Book description
Tennyson had a life-long interest in the legend of King Arthur and
after the huge success of his poem 'Morte d'Arthur' he built on the
theme with this series of twelve poems, written in two periods of
intense creativity over nearly twenty years. Idylls of the King traces
the story of Arthur's rule, from his first encounter with Guinevere and
the quest for the Holy Grail to the adultery of his Queen with Launcelot
and the King's death in a final battle that spells the ruin of his
kingdom. Told with lyrical and dreamlike eloquence, Tennyson's depiction
of the Round Table reflects a longing for a past age of valour and
chivalry. And in his depiction of King Arthur he created a hero imbued
with the values of the Victorian age - one who embodies the highest
ideals of manhood and kingship.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson was born in 1809, the son of a clergyman. His
only occupation was as a poet and he was made Poet Laureate in 1850,
accepting a peerage in 1883. He is most known for In Memoriam, a
speculation on mortality. He died in 1892.
J. M. Gray has been an editor, schoolteacher, university lecturer
and author. He is also a published poet, under the name Martin Gray.
