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13th out of 297 books
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876 voters
Idylls of the King
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...more
Paperback, 384 pages
Published
September 5th 1989
by Penguin Books Limited
(first published 1885)
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I have a beautiful, old edition of this book. I wish I could show you.
On the book marker, in old-fashioned cursive, it says,
Merry Christmas
To Lottie
from
Dora
Update:
This is a truly beautiful work. Enchanting. Mesmerizing, really.
There is just one little thing though...
I'd heard rumblings of this book being misogynistic. Loving Tennyson as I do, I refused to believe it. Basically, I read the book like this:
"Well, that's not necessarily sexist...Okay, it is. But, surely he didn't intend...Okay, he d...more
On the book marker, in old-fashioned cursive, it says,
Merry Christmas
To Lottie
from
Dora
Update:
This is a truly beautiful work. Enchanting. Mesmerizing, really.
There is just one little thing though...
I'd heard rumblings of this book being misogynistic. Loving Tennyson as I do, I refused to believe it. Basically, I read the book like this:
"Well, that's not necessarily sexist...Okay, it is. But, surely he didn't intend...Okay, he d...more
Idylls of the King by Alfred Lord Tennyson was etched into my memory as a famouse classic from an early age thanks to the card game, "Authors." So now, sixty years later, I finally got around to seeing what the story was all about. The final nudge to read it came from a book group so I had the pleasure of discussing the book with others.
So what did I learn? It's the story of King Arthur in blank verse and iambic pentameter, about a hundred pages worth. It's divided into twelve different stories...more
So what did I learn? It's the story of King Arthur in blank verse and iambic pentameter, about a hundred pages worth. It's divided into twelve different stories...more
3 likes · like · see review
Geraint & Enid still rock, although today their story would probably be featured on an episode of
Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry?
on the Investigation Discovery channel.
Ain't no wimmens gonna put up with a control-freak like Sir Geraint. Just sayin'...
Ain't no wimmens gonna put up with a control-freak like Sir Geraint. Just sayin'...
5 likes · like · see review
Just finished this one for my Victorian Literature seminar. I will admit that the prospect of reading a 300+ page long poem was daunting, but well, well worth it. I have always admired Tennyson's work. This one is a bit different though. The language is not as resonant, but the imagery is spectacularly beautiful. Also, lots of lovely moments of universal truth within the story. They pop out of nowhere sometimes. The characters have a liquid, uncertain quality, bringing a whole lot of ambiguity t...more
As usual, I thought right up there the short story of Balin, who is to blame for his own tragedy ('My violences, my violences!').
Darker than I had expected and gutsier. I think I decided to read this at last after I saw a book on Tennyson's battle poetry. How he wrote 54 battle poems and had a genuine feel for the 'heroic ethos' of ancient fiction to which he was devoted. Fair enough, I thought. Tried a couple of short ones: his Boadicea is as bloody as she came, and I throbbed to 'The Revenge:...more
Darker than I had expected and gutsier. I think I decided to read this at last after I saw a book on Tennyson's battle poetry. How he wrote 54 battle poems and had a genuine feel for the 'heroic ethos' of ancient fiction to which he was devoted. Fair enough, I thought. Tried a couple of short ones: his Boadicea is as bloody as she came, and I throbbed to 'The Revenge:...more
A venture of epic poetry, this is Alfred Lord Tennyson's take on the Arthurian legends. An incredible read in its own right, but, when taken in relation to Malory, Tennyson's work highlights the passion, tragedy, and Romanticism that sometimes was left at a simmer in Malory's work. Tennyson's work is more 'fantastic' than Malory's, and his descriptions of Camelot are as awe inspiring for the reader as they are for the characters he follows. For those familiar with Malory, Tennyson does not paral...more
There are certain books, or authors, that don't hold up to modern political correctness. Mark Twain is one of them; Huckleberry Finn is constantly under threat to be banned from American schools. Robert E. Howard's protagonists routinely face villains who embody the worst of early twentieth century stereotypes. But Tennyson, in Idylls of the King comes under fire for his female characters in his series of epic poems concerning King Arthur and his valorous knights. What is not generally kept in m...more
I started out kinda dreading this novel because of a) it's thickness and b) its confusingly written self, but as I read it and (cough used some helpful "guides") I have grown to long to read it. It is exciting and interesting and sophisticated. As of now (I am in Balan and Balin) I like it. (November 14)
I have now finished this novel and I enjoyed it. My favorite stories were Gareth and Lynette, The Marriage of Geraint, Geraint and Enid, Lancelot and Elaine, Pelleas and Ettare, and mm yes, those...more
I have now finished this novel and I enjoyed it. My favorite stories were Gareth and Lynette, The Marriage of Geraint, Geraint and Enid, Lancelot and Elaine, Pelleas and Ettare, and mm yes, those...more
The best interpretation of Arthurian Romance I've read. Tennyson has married impossibly elegant verse to a series of social morality plays that demonstrate the values of Victorian society. When it's all said and done, the simple plot and character portraits pale feel appropriate for the magisterial language, though they never reach the quality of the words themselves. Standouts among the Idylls are the story of Merlin and Vivienne, Gareth and Lynette, and the Passing of Arthur. Expect to roll yo...more
Though no one can say that Tennyson is not a great poet, there is something about this work that seems rather academic and stodgy. It's as if Tennyson, the poet laureate, aware of how important that position was, put on his stuffed shirt, and then set about orating about Arthur and the Round Table.
