Why Are Arthurian Legends So Popular?

Why Are Arthurian Legends So Popular?

It is wholly possible that you have come across an adaptation of Arthurian legend at some point in your life. After all, there have been so many interpretations across varying genres and media that an entire Wikipedia page has been dedicated to listing them all. One of the most well-known works includes Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur. It has been deemed the most extensive and culturally important work based on Arthurian legends. This is because it goes in-depth into the histories of many characters, notably the more prominent Knights of the Round Table and Arthur himself. Le Morte d’Arthur has inspired other great works, such as T.H. White’s The Once and Future King. Arthurian legends have also been often referenced in parodies, such as Monty Python and the third Shrek movie. With all these different retellings of Arthurian legend, it becomes clear that they are widely celebrated even within pop culture. That leads us to the question, why are Arthurian legends so popular in the first place?

Memento Mori: Finding Solace in Death

Memento Mori: Finding Solace in Death

“Death is the wish of some, the relief of many, and the end of all.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca

There are very few things in life that are promised. Just having a dream does not necessarily set you up for success, nor does having stellar grades guarantee you a lavish future basked in stardom and wealth. Nobody is obligated to owe you anything, especially not life itself. Certainly, it can be easy to forget this axiom in life as we trudge through the ebb and flow of our own life. However, buried in our quest to derive some value of meaning in our own lives, we may tend to forget about the present as we gravitate toward the future and its potential. We all believe that the status quo will remain as we selfishly progress with our journey. Yes, in our blinded pursuit, we tend to start taking things (people) for granted until one day, when we lift our heads, and they are no longer there, all that is left behind are the wisps of memories and emotions left behind that seem all too ephemeral at this point. 

Yay or Nay: Dark Humour

Yay or Nay: Dark Humour

Disclaimer

The following article discusses topics of a sensitive nature which may be disturbing and/or controversial to some readers. Hence, reader discretion is advised. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the article belong solely to the author and do not reflect or represent  Sunway University and Sunway College’ values.

In Books: The Rainbow Era of LGBTQ+ Love

In Books: The Rainbow Era of LGBTQ+ Love

We’ve had the star-crossed lovers of District 12; Katniss and Peeta from The Hunger Games. We’ve had the tragic love story of two cancer-stricken teens; Augustus and Hazel from The Fault in Our Stars. We’ve even had the tension-filled confused romance of Hermione and Ron from The Harry Potter series. 

But all of these stories revolve around straight romances causing many queer readers to feel underrepresented in their favourite books (I, Asareel, would have given my right arm and a cheese toastie to read Harry and Draco snogging in the loo – Drarry was real and no one can tell me otherwise).

Beers and Skittles: Behind the Doors of the House of Gucci

Beers and Skittles: Behind the Doors of the House of Gucci

If there’s one thing I took away from watching Ridley Scott’s ‘House of Gucci’, it would be that Patrizia Reggiani (or Patrizia Gucci, which she prefers to be referred to as) is as ruthless as she is stylish. Based on Sara Gay Forden’s 2001 book titled ‘The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour and Greed’, ‘House of Gucci’ offers a peek inside the scandalous Gucci household in the 80s and 90s. This biopic focuses on the tumultuous married life of Maurizio Gucci and Patrizia Reggiani which ultimately culminates in murder.