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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Lady of Shallot, the Lady of the Fountain, and Other Classic Poems and Tales of Camelot
Stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table have been told and retold for centuries with each generation adding to the tale and adapting them to fit their times. The Arthurian tales of chivalry, romance, and tragedy have left a lasting impact on English literature. This collection contains Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (trans. 1898), The Lady of Shallot (1833), The Founding of the Round Table (trans. 1914), The Passing of Arthur (trans. 1914), The Morte D'arthur (1914), The Lady of the Fountain (trans. 1877), Arthurian Songs: 1. Avalon (1894), and Sir Galahad, a Christmas Mystery (1858).
94 pages, Paperback
First published March 14, 2011
About the author
Alfred Tennyson
2,211 books1,465 followersWorks, including
In Memoriam
in 1850 and "The Charge of the Light Brigade" in 1854, of Alfred Tennyson, first baron, known as lord, appointed British poet laureate in 1850, reflect Victorian sentiments and aesthetics.
Elizabeth Tennyson, wife, bore Alfred Tennyson, the fourth of twelve children, to George Tennyson, clergyman; he inevitably wrote his books. In 1816, parents sent Tennyson was sent to grammar school of Louth.
Alfred Tennyson disliked school so intensely that from 1820, home educated him. At the age of 18 years in 1827, Alfred joined his two brothers at Trinity College, Cambridge and with Charles Tennyson, his brother, published Poems by Two Brothers , his book, in the same year.
Alfred Tennyson published Poems Chiefly Lyrical , his second book, in 1830. In 1833, Arthur Henry Hallam, best friend of Tennyson, engaged to wed his sister, died, and thus inspired some best Ulysses and the Passing of Arthur .
Following William Wordsworth, Alfred Tennyson in 1850 married Emily Sellwood Tenyson, his childhood friend. She bore Hallam Tennyson in 1852 and Lionel Tennyson in 1854, two years later.
Alfred Tennyson continued throughout his life and in the 1870s also to write a number of plays.
In 1884, the queen raised Alfred Tennyson, a great favorite of Albert, prince, thereafter to the peerage of Aldworth. She granted such a high rank for solely literary distinction to this only Englishman.
Alfred Tennyson died at the age of 83 years, and people buried his body in abbey of Westminster.
Elizabeth Tennyson, wife, bore Alfred Tennyson, the fourth of twelve children, to George Tennyson, clergyman; he inevitably wrote his books. In 1816, parents sent Tennyson was sent to grammar school of Louth.
Alfred Tennyson disliked school so intensely that from 1820, home educated him. At the age of 18 years in 1827, Alfred joined his two brothers at Trinity College, Cambridge and with Charles Tennyson, his brother, published Poems by Two Brothers , his book, in the same year.
Alfred Tennyson published Poems Chiefly Lyrical , his second book, in 1830. In 1833, Arthur Henry Hallam, best friend of Tennyson, engaged to wed his sister, died, and thus inspired some best Ulysses and the Passing of Arthur .
Following William Wordsworth, Alfred Tennyson in 1850 married Emily Sellwood Tenyson, his childhood friend. She bore Hallam Tennyson in 1852 and Lionel Tennyson in 1854, two years later.
Alfred Tennyson continued throughout his life and in the 1870s also to write a number of plays.
In 1884, the queen raised Alfred Tennyson, a great favorite of Albert, prince, thereafter to the peerage of Aldworth. She granted such a high rank for solely literary distinction to this only Englishman.
Alfred Tennyson died at the age of 83 years, and people buried his body in abbey of Westminster.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 25, 2014
I purchased this book because I wanted to read about Sir Gawain after falling in love with him on the BBC TV series Merlin (2008-2012). There are so many publications with Gawain in it I picked this one because it also had the Lady of Shallot in it and I could remember Anne reading it in Anne of Green Gables (a childhood favourite of mine) so that was me sold.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Even though the language was a little hard to understand in parts, the underlying story always came through. A Stranger, a seemingly evil Knight sets upon Camelot and challenges the knights. Arthur steps forward to take the challenge, but Gawain quickly takes his place. There is lots of descriptive text about the landscapes and changing seasons as Gawain rides out on his quest. Gawain is offered immense valuables from a beautiful queen but turns her down. Later his life is saved because he was so humble and honourable etc. It is a really lovely, descriptive, enjoyable piece of text. I can see myself coming back to read it time and time again. As I was reading it I realised that I had heard the story before, with a piece so old this is not surprising. Where I heard it I’m not sure, I think perhaps in a retelling in a children’s fable.
The Lady of Shallot: Anne Shirley recites;
“There she weaves by night and day
A magic web with colours gay.
She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot.”
