Beautiful poetry, a wonderful telling of the Arthurian tales. Tennyson's remarkable poetic genius instills the medieval legends with a unique mystical...moreBeautiful 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 greatest poet of Victorian Britain. Thank you Lord Tennyson for this beautiful rendition of the Arthurian tales. A fine achievement of great poetry.(less)
Probably my favorite of the three great classic epic poems (Odyssey, Iliad, & Aeneid). I thought it was the most interesting, dynamic, and enterta...moreProbably my favorite of the three great classic epic poems (Odyssey, Iliad, & Aeneid). I thought it was the most interesting, dynamic, and entertaining of the three and I really enjoyed the variety of settings and elements painted throughout Virgil's magnum opus of the Latin tongue. I most of all loved Book VI with its unforgettable descent into the Underworld of Aeneas with the golden bough.(less)
I read Chretien de Troyes' famous Grail story of Perceval, which is the first story of the Grail legend. Unfortunately the work was unfinished so it's...moreI read Chretien de Troyes' famous Grail story of Perceval, which is the first story of the Grail legend. Unfortunately the work was unfinished so it's hard to look at the tale as a complete story. It was entertaining to read, certainly not great literature. Some parts are actually silly and laughable, which made it more interesting to read in light of having just read Cervantes' Don Quixote which mocks the genre of chivalry and knight's errant. Nevertheless it's got some good stuff in it, with the supernatural and fairy-tale-esque elements infused into the story to add a layer of mysticism and mystery to the Grail and bleeding lance legend surrounding the Fisher King. Of course the two knights in the story, Perceval and Gawain have godlike invincibility which becomes farcical at times. Of course that's what lends Don Quixote's illusions of grandeur so much humour, having been based on such legends like this in which the knights of King Arthur are enshrined. If you're interested in the stories of the Holy Grail, this is definitely worth checking out since it is the original. One should understand that the grail legend has a long and circuitous history, evolving over time into different manifestations. In Chretien's story the Grail itself is simply a sacred dish that contains these manna-like wafers that have a healing effect on the Grail king, father of the Fisher King. I love these stories for their fantastical and over-the-top qualities, it's just the stuff of great legends, though maybe not so much great literature.(less)
I'm just a sucker for all these ancient epics. This is of course the oldest known piece of literature, the Mesopotamian epic, replete with the mythica...moreI'm just a sucker for all these ancient epics. This is of course the oldest known piece of literature, the Mesopotamian epic, replete with the mythical elements of gods and monsters, the ill-fated quest for immortality, and all that good stuff we love in old legends. The bull of heaven is perhaps the most memorable icon from this work, the sacred beast which seals the doom of Gilgamesh and Enkidu after they slay it, incurring the wrath of the gods.(less)
Magical and interesting to read for any lover of the Arthurian myths, but I was a little disappointed by the end. I was hoping for a climactic battle...moreMagical and interesting to read for any lover of the Arthurian myths, but I was a little disappointed by the end. I was hoping for a climactic battle between Gawain and the green knight, but instead it all fell apart into medieval didacticism and lackluster moralizing.(less)
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