The Passing of King Arthur
This work is a retelling of the classic tale of King Arthur's final days. It explores themes of mortality, legacy, and the decline of chivalry. The narrative follows Arthur's journey from his battle with Mordred to his eventual death at Camlann. Along the way, he must confront the consequences of his own actions and the failure of his knights to uphold their codes of honor.
By James Baldwin · Genre: Arthurian Legend, Fantasy, Medieval Romance · 1,337 words
First lines
Whether there ever was a real King Arthur, or whether he lived only in the imagination of story-tellers and song writers, no one can tell. This much is true, however, that the history of his exploits and those of his Knights of the Round Table has existed in poetry and song for now almost a thousand years.
What this Textopian page supports
The Passing of King Arthur is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Baldwin, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Baldwin
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Arthurian Legend, Fantasy, Medieval Romance, Historical Fiction, Mythology
- Length: 1,337 words
- Structure: 1 section, 23 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Passing of King Arthur by James Baldwin
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Passing of King Arthur?
- How does this short story by James Baldwin fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Arthurian Legend first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Worm Ouroboros by E. R. Eddison
- Le Morte Darthur by Thomas Malory
- King Arthur And His Knights by Thomas Bulfinch
- The Story Of Tuan Mac Cairill by James Stephens
- The Golden Fleece by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Valor Of Cappen Varra by Poul Anderson
Genres
- Arthurian Legend — The narrative centers on the legendary figure of King Arthur and his final moments, a key element of Arthurian lore.
- Fantasy — The story includes fantastical elements such as the magical sword Excalibur and the mystical island of Avilion.
- Medieval Romance — The text reflects the chivalric and romantic themes typical of medieval literature, focusing on noble knights and their quests.
- Historical Fiction — While based on legend, the narrative is set in a historical context, blending fact and fiction.
Tags
Fantasy · Arthurian Legend · Historical Fiction · Medieval Setting · Quest Narrative · Coming of Age · Friendship · Loyalty · Betrayal · Magic · Sword and Sorcery · Hero's Journey