How was King Arthur courageous?

In answering this question, two prongs exist. First of all, there may have been a realKing Arthur as the Tudor monarchs attempted to trace their lineage to a King Arthur whose mother was Igraine of Cornwall and father, Uther Pendragon. This Arthur is said to have fought in countless skirmishes. However, the main focus of this question would concern the legendary Arthur who has influenced literature, art, music and society from the Middle Ages...

In answering this question, two prongs exist. First of all, there may have been a real King Arthur as the Tudor monarchs attempted to trace their lineage to a King Arthur whose mother was Igraine of Cornwall and father, Uther Pendragon. This Arthur is said to have fought in countless skirmishes. However, the main focus of this question would concern the legendary Arthur who has influenced literature, art, music and society from the Middle Ages to the present.

As a warrior, Arthur faced death in many battles, not only with the Saxons, but also the Barbarians, as he conquered vast territories and, subsequently, went on to wage war with the Romans. Thus, his bravery and heroism in battle is illustrated, and he was dubbed dux bellorum, leader of battles (Camelot and Arthurian Legend: Arthur online 4/27/98).

However, his courage may be best illustrated as the chivalrous Christian hero who embodies the characteristics of an epic hero that consists of having the skills of a great warrior, completing deeds of great strength and courage, traveling over a vast setting, having humility, and obtaining supernatural help. All of these characteristics take courage. First of all, his bravery is shown in his skills in countless battles driving off the invading Saxons and uniting Britain. Secondly, his deeds of great strength and courage include the search for the Holy Grail, the cup from which Jesus drank at the last supper, and countless skirmishes with giants, witches, and monsters. Next, he travels over a vast setting requiring bravery as his battles and quests take him all over a very dangerous Europe. Arthur's humility with his Knights of the Round Table also requires fearlessness as the notion of equality between a King and his people was unheard of at the time. Arthur then becomes a Defender of the Weak, illustrating his strength of character. Lastly, Arthur receives supernatural aid from Merlin the wizard. This allows him to pull the sword (Excalibur) out of the stone and cements his position as King, thus his reign in Camelot is identified with a Golden Age of peace and tranquility in an era of violence.

It can be said that the legend of King Arthur is an allegory; that is, a tale that depicts a moral lesson which consists of the battle between good and evil. That battle requires a courageous epic hero such as King Arthur.