I did find his use of flashback in the Grail story interesting, and the sense of melancholy that pervades the work. The spirit of the song "Camelot" is very much part of the work here -- there once wa...more
I did find his use of flashback in the Grail story interesting, and the sense of melancholy that pervades the work. The spirit of the song "Camelot" is very much part of the work here -- there once wa...more
Idylls of the King is a poetical reworking of the classic tales by Tennyson. It is absolutely breathtaking in its prose, lyrical, but coherent. Flowery without being polluted. It certainly helps to be familiar with the lesser known tales of Arthur's court (such as Balin and Balon) otherwise the reader may have a more difficult time understanding the work.
It really pulls at your heartstrings. You really come to hate all the women of the court, Guinevere most of all. How something written so long...more
It really pulls at your heartstrings. You really come to hate all the women of the court, Guinevere most of all. How something written so long...more
I have read my softcover copy so many times it is falling apart. I really need to get a nice, illustrated, hard cover. I read this book several times a year. And sob hysterically at the end so that I can hardly finish. The saddest lines for me are (spoken by Arthur to Guinevere visiting her in the nunnery before the final battle with Modred):
"Thou hast not made my life so sweet to me,
That I the King should greatly care to live;
For thou hast spoilt the purpose of my life."
The agony in those lines...more
"Thou hast not made my life so sweet to me,
That I the King should greatly care to live;
For thou hast spoilt the purpose of my life."
The agony in those lines...more
2 likes · like · see review
Okay I'll admit I would never have picked up this book if it has't been part of my course requirements. But I'm glad it was. There were bits that were boring, but most of it was so beautifully written that I found myself re-reading. I particularly loved Merlin and Vivien's poem:
'Says she not well? and there is more--this rhyme
Is like the fair pearl-necklace of the Queen,
That burst in dancing, and the pearls were spilt;
Some lost, some stolen, some as relics kept.
But nevermore the same two sister...more
'Says she not well? and there is more--this rhyme
Is like the fair pearl-necklace of the Queen,
That burst in dancing, and the pearls were spilt;
Some lost, some stolen, some as relics kept.
But nevermore the same two sister...more
A romanticized novel of the Arthurian Legend. I read years ago while in high school and it's stories and symbolism had stuck with me ever since. The book is broken up by chapters told by individual characters revolving around the life of King Arthur. Slowly the story of his life and the rise and fall of Camelot is unveiled. I particularly enjoyed the symbolism of Arthur's life stages being compared to the seasons. (Being born off the edge of winter into spring, an adult into the "autumn years",...more
I. Hated. This. Book. So. Much.
The Idylls are a wonderful presentation of the legend of King Arthur. I think they are worthy of special note because so seldom has the legend been treated by a great English poet. Not even Shakespeare, for some reason, considered it a worthy topic.
