In the Broadway dramatization of the legend about medieval England (Camelot), King Arthur objects to the logic that ‘might is right’. Instead, he envisions his Camelot as the heart of a new order of chivalry committed to the idea of ‘might for right’. Heralds announce Arthur’s dream and soon the map of England is covered with the royal seal as knights from across land and sea join the Knights of the Round Table. When Lancelot and Queen Guenevere betray Arthur “in their hearts”, he momentarily tilts toward revenge, but recovers, determined not to let passions destroy the dream. However, even as peasants report that their villages no longer need door locks and their children walk free on the roads, insurrection stirs among the knights. Finally forced to set punishment for Lance and Guenevere, Arthur sees the Round Table die. Once Lancelot rescues Guenevere from the stake and flees across the channel to his castle in France, battle is inevitable. The knights thirst again for what Arthur knows to be “that most worthless of causes -- revenge”.
While putting on his armor at dawn on the day of battle, Arthur despondently recalls to himself all they had been through for “the idea” and sees only folly. Then he hears rustling in the nearby brush and calls out, “Who’s there?” A young lad sheepishly steps out, expressing his intent to be a knight. Arthur asks the stowaway how he had decided on this “extinct profession”. The boy enthusiastically responds, “Only by the stories people tell -- might for right . . . right for right . . . justice for all . . . the round table where all knights will sit”. After knighting the boy Sir Tom of Warwick, Arthur -- the gleam in his eyes restored -- orders the boy:
The ‘gospel of Jesus’ is more than the memory of an idea; it is an announcement. In the Jewish man ‘Jesus’ of Nazareth, for a fleeting moment light shown uniquely in our midst, the will of ‘God’ was done on earth; mercy and justice merged. ‘Jesus’ sent his disciples into the world to keep alive, by life and thought, his good news of a way of life so extraordinary as to meet injurious aggression by the seemingly foolish and impossible standard of turning the other cheek.
That a trace of what he envisioned may endure is his legacy.
While putting on his armor at dawn on the day of battle, Arthur despondently recalls to himself all they had been through for “the idea” and sees only folly. Then he hears rustling in the nearby brush and calls out, “Who’s there?” A young lad sheepishly steps out, expressing his intent to be a knight. Arthur asks the stowaway how he had decided on this “extinct profession”. The boy enthusiastically responds, “Only by the stories people tell -- might for right . . . right for right . . . justice for all . . . the round table where all knights will sit”. After knighting the boy Sir Tom of Warwick, Arthur -- the gleam in his eyes restored -- orders the boy:
Hide behind the lines till the battle is over. Then return to England alive to grow up and grow old. Ask every person if he has heard the story and tell it strong and clear if he has not. Don’t let it be forgot that once there was a spot for one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot. Now shout it out with love and joy!To which inspired Tom responds, “Camelot! Camelot!”
The ‘gospel of Jesus’ is more than the memory of an idea; it is an announcement. In the Jewish man ‘Jesus’ of Nazareth, for a fleeting moment light shown uniquely in our midst, the will of ‘God’ was done on earth; mercy and justice merged. ‘Jesus’ sent his disciples into the world to keep alive, by life and thought, his good news of a way of life so extraordinary as to meet injurious aggression by the seemingly foolish and impossible standard of turning the other cheek.
That a trace of what he envisioned may endure is his legacy.
