The 2017 film "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" takes the Arthurian legend to a gritty, visceral place, using our familiar hero's tale as a powerful metaphor for the devastating consequences of childhood trauma. Arthur, ripped from his birthright and raised in the brutal underworld of Londinium, embodies the internal struggle of someone buried beneath the weight of shame and violence. His story, though fantastical, mirrors the universal human experience of betrayal, its rippling effects, and the potential for redemption.
The film draws a striking parallel with the fall of humanity in Genesis 3. Arthur's uncle, Vortigern, embodies the serpent's deceit, orchestrating a bloody coup that casts Merlin and the mages into hiding and leaving Arthur a witness to the carnage. Like Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden, Arthur is thrust into a harsh reality shaped by fear and mistrust. This resonates with Ed Welch's concept of "shame," a deep existential wound that erodes our sense of worth and isolates us from true connection. Just as Adam and Eve hid their shame (Genesis 3:7), Arthur submerges himself in the brutal underbelly, burying his true identity under layers of self-protection.
Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 6, reminds us that this "sinful nature" inherited from Adam's fall distorts our relationship with God and one another. Arthur's journey embodies this distorted reality. Shame fuels his violent outbursts, pushing him further away from his destiny and into self-sabotage. He wields weapons with ease, a symbol of the internal warfare waged against his worth. Curt Thompson, in "The Soul of Shame," describes how shame's deceptive whispers can lead us to believe we are unworthy of love and grace. Arthur echoes this struggle, fearing to claim his birthright and the responsibility it carries by wielding Excalibur.
Yet, within the film's dark tapestry, glimmers of hope catch the eye. Merlin, emerging from the shadows, represents the ever-present whisper of truth. He challenges Arthur to face his past, offering a mirror to the shame that defines him. This echoes the gospel's message, a call to confront our sins and receive God's forgiveness. Like Romans 5:20 proclaims, "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more."
And this is where Arthur truly rises. When he finally grasps the sword, Excalibur, forged from the flames of betrayal, it signifies a pivotal moment. He chooses to confront his shame, his past, and the demons they created. Taking up the sword becomes a metaphor for claiming his true identity as God's image bearer (Genesis 1:27), empowered by the grace offered through Christ's redemptive work.
New Testament passages like Romans 8:1 testify to this freedom: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." The shame that imprisoned Arthur begins to crumble as he embraces his calling. As the film progresses, we see this transformation reflected in his leadership, his compassion, and the rallying of the people around him. Arthur's journey exemplifies the possibility of stepping out of the shadows of shame and into the light of Christ's love, not just for ourselves, but for the world around us.
"King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" is not simply a medieval action film; it's a poignant and relatable parable that reminds us of the darkness we all face within. But, through the film's lens, we see that shame doesn't have to define us. Just as Arthur drew strength from Excalibur, we, too, can find our redemption in the transformative power of Christ's love. So, let us rise from the ashes of our own "Londiniums," take up the sword of truth, and step into the light of our true calling as sons and daughters of the King of Kings.