon represented the invading Saxons that Arthur defeated according to Geoffrey of Monmouth. It returns as an omen of Arthur’s doom at the Battle of Camlann.
Dragon of Lludd and Llefelys
This giant dragon plagued Britain by fighting with another dragon before being put to sleep by alcohol according to Welsh myth.
Lambton Wyrm
The Lambton Wyrm was a huge serpentine dragon slain by a repentant knight in this English folktale.
Knucker Dragon
Sussex legends tell of this dragon that lived near Lyminster and was supposedly killed by a local man named Jim Puttock.
Draws toward a Close
With their frequent appearances in regional myths, dragons were prime symbols for inclusion in British legends like Arthur’s. While Arthur himself does not display draconic powers in the canonical tales, his story features dragons in important prophetic and symbolic capacities.
The Lasting Popularity of King Arthur
Arthurian legend has remained influential in literature and culture for centuries thanks to key elements that make it engaging across eras:
Idealized Medieval Setting
The Middle Ages backdrop of knights, castles, chivalry, and quests has timeless appeal as a romanticized historical era.
Moral Lessons
Arthur promotes ideals like justice, honor, courage, and compassion that resonate through the ages.
Supernatural Mysticism
Magic, prophecies, exotic creatures, and artifacts like Excalibur add excitement and wonder.
Complex Characters
Flawed, relatable figures like Arthur, Lancelot, and Morgana add psychological depth.
Expansive Mythology
Many stories and perspectives surround Arthur, allowing endless expansions and reinterpretations.
With its blend of medieval romance, mysticism, and character drama, the legend of King Arthur continues inspiring new generations after 1,500 years and counting.
Conclusion
In summary, while King Arthur does not possess the ability to transform into a dragon in the canonical early Arthurian literature, dragons are still symbolically linked to his character and destiny. Contemporary reimaginings have played with granting Arthur additional magical abilities like shapeshifting, but this deviates from his origins as a non-magical warrior king. The legends are products of their eras, evolving Arthur from a historical warlord, to a mythical monarch, to today’s sometimes fantastical portrayals. While literal dragon powers may not suit Arthur’s core persona, he remains visually and symbolically tied to dragons as embodiments of Britain, Wales, prophecies, and mystical awe within his enduring legend.