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Megan Castro
Ms. Borgoia
AP English Language A
14 April 2014
A Road to Heaven: The Holy Grail
The Holy Grail, a blessed cup which holds the promises of
adventure, glory, wealth, and happiness, maintains the central
focus during the Middle Ages. The cup is a symbol for quests the
Knights venture on, in which can withhold more value and
knowledge than the Grail itself. The Grail is not just a cup, but
a key factor in Arthurian mythology; without the Holy Grail, the
Knights would neither have an ultimate goal to work towards nor
quests to partake in. The fulfilling Quest for the Holy Grail
serves the purpose to motivate the Knights desires for wealth,
adventure, immortality, and honor. The Quest also fulfills
Arthurian mythology by providing insight into Christianity, as
well as the honor code.
As an icon respected for many centuries, the Holy Grail
greatly impacts the development of the Knights of the Round
Table. Consequentially, Arthurian Mythology has to be modified as
well. Believed to originate from Biblical times, the Holy Grail
is the chalice utilized at the Last Supper to hold the blood of
Christ (Grace). The significance of the obtainment of the Grail
would almost be equivalent to receiving a piece of Heaven
(Grace). The Knights are Christian, and by receiving the Holy
Grail that contains Jesus is of high importance (Grace). The

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recipient of the Holy Grail would perceive it as an opening to
eternal life with God, in which would strengthen his faith with
God. The Grail serves the purpose to exhibit the determination of
the Knights faith, and their aspiration for wealth.
With the Holy Grail of upmost importance to the Knights, the
Grail is perceived as the ultimate goal. By obtaining this
magnificent piece of bejeweled metal, a Knights life would be
achieved and deemed successful. The Knight could then enter
Heaven and receive eternal happiness and grace due to Gods
presence (Quest of the Holy Grail). The significance of the
religion aspects tied into the Grail exemplifies the role
Christianity plays in the Middle Ages and Camelot. To another
person from a foreign land, the Holy Grail would be sought after
for its physical beauty. However, in the Knights perception of
the cup, the chalice also signifies happiness and contains
special powers to be received upon obtainment.
Yet, the physical procurement of the Holy Grail is not
needed for the Knights to receive the Holy presence or to have a
revelation. The Holy Grail is the ideal treasure for the Knights,
but can have equal worth as the quest itself. Throughout the
quest, the quester encounters many dangers and obstacles, in
which self-revelation can be achieved through the solving of each
enigma (Quest of the Holy Grail). Quests are important because
the Knights venture on quests in order to gain insight into the
Holy Grail, and the Grail is used as motivation (Quest of the

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Holy Grail). Throughout ones quest, the obstacles and
encounters with various people and objects can teach life lessons
as well as provide a deeper meaning for ones faith (Quest of
the Holy Grail). It then came to the realization that God is
with the Knights on their quests the entire time. Yet this
information is subordinate to the physical procurement of the cup
because of its beauty and the achievement it stands for.
Throughout these quests, the Knights have to be strongly
motivated, for the journey is quite long and dangerous. Honor and
wealth are the source of fuel for the Knights desire for the
Holy Grail. Along with the possession of the Grail, honor is to
be deemed among the Knight, as well as his ancestors and
descendents. In the High Middle Ages, the chivalric code the
Knights followed is based around honor. Of upmost importance to
the Knights, the chivalric code must be exemplified at all times
(Alchin). The key points of the code that are upheld include "a
high sense of honor," as well as the love [for] adventure
(Broughton 108). The importance of honor in the chivalric code
suggests that the Knights lives are based on a standard of honor
(Broughton 108). In their eyes, the Grail stands for an
undisputable and unlimited amount of honor. The discovery of the
sacred chalice would bring the Knight closer to God, and
spiritual as well as monetary wealth would be gained. The honor
deemed upon the Knight relates as fame today, and the Knight

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would become the favorable center of attention. Through this
honor, the status of the Knight is elevated and praised; the
Knight has completed a perilous journey while encountering
difficult obstacles and upholding the chivalric code (Alchin).
The honor brought upon the Knight also displays ones courage,
determination, and loyalty (Broughton 108), in which is greatly
respected in the High Middle Ages. Though a long quest, the
spiritual value of the Holy Grail is unmatched (Quest of the
Holy Grail), for it succeeds all others. The honor to be deemed
would only be unique to the one Knight, for no one else could
achieve that same quest.
The search for the Grail, a journey attempted by many
Knights, proves to be dangerous, yet rewarding. Danger lurks in
every nook and cranny, for attacks by thieves or enemies,
illness, and Mother Nature all are in play. To add onto the
peril, most Knights are not destined to find the Holy Grail, such
as King Arthur, and face these dangers with no reward. Only a
select few are prophesied to succeed on their Quest, such as Sir
Galahad (Sir Galahad). Those few do not face many hazards, but
those who are not predetermined to achieve this task end up
wounded or dead (Lupack). They are not perceived as pure (Sir
Galahad). Besides, only Sir Galahad and the other two Knights
have the five requirements for it to be deemed a complete quest.
In Le Morte DArthur, Sir Galahad is traveling to the location of