That said, the cycle is uneven in its presentation, sometimes lofty, sometimes cryptic, sometimes atmospheric and sometimes just plain hard to follow. Tennyson shows very well the height, transition, and degradation of the round table, but it bears wi...more
That said, the cycle is uneven in its presentation, sometimes lofty, sometimes cryptic, sometimes atmospheric and sometimes just plain hard to follow. Tennyson shows very well the height, transition, and degradation of the round table, but it bears wi...more
"A deathwhite mist slept over sand and sea:
Whereof the chill, to him who breathed it, drew
Down with his blood, till all his heart was cold
With formless fear; and even on Arthur fell
Confusion, since he saw not whom he fought.
For friend and foe were shadows in the mist,
And friend slew friend not knowing whom he slew;
And some had visions out of golden youth,
And some beheld the faces of old ghosts
Look in upon the battle; and in the mist
Was many a noble deed, many a base,
And chance and craft and stre...more
Whereof the chill, to him who breathed it, drew
Down with his blood, till all his heart was cold
With formless fear; and even on Arthur fell
Confusion, since he saw not whom he fought.
For friend and foe were shadows in the mist,
And friend slew friend not knowing whom he slew;
And some had visions out of golden youth,
And some beheld the faces of old ghosts
Look in upon the battle; and in the mist
Was many a noble deed, many a base,
And chance and craft and stre...more
Some of the stories were better than others.
I skipped the second story about Geraint and Enid, as he had no redeeming qualities and she was stuck in a crappy marriage; everything bad that happened in that story could have been avoided if she just talked to him.
All of the women in these stories were either caged songbirds or portrayed as villains. Or, you know, to mix it up a little a few were both. The only women who proactively did stuff tended to die.
I don't know if it's just how the Arthur...more
I skipped the second story about Geraint and Enid, as he had no redeeming qualities and she was stuck in a crappy marriage; everything bad that happened in that story could have been avoided if she just talked to him.
All of the women in these stories were either caged songbirds or portrayed as villains. Or, you know, to mix it up a little a few were both. The only women who proactively did stuff tended to die.
I don't know if it's just how the Arthur...more
1 like · like · see review
“If Malory's "Le Morte D'Arthur" is the skeleton of Arthurian literature then Tennyson's "Idylls of the King” is its flesh and blood”, I’ve seen this praising phrase in several places and it’s quite true. This is an epic poem containing twelve loosely connected stories/poems narrating the adventures and romances of the King Arthur and the knights of Camelot, so what’s not to love.
Each section deals with story a knight or several knights of King Arthur's court. Their adventures and romances are...more
Each section deals with story a knight or several knights of King Arthur's court. Their adventures and romances are...more
Feb 05, 2010
Baley Whary
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone
Recommended to Baley by:
teacher
Shelves:
victorian-fantasy-and-adventure
Idylls of the King is Tennyson's take on Malory's version of the stories of Arthur. It is well told, very poetic, and quite an interesting read. Tennyson "cleans up" Malory's version (leaving out any blatant sexual scenes), but it doesn't seem to lose any value because of that. We still see that Guinevere and Lancelot have an affair (though it isn't explicitly detailed), and there is still murder, vengeance, love, loyalty, and valor to round out the story.
The books (idylls) move from good to bad...more
The books (idylls) move from good to bad...more
This particular book is not an edition of Tennyson's work, Idylls of the King, as a whole. It's an abridged version, essentially, with selections from Tennyson's poetry contextualised by brief prose. The reason I have this edition is, of course, the illustrations included, those done by Gustave Doré. Many of them are really spectacular, capturing perfectly the mood of the pieces and scenes.
Tennyson's poetry is, of course, powerful and problematic, but I'll review that in itself another time.
Tennyson's poetry is, of course, powerful and problematic, but I'll review that in itself another time.
I could give you a hundred literary reasons to read these poems. I could talk about how Arthur mirrors Tennyson's own time. I could point out that Tennyson is one of the greats. The real reason why I love this book, why I love these poems is simply the poem "Gareth and Lynette". There are times when a reader feels truly connected to an author. Not in the sense of the written word being read, but in the sense of learning something about the author that also applies to the reader. For instance, le...more
2 likes · like · see review
This book was every bit as beautiful as I could imagine. I had previously loved and read The Lady of Shalott. Idylls, however, is a testament to his love and knowledge of Arthurian legend.
You'll likely walk away from this book with lots of favorite passages. And you might fall in love with the characters of this legend all over again.
