I just wanted to know what everybody's opinion was.
2007-08-29 15:42:39 · 7 answers · asked by CASEY F 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
Excalibur was put in the stone by King Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon, and could only be removed by the 'true' king. It is usually referenced as an act that can only be consumated by a person of pure heart and willing to sacrifice what it takes to get the job done.
2007-08-29 16:00:16 · answer #1 · answered by momatad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The union of masculine & feminine is a useful interpretation, but there is a more subtle meaning to the story as a whole. The joining of stone and sword led to the birth of a new "king" - i.e., it symbolizes the creation of the next generation, particularly the next leader. Removing the sword from the stone is Arthur's way of symbolically "undoing" his status as somebody else's child - as long as the symbol of his creation remained in existence, he would remain a child of that union. By breaking that union, he manages to claim his place in the world as a grown man - someone who is no longer anybody's child. It is the act of one who has grown up and is ready to assume their role as leader either of their family or of their kingdom.
Naturally, one could also say "her" as easily as "he" - but in the ancient world, men and women were seen as having very different ways of "ruling". In those days, the stone & sword would only have been seen as a masculine symbol. The equivalent symbol for a woman of the era would be the Lady of the Lake - it were she who captured the sword when it was thrust into the Lake, and it will be she who returns the sword to the king upon his return. This is a very basic symbol - women are dark and mysterious to men (thus her virtual invisibility in the hidden depths of the lake), and it is this same mystery which bestows upon a man interest in her, or "the creative urge" - i.e., the sword of power which only her true king can ever lay claim to.
Very romantic symbology, though I'm more intrigued by the symbology of Merlin, himself. Child of a demon, the maker of kings - _such_ a potent type of individual in times and places where kings and priests still rule.
2007-08-29 16:16:09 · answer #2 · answered by uncleclover 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only pure intention could remove the sword. No one could deceive the stone to become king if he had not a good heart.
2015-06-13 14:46:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the sword is the god, and the stone is the goddess. it represents the sacred rite of the union of god and goddess. arthur pulling the sword from the stone signified that he was divinely ordained.
2007-08-29 16:00:54 · answer #4 · answered by bad tim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the preordained god given right to rule in righteousness and purity.
2007-08-29 15:50:40 · answer #5 · answered by revtobadblack 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a sharp thing inside of a round hard thing
2007-09-02 08:03:38 · answer #6 · answered by BUY A WEBKINZ 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
superstitious heroics it's a fantasy just like merlin turning frogs into warriors and princes
2007-08-29 16:10:44 · answer #7 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