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Carbonek/ Sarras in order to encounter the Holy Grail, and
happens to be on this journey because it was prophesized. He
faces challenges in Le Morte DArthur, such as healing people,
pulling swords and putting them back together, and encountering
obstacles. The underlying motivation as to why he went on the
Quest is to find the Grail for its symbolic wealth, and he is
destined to achieve his goal.
Prophecy determines which Knight will achieve this goal
(unbeknown to them), yet religion still plays key role in the
Holy Grail Quest. The cup stems from Christianity in which Jesus
had contact with the Grail (Grace), and the right Quester will
also encounter Gods presence through the Grail (Grace). Without
the religion of Christianity, the Knights would not visit upon
this quest, for it would not offer as much wealth and spiritual
satisfaction. Faith strongly drives them, as well as the
procurement of eternal life or spiritual wealth in God. The
necessity of practicing Christianity in the Middle Ages makes an
impact in the chivalric code, for the Church stands before anyone
else. (Alchin). Without Christianity, the Knights would not have
their same values, altering the code and society in which they
live in.
As the Knights are dependent upon Religion, so is Arthurian
mythology dependent upon the Holy Grail. Arthurian mythology is
the study of the legends of Arthur and the Round Table, as well
as the adventures they encounter. The Grail becomes a main focus

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for Arthur and his Round Table, making it the epitome of
treasure. It provides a goal for the Knights, an adventure, and a
story. Without the Holy Grail being held to the highest standard
possible, the Knights lose motivations to go on these quests,
which play a major role in mythology. These quests prove the
value of the Grail, and help explain the importance of prophecy.
The select few are regarded as honorable, for they have witnessed
God, and have become the epitome of knighthood (part of the
chivalric code). Arthur and his Knights treat this quest with
respect, deeming it the most honorable and noble of quests
throughout Camelot.
As a critical symbol in Arthurian mythology, the Holy Grail
exemplifies the necessity of religion in Arthurian mythology as
well. Without Christianity, the Holy Grail has no value to the
Knights. Sir Galahad exemplifies the importance of religion in
Arthurian mythology through Le Morte DArthur, for the sight and
encounter of the Holy Grail leads him into Heaven. He executes
dangerous tasks such as sitting on Siege Perilous, and survives,
due to the prophecy and reassurance of God (Sir Galahad).
Through the story of Sir Galahad, religion is deemed as important
as the Grail itself, for Gods presence saves him.
Apart from religion and the Holy Grail, quests are also
deemed valuable to Arthurian mythology. The main purpose of
quests for Knights is self-revelation, and to achieve the goal
they set out to do (Grace). The Holy Grail Quest furthers

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Arthurian mythology because it involves the Knights of the Round
Table, and it upholds the standard as the epitome of quests.
Through a direct connection with God via Holy Grail and a
lifetime in Heaven, the Grail Quest remains at the top (The
Quest for the Holy Grail). The cup symbolizes the road to Heaven
a Knight must take, and the obstacles that he must overcome.
Through the Holy Grail Quest, only one successor, Sir Galahad,
stands out, and he is deemed the perfect Knight (Sir Galahad)
due to his ability to retain the Knightly qualities and his
ability to remain chaste. Honor is also bestowed upon him, and
his ancestors. This furthers Arthurian mythology because it shows
the epitome of Knights, in which how he is different than King
Arthur himself. King Arthur is a leader, but Sir Galahad is
prophesized to succeed in this Quest. Although King Arthur is not
able to make a direct impact on the Quest itself, he does make an
impact in Arthurian mythology.
The Holy Grail has been an icon for Medieval Knights from
the very beginning, and it holds a deeper meaning. Through the
Quest for the Holy Grail, Knights are able to encounter selfrevelations as well as closer ties with God. The Quest of the
Holy Grail allows the Knights to explore pathways into heaven.
Not only are the Knights motivated by the promise of wealth and
adventure it brings, but also by honor they attempt to receive.
The Grail Quest furthers Arthurian mythology, and symbolizes a

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gateway to wealth and spiritual satisfaction for Knights to
achieve throughout the Middle Ages.