Lancelot - "...a dying fire of madness in his eyes"
Percivale - "Had heaven appear'd so blue, nor earth so green, For all my blood danced in me, and I knew That I s...more
You'll likely walk away from this book with lots of favorite passages. And you might fall in love with the characters of this legend all over again.
Lancelot - "...a dying fire of madness in his eyes"
Percivale - "Had heaven appear'd so blue, nor earth so green, For all my blood danced in me, and I knew That I s...more
Okay, not really medieval literature, and not really "classic," but some of the poetry in Tennyson's romanticized versions of these tales had me in tears. Especially the first couple chapters, and "Guinevere." As a lover of medieval lit a lot of it is quite thematically accurate, because there is something particularly stirring about lines like this:
Reign ye, and live and love, and make the world
Other, and may thy Queen be one with thee,
And all this Order of thy Table Round
Fulfil the boundless...more
Reign ye, and live and love, and make the world
Other, and may thy Queen be one with thee,
And all this Order of thy Table Round
Fulfil the boundless...more
Beautiful poetry, a wonderful telling of the Arthurian tales. Tennyson's remarkable poetic genius instills the medieval legends with a unique mystical and intriguing depth that kept me immersed in that world of old, alive with magic and ideals of chivalry. My favorite parts were Merlin and Vivien, the Holy Grail and the Passing of Arthur. Wonderful tapestries of language so eloquently woven together, never bombastic or grandiloquent, but pure and inspired lyricism that defines Tennyson as the gr...more
whereas the poetry itself may be strong, the characterizations of the women seem more to be a matter of tennyson working out his dark side, a.k.a. masculinity and power structure esp. when i compare these characters to marion zimmer bradley's characterizations. this book, for me, has been a timely education in the "old ways" i.e. when men ruled the world and truly thought they were superior to women. funny.
tennyson's version of women characters, as being mere decorations or diminished in some ca...more
tennyson's version of women characters, as being mere decorations or diminished in some ca...more
Beautiful and gently disturbing. As with "In Memoriam," I kept being surprised at how many common phrases first originated with Tennyson. I'm surprised that many call this an "epic poem." It is not. It more often resembles "Tales from a Wayside Inn" in its loosely connected narratives. But Tennyson's mythology is much deeper than Longfellow's, digging to the depths of the Victorian psyche, reaching to the heights of aesthetic nostalgia.
Can’t find when published by Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., but it’s a very old, delicate book. This is the only book of poetry I own, and I'm keeping it despite its ragged condition.
In order to once again read this beautiful poetry, without further damaging the hardcopy version, I just ordered an e-book from Amazon for my Kindle Fire.
In order to once again read this beautiful poetry, without further damaging the hardcopy version, I just ordered an e-book from Amazon for my Kindle Fire.
I went straight from reading Malorys Works to this, so seeing where Tennyson took Malory was fascinating and really awesome. Well written work of poetry as well. That said, I can't honestly say whether it's worth reading if you don't know Malory that well, or anything on Arthur that isn't a contemporary work of fiction. Maybe...maybe not.
Tennyson's rendition of Arthurian legends would have been great if it had been my first encounter with the legends. Idylls of the King is dwarfed in my mind by Malory's Morte Darthur.
Tennyson seemed unable to commit to the fall of Guinevere and Lancelot at the beginning of the poem. The women are exceedingly weak characters past the point of annoyance, but given Tennyson's Victorian context there's not much otherwise that we can expect from him. But credit where credit is due: Tennyson's Arthur...more
Tennyson seemed unable to commit to the fall of Guinevere and Lancelot at the beginning of the poem. The women are exceedingly weak characters past the point of annoyance, but given Tennyson's Victorian context there's not much otherwise that we can expect from him. But credit where credit is due: Tennyson's Arthur...more
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Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson, FRS (most commonly known as Alfred, Lord Tennyson) was Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom during much of Queen Victoria's reign and remains one of the most popular English-language poets. He is particularly known for his polished style and exact understanding of metre.
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12 trivia questions
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“Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of: Wherefore, let they voice,
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.”
—
4 people liked it
Than this world dreams of: Wherefore, let they voice,
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.”
“This madness has come on us for our sins.”
—
2 people liked it
More quotes…
Dec 18, 2010 02:50pm
la la la, I can't hear you...
Dec 18, 2010 03:04pm