Marco Is a Bad Boy

Happiness Comes When Everything Numbs

While I was reading Avalon High, Will's stepbrother Marco reminded me of Jason Dean (aka J.D.) from Heathers. Maybe what Ellie's friends say about Marco is true, or maybe it's all empty rumor—maybe he didn't actually attempt to kill Mr. Morton—but there's still something off about him. In "Freeze Your Brain" (from the Heathers musical), there's clearly something off about J.D. (Y'all know he's also a creepy, good-looking, murderous teen in a high school story, right?) Oh, and he's lost a parent, too, just like Marco.

Avalon High School Musical

I picked this song because as I was reading the first part of the book, the first thing that came to my mind was "Man, this reads exactly like one of those Disney Channel tween movies." I still stand by that thought.

New York, New York

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUrUfJW1JGk

I imagine this song playing in the background when Arthur is answering questions at the beginning of the reading for today. Any time New York is mentioned in a TV show or movie this song plays in my head.

Launcelot the Heartbreaker

"Well, my lord, she is not the first young noblewoman to break her heart over you."

Elaine or Rapunzel?

Aside from the fact that this is just a peppy song in general, I couldn't help but compare Rapunzel to the Lady of Shalott from the poem. Like Rapunzel, our Lady starts out pretty positive about her experience, but then you start to see how isolated, lonely, and bored she is. Plus, they're both shut up in towers singing their hearts out, which obviously makes them the same person.

The Green Knight

I picked Bad by Michael Jackson because when I imagine the Green knight walking up to King Arthur's castle, I see him listening and dancing to this. He is an intimidating man in the court with his size, characteristics, and given challenge to the knights. At this scene he is portrayed pretty badass.

Knights Never Wanna Kiss the Girl

I selected this song for the scene(s) between Gawain and the host’s wife when she’s attempting to seduce him. Also, we watched the Little Mermaid in HON470 so it’s been stuck in my head. Enjoy.

Sir Gawain the Chivalrous Pimp

Throughout the whole exchange between Gawain and the host's wife I couldn't help but think how much of a pimp Gawain was. The wife constantly wished how much she picked Gawain over her own husband and how she's heard many stories of him and how he would never allow a woman to leave his chamber without lusting for a kiss. I SEE YOU GAWAIN!

Lancelot is Not a Bro

Lancelot, the Jim to Arthur's Roy, Mr. Steal-yo-girl, is just an all around pretty bad friend.  I can just see the Knight of the Cart bumping some Shaggy whenever the king grows suspicious of his queen and best friend.

Bon Jovi=The Knight of the Cart

I felt that the quest to find the find queen was mostly The Knight of the Cart hoping and praying that they would make it and eventually get there. This song reminded me of that while reading.

A Friend Like Arthur

Culhwch is told by his father that he doesn't have a chance of marrying Olwen, the daughter of the giant, unless he gets help from Arthur. Arthur, a distant cousin, really doesn't have much reason to help Culhwch, but he does anyway. The powerful King Arthur blesses the helpless young lad with six of his finest knights on his quest for love, just like how the Genie uses his magic to help Aladdin win the heart of Jasmine. All Culhwch really had to do was ask for help and Arthur gave it to him, not asking for anything in return. With Arthur's help in the form of his men, Culhwch is able to win Ysbaddaden's approval and Olwen's hand in marriage.

We could all hope for a friend like Arthur.

 

Arthur is The Man

In case the embedded vid doesn't work!

The common thread throughout Geoffrey of Monmouth's history of Arthur is that he is the capstone of kings: slaying giants, slicing heads in half, or just being a generous, religious monarch. Arthur is the best and brightest, and seems to think of himself as such. This song by The Killers seems to convey exactly what Geoffrey of Monmouth is trying to (if we take the lyrics as lyrics and ignore any social commentary). Arthur's carrying the crown, and nothing can bring him down.