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Idylls of the King

By Alfred Lord Tennyson
Penguin Classics
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Idylls of the King presents Alfred Lord Tennyson's poetic vision of King Arthur's legendary reign. Spanning twelve poems, the work chronicles Arthur's rise, his meeting with Guinevere, the quest for the Holy Grail, the betrayal of Launcelot and Guinevere, and Arthur's eventual death in battle, leading to the fall of his kingdom. Tennyson's lyrical and evocative language paints a picture of a noble age of chivalry and valor, with Arthur embodying Victorian ideals of leadership and honour.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$5100

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers interested in classical poetry, Arthurian legend, and Victorian literature, as well as those fascinated by themes of heroism, honour, and medieval romance.

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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. The author's depiction of the Round Table reflects a longing for a past age of valour and chivalry.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Tennyson's version of the life of King Arthur

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.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140422535

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 May 1983

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Edited by J. Gray

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 284g

Pages: 384

Collections

Alfred Lord Tennyson Arts & Culture Classic Fiction Non-Fiction Penguin Black Classics Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: Arts & Culture Penguin Classics: Poetry Poetry

About the Author

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.

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