Works Cited
Adolf, Helen. Visio Pacis, Holy City and Grail: An Attempt at an
Inner History of the Grail Legend. University Park, PA:
Pennsylvania State UP, 1960. Questia School. Web. 23 Jan.
2014.
This source helped me in recognizing the different traits of
a quest and the thoughts of the Knights who dared to venture

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on the quest, as well as those who did not choose to take up
the quest.
Alchin, Linda. "Knights Code of Chivalry." Knights Code of
Chivalry. Lords and Ladies, 16 July 2012. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.
This source helped me to realize a deeper understanding of
the importance of the chivalric code, and all of which it
entails. This includes the religious aspect of it, and the
honor bestowed upon the recipient.
Barron, W. R. J., ed. The Arthur of the English: The Arthurian
Legend in Medieval English Life and Literature. Cardiff,
Wales: University of Wales, 1999. Questia School. Web. 11
Nov. 2013.
This document helped me to delve further into the depths of
Arthurian Mythology, and to learn a few key facts about it.
Broughton, Bradford B. Dictionary of Medieval Knighthood and
Chivalry: Concepts and Terms. New York: Greenwood, 1986.
Questia School. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
This source helped me to define the true meaning of chivalry
according to the Knights, and how it was used in the High
Middle Ages.
Grace, Sr. Madeleine. "Library : The Quest for the Holy Grail -

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Catholic Culture." Library : The Quest for the Holy Grail Catholic Culture. Trinity Communications, n.d. Web. 22 Jan.
2014.
This article helped me to decipher the role religion played
in Arthurian Mythology and on the quests the Knights
ventured on. It also helped gave me a better understanding
of the Grail, what it meant for the Knights, and the
religious origin of the Grail.
Lupack, Alan. "The Holy Grail." Robbins Library Digital Projects.
University of Rochester, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
This website helped me to learn about the Knights that did
not go on this Quest, the Knights that were determined to go
on this Quest, and those who were prophesied about. It
helped me learn about Arthurian Mythology as well, and Sir
Galahad.
Nicholson, Helen. Love, War, and the Grail. Boston: Brill, 2001.
Questia School. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
This source was greatly beneficial to my paper, for it
provided information on the Knights during this era, and an
educational background on them.
"Quest of the Holy Grail." Quest of the Knights of the Holy
Grail. Knights of the Holy Grail, n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.

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This website helped me to understand the motivations of the
Knights, what the Grail meant to them, their background, and
religious affiliation. This website was very helpful to me,
for it provided specific information regarding the Knights.
Rubin, Norman A. "Defining the Myths and Legends of the Holy
Grail - NewMyths.com." Defining the Myths and Legends of
the Holy Grail. NewMyths.com, 1 Dec. 2012. Web. 25 Oct.
2013.
This website helped me to determine different myths and
facts about the Holy Grail, and it helped me to gain a
clearer understanding of it.
Scherer, Margaret R. About the Round Table. New York: N.p., 1945.
Questia School. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
This document gave me a deeper understanding about Arthur
and his Knights of the Round Table, and what the Grail meant
to them.
Scudder, Vida D. Le Morte Darthur of Sir Thomas Malory & Its
Sources. New York: E.P. Dutton, 1917. Questia School. Web.
24 Jan. 2014.
This source was greatly beneficial, for it gave me a better
understanding of the myths of Arthurian Legend, and the
story of Le Morte DArthur. It helped me to find out more

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about different Knights, and their relationship to Arthur
and/or journey for the Grail.
"Sir Galahad." Sir Galahad. Arthurian Adventure, n.d. Web. 22
Jan. 2014.
This website gave me a deeper understanding as to the
motivation of Sir Galahad, his story, and his encounter with
the Grail. It also gave me a better background on his
relationship to Arthur, and his Quest.
Slocum, Sally K., ed. Popular Arthurian Traditions. Bowling
Green, OH: Bowling Green State University Popular, 1992.
Questia School. Web. 11 Nov. 2013.
This source provided educational backgrounds as to Arthurian
Mythology, Arthur and his Knights, and the importance of the
Grail.
Tennyson, Alfred Lorde. "Sir Galahad." Robbins Library Digital
Projects. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
This site helped me learn more about Sir Galahad and gave me
his story.

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