HOW TO EXPLAIN THE GRAIL
Posted by anthonynorth on June 10, 2008
The Holy Grail is an enduring mystery. However, it is often difficult to define just what it is. Traditionally, it is thought to be the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper, but its meaning has gone far beyond this physical artifact.
Rather, it is often seen as symbolic of enlightenment in the mind. It is the quest for the mystical experience, and a connection with the God-head. By connecting, you reach a state of purity.
Many myths have gathered around the Grail.
Typical are those concerning King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. In this respect, the Grail Quest becomes one of aspiration, purity and bonding.
Of course, such myths and ideals are said not to play a large part in our lives. After all, it is just make-believe. But could it be that the purpose of Grail myths was to form a distinct mentality within society?
The Grail became synonymous with chivalric purity.
This was the ultimate way to be in Medieval times. The whole lifestyle of the Knight was geared around it. In this sense, it was a specific politicism.
Arguably, this was the purpose behind the writing of the Grail romances, such as those by Chretien de Troyes, slowly changing the original legends to represent the Medieval Knightly purpose.
In a way, this is quite worrying.
One of the most beautiful mythologies of Christianity actually turned into a form of social control. But then again, it could well have been remebered for this reason in itself.
The important point about the Grail quest is the idea of ‘purity’ or ‘perfection’. It is something to aim for in life. But there is a simple fact about perfection. It cannot ever be attained. We are human, and always have faults.
Icons have always appeared displaying perfection.
Typical is the ‘saint’. Such an icon was lauded in Medieval times to show what the person should aim for. Knowing it was impossible, this confirmed in the person the idea that he was a sinner.
In this way, the person at least tried to better himself. But this was only achievable in a system that confirmed the idea of perfection to be attained. Thus, the authorities behind the ideal had, in the idea of perfection, the ultimate form of control over the person.
We can, of course, say we’ve left such things behind. Yet, today we have a ‘celebrity’ culture, populated by people who we class as having the ‘perfection’ of lifestyle or beauty. And it is the purpose of the typical western citizen to aspire to this ideal.
This is done through consumerism, where the celebrity urges us to buy, buy, buy. And of course, deep down we know we cannot really be like them, thus we are imperfect, the modern equivalent of the sinner.
Thus, we have an impulse towards social control still active today after some 2,000 years, and just as potent as it ever was – albeit, represented in very different cultural clothes.
In personal terms, the Grail can be of great benefit to the person in finding themselves. But in wider society the process turns into something much more malign. We are often told that such subjects are of no value today.
The above suggests different. We maybe need to understand such concepts even more, for they can be the root to subservience.
© Anthony North, June 2008
See my essay, Holy Grail, for a more rounded discussion of this subject.
June 10, 2008 at 8:26 am
Aren’t all religious myths in some way a form of social control? Some are just better disguised than others.
June 10, 2008 at 8:33 am
Hi Robin,
Indeed. Infact most myths have a dual purpose. At the individual level they are life enhancing, whereas at the social level, they are life controlling.
But the point in the above is that the impulse also carries on into secular societies. We think, in today’s western world, we have left such things behind.
This was a reminder that we haven’t. It works, no matter what kind of society we have.
June 10, 2008 at 10:24 am
The stories themselves open up possibilities and become quests in themselves. This is the social aspect of literary art. When the interpretation of such literature is controlled by any one agency, then there is the danger of social control. We see that with the Christian fundamentalists running around today. They take a strictly literal reading of scripture based on their limited understanding of the words themselves and a predisposition for a specific outcome and, viola, they have the Word of God backing them up. And how many emotionally, spiritually, psychologically damaged people nodding along the better not to feel alone?
I think the same holds true for the saints. To learn their stories by reading them is to learn about flawed people trying to do right. To learn their stories in offical soundbytes from ecclesiastical officialdom is to submit to the social control you speak of. It also means apologizing for being human.
June 10, 2008 at 10:43 am
Hi Sandy,
Exactly. And the point is, this isn’t so much a religious mechanism, as a social one. Thus, it works equally well in ANY society.
I love what you say about saints being flawed people trying to do right. It reminds me of St Augustine of Hippo:
‘Lord, make me chaste; but not yet.’
June 10, 2008 at 11:57 am
The Grail is a quest for something beyond self and a connection with the mystery we call God. No matter how social and connected we are, we still travel alone through life.
June 10, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Hi Brian,
Very true, although the jury’s still out as to whether we’re still alone when we get there. And then there’s always those power-junkies trying to hitch a ride.
June 10, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I’ll have to be ultra-cynical here, AN, and say that I think the myth of “The Grail” is dragged out regularly to provide authors of books, screen writers and movie producers with a cash cow. Without the $$$$$ it brings in, the story would have sunk without trace centuries ago, in my opinion.
June 10, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Hi Twilight,
You may well be right specifically regarding the Grail in today’s world. But the idea of perfection in society, and the search for the god-head of which it is an echo, survive, I think.
