Dungeons, Dragons, and the Legend of King Arthur
Dungeons and Dragons: A Tabletop Legacy
Dungeons & Dragons: Twice a week, Robert meets his friends to play the role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). He says he loves the game because, "I get to be stronger, wiser, and smarter than I am in real life."
In 1974, Dungeons & Dragons was created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. Based on legends, there is a wide variety of characters. There are now hundreds of more popular role-playing video and computer games dominating the market.
King Arthur: Fact or Fantasy?
Is the story of King Arthur fact or fantasy? Many experts don't think King Arthur and his knights ever existed. Others believe the legends are based on a real person.
The Sword in the Stone
After the King of England died, there was no one to be king. Then a sword appeared with the inscription: "Whoever can pull me out of the stone is the true King of England." Many tried and failed. A major tournament was arranged. Sir Ector and Wart went to stay in a tavern in London so Kay could participate in the tournament. They left the tavern to go to the tournament, but Kay forgot his sword and sent Wart back for it. When Sir Ector realized the truth, he declared Arthur the king.
The Linguistic Origin of the Legend
Some experts think Arthur was a Celtic warrior fighting the enemy Saxons. The Latin word for stone was saxo. So, instead of writing "Arthur took the sword from the Saxon" to describe how Arthur killed a Saxon warrior and took his sword, the scribe wrote "Arthur took the sword from the stone." A legend was born.
Essential Vocabulary
- Armour: Armadura
- Arrange: Tramitar
- Based on: Sobre la base de
- Battle: Batalla
- Collapse: Colapso
- Desire: Deseo
- Dice: Dados
- Dominate: Dominante
- Dragon: Dragón
- Fantasy: Fantasía
- Imagination: Imaginación
- Knight: Caballero
- Legend: Leyenda
- Lock: Bloqueo
- Magic: Magia
- Raise: Aumentar
- Realise: Darse cuenta
- Record: Registro
- Servant: Criado
- Sword: Espada
- Tournament: Torneo
- Warrior: Guerrero
- Wise: Sabio
- Wizard: Mago
- Arms: Las armas
Communication and Body Language Terms
- Confusing: Confuso
- Disturb: Molestar
- Eyes: Ojos
- Firm: Firme
- Follow: Seguir
- Go abroad: Ir al extranjero
- Hands: Las manos
- Handshake: Apretón de manos
- Head: La cabeza
- Hug: Abrazo
- Index finger: Dedo índice
- Indicate: Indican
- Limps: Cojea
- Mild: Leve
- Nod: Inclinación de cabeza
- Passenger: Pasajeros
- Pastime: Pasatiempo
- Shake: Agitar
- Sign: Signo
- Slightly: Ligeramente
- Smile: Sonrisa
- Specific: Específica
- Thumb: Pulgar
- Touch: Toque
- Wink: Guiño
- Worthless: Sin valor