This is actually the start of Part Two (The poem has Four parts).
It’s quite a sad poem, beautifully woven and delightful to recite, yes, but essentially The Lady of Shallot was a cursed woman, be it with a beautiful body and beautiful signing voice.
She freezes to death while floating down the river to Camelot, singing to her final breath. I’ll come back and read it again, probably after every time I read Gawain and the Green Knight.
The Founding of the Round Table: A yule-tide ball that turns into an all-out brawl with people killing each other. I found it a little bizarre; they bury the dead, then pretty much everyone kisses and makes up because Arthur says so. I think the whole point of the poem was how Arthur brought everyone together and always fought for peace.
The Passing of Arthur: It starts with Arthur having a dream, which leads to an epic battle between Arthur and Modred. Of course Modred flees and Arthur chases. There is a section in which Wenhavere (I always thought it was Gwenhavere) goes into a convent to hide and never return – at least I think that’s what happened, it was a little confusing. The whole piece swaps between 1st and 3rd persons, it mucks up the flow a bit until you get used to it.
Modred is killed in the final battle on the banks of the Tamar River, but hundreds of thousands of others are killed also, leaving Arthur mortally wounded and only two of his knights standing. A boat carrying two beautiful fay women comes to take Arthur away to Avalon. Merlin was only mentioned three times and that was close to the end – he wasn’t even at the fight – this upset me somewhat.
“But the British folk, they say
That Arthur, he lives alway,
That held by a fairy spell,
In Avalon both he dwell;
And each Briton’s hope is strong
That he cometh again ere long!”
The Morte D’arthur: Seems to just be a short verse of Wilfrid reflecting on all the tales gone before.
The Lady of the Fountain: She’s Gwenhwyvar this time, so it must come down to artistic licence.
The story really kicks off when Owain sets off on a quest to battle the Knight who guards the fountain. He wins the duel and falls in love with the Countess of the Fountain at first sight “the wife of him whom thou didst slay yesterday”. She agrees to marry him so she’ll have someone to protect her dominions, yeah real romantic. It takes Arthur three years to decide to take his men looking for Owain. Owain then abandons the Countess and goes back with Arthur – this is considered a Welsh Romance? What!
Anyway, another three years pass and Owain starts to feel bad so he becomes somewhat of a drifter helping out people he meets along his way. Helping out a king here, saving a damsel there and picking up a pet Lion – yes a Lion.
In the end he does return to the Countess of the Fountain. He then takes her with him back to Arthur’s Court, and she stayed there with him for the rest of her life. Hmmm while I enjoyed reading this it wasn’t what I’d call romantic.
Arthurian Songs: 1. Avalon: Short and sweet, the lyrics flow easily with images of Arthur laying in wait in Avalon.
Sir Galahad, a Christmas Mystery: Galahad is weary and takes refuge in a church, he’s in a half daze and Santa Claus (possibly it was Jesus in a red and white suit) shows up. Two angels and four women materialise from nowhere bringing Galahad a bed to sleep in. He sleeps, then they help him dress and send him off to find his father? Launcelot on a boat? Then I have no idea, someone’s found dead or something. Very confusing! I re-read the last four stanzas twice trying to figure the ending out and I don’t care to read the whole poem again to try and figure it out – so for now the Christmas mystery will remain just that, a mystery.
All up I’m giving this book Four Stars and this mainly based on my enjoyment of the two largest tales, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Lady of the Fountain, which take the majority of the book.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Even though the language was a little hard to understand in parts, the underlying story always came through. A Stranger, a seemingly evil Knight sets upon Camelot and challenges the knights. Arthur steps forward to take the challenge, but Gawain quickly takes his place. There is lots of descriptive text about the landscapes and changing seasons as Gawain rides out on his quest. Gawain is offered immense valuables from a beautiful queen but turns her down. Later his life is saved because he was so humble and honourable etc. It is a really lovely, descriptive, enjoyable piece of text. I can see myself coming back to read it time and time again. As I was reading it I realised that I had heard the story before, with a piece so old this is not surprising. Where I heard it I’m not sure, I think perhaps in a retelling in a children’s fable.
The Lady of Shallot: Anne Shirley recites;
“There she weaves by night and day
A magic web with colours gay.
She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot.”
This is actually the start of Part Two (The poem has Four parts).
It’s quite a sad poem, beautifully woven and delightful to recite, yes, but essentially The Lady of Shallot was a cursed woman, be it with a beautiful body and beautiful signing voice.
She freezes to death while floating down the river to Camelot, singing to her final breath. I’ll come back and read it again, probably after every time I read Gawain and the Green Knight.
The Founding of the Round Table: A yule-tide ball that turns into an all