The legendary Great King of Camelot, Arthur, is a well-known hero. Most famously recounted by Thomas Malory in Le Morte d’Arthur, Arthur drew the sword that had been fixed in a marble stone to determine who should rule the land. Only the one worthy and virtuous enough could remove the sword. Many knights and nobles attempted this feat, but none did so with Arthur’s virtue. He acted without pride, thinking only of his brother. “And so he handled the sword by the handles, and lightly and fiercely pulled it out of the stone, and took his horse and rode his way until he came to his brother Sir Kay, and delivered him the sword.” This act identified him as Britain’s next ruler. He would go on to unify the land through victories in Scotland and Wales, which solidified his claim as king.

Such “chosen one” narratives endure for good reason; they appeal to our own desire to be heroic. They hint that greatness already lives within us; all we need is a moment of magic to reveal it. The long years of obscurity will be replaced in a flash of destiny.

Contrast this tale with that of Galgano Guidotti.