Idylls of the King

Name: Idylls of the King
Author: Baron Alfred Tennyson Tennyson

By Baron Alfred Tennyson Tennyson

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British Literature Mythology, Legends & Folklore Poetry

About This Book

A sequence of narrative poems retells the Arthurian saga, following the king’s rise and the creation of his Round Table through episodes of battle, courtship, and political tension. Individual idylls dramatize Merlin’s enchantments and downfall, the loyalty and betrayal surrounding Lancelot and Guinevere, and intimate tales such as Geraint and Enid, while the quest for the Holy Grail and competing loyalties progressively fracture the realm. The poems examine chivalry, ideal kingship, spiritual yearning, and the slow moral decline that culminates in loss, rendered in an elegiac, reflective tone.

About the Author

Tennyson, Baron Alfred Tennyson portrait

Baron Alfred Tennyson Tennyson

Baron Alfred Tennyson, a prominent Victorian poet, served as Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom during much of Queen Victoria's reign. He is celebrated for his lyrical poetry and mastery of meter, with works that explore themes of love, loss, and nature. Tennyson's notable collections include "Idylls of the King," which retells the Arthurian legends, and "In Memoriam," a poignant elegy for his close friend Arthur Hallam. His ability to blend personal emotion with broader philosophical questions has left a lasting impact on English literature, making him a key figure in the literary heritage of the 19th century.