Now, come on Tony, get writing ….
££££££££££
June 10, 2008 at 3:38 pm
This is so very true. Our celebrities are drug users, whack jobs, and their divorce rates are higher than any other group. Yet everyone wants to be like them. I think it’s for the money myself, but none-the-less. I think you nailed this one. Have a great day.
June 10, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Hi Sandee,
Thanks for that. Yes, these social impulses we think are reserved for religion are still alive and well.
June 10, 2008 at 10:58 pm
True, and your mention of subservience puts me onto the track one of my favorite things to hate in that respect—television. To me it’s one of the most facile disseminators of the elements of subservience. It’s the big box in the sky that a scary number of humans are mesmerized by on their couches every night from post-work to bedtime. Pardon me if I’ve done my Emily Litella thing again, but grails and icons are shiny things that catch my eye!
June 11, 2008 at 6:55 am
Hi Missalister,
I confess to watching some television on a night. But it’s certainly something that can become totally addictive and brain numbing. And made far worse by modern TV producers who increasingly serve up a diet of rubbish.
As part of a balanced lifestyle, I think it’s okay, but the overall damage to family life, death of culture and general subserviance it has created IS terrible.
June 12, 2008 at 2:19 am
“Traditionally, it is thought to be the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper, but its meaning has gone far beyond this physical artifact.”
Which is funny, because like many aspects, this origin has morphed over the years; at least when I was taught about the grail, back in the mid-80s, it wasn’t the cup Jesus used at the Seder but rather the chalice the Roman centurion used to catch Jesus’ blood after piercing his side with a spear. Which made it, of course, the only receptacle that literally came into contact with the actual, literal, biological blood of Jesus.
I tend to think the third Indy movie is what popularized the notion that Jesus actually used the grail during his life.
” I love what you say about saints being flawed people trying to do right. It reminds me of St Augustine of Hippo:
‘Lord, make me chaste; but not yet.’”
And then, of course, there’s the reformed order of Augustine: “Lord, forgive me for having been chaste.”
June 12, 2008 at 2:36 am
Excellent article Anthony. Its amazing to see how both scenerios (Grail/celebs) drive society. People often do bad things to emulate their celebrity heros. Yet, strangely enough, many of the greatest human trageties have been “justified” by religion. Examples that come to mind? Drug/alcohol abuse, acting out mannerisms that celebs do, even copying plots or scenes from movies. On the religious side - Crusades justified mass killings, terrorists carrying out acts in the hope of appeasing their higher authority. I may be wandering from the heart of your article but I hope you see my point. I cannot, however, leave out the good side of this. Many people give to charities endorsed by celebs and of course people do good deeds (donating time, feeding the hungry) in the name of their religion as well.
June 12, 2008 at 7:10 am
Hi Will,
What we must remember here is we’re talking about a mythology that has been adapted over centuries. Yes, at one point the Centurion idea was popular. However, in Grail literature the first definite linkage between the Grail and the Last Supper can be traced back to the 12th century.
Another variation has Joseph of Arimathea using the cup used at the Last Supper to catch the blood washed off Christ once he took charge of the body.
Hi Dantheman,
Yes I see your point, but I’d put it slightly different. Because of the violent language used in many early Scriptures, religion itself can be seen as violent. What we forget is that these Scriptures were simply written during more violent times, pre-human rights.
Now, the thing that srikes me about all the atrocities subsequently laid at the door of religion is that they all have a political/social reason behind them.
This leads me to suggest that the ‘bad’ here is the socio-political urge of many involved in a religious system. The problem with religion is its naivety in allowing power hungry people to rise within its scope.
The importance of this point is, of course, that in being ’social’ urges, then the excesses laid at the door of religion will still out in a society that claims not to be religious.
August 11, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I am going to make a comment with a different slant. The word “grail” only has a limited amount of meanings in the major dictionary I hold from the year 1861. This dictionary was the basis for the Webster Dictionary which was formed later.
In this dictionary there is no such thing as a Holy Grail mentioned. There is the idea that a grail could be a small stone/pebble, or that it is a “book of Romish Offices”.
I know that later dictionaries state the book version comes from a different root source, but I wonder how accurate this actually is!! In one of the french romances regarding Merlin’s life, not only does it mention Northumberland as the place where Merlin sent Blaise to reside, but Blaise was a priest who scribed Merlin’s thoughts, ideas, knowledge.
I have often wondered if the grail that the knights sook was actually the book that Merlin had dictated? At the time of the quest, Merlin has disappeared out of Arthur’s life. If he felt he was doing badly as a ruler then he may have wished to have Merlin’s wisdom?
Just a thought.
August 11, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Hi Carol,
A good thought. The ‘grail’ is a feast of mythology of all types, and pulls together many threads, none of which are proveable. So what you say is just as valid as the rest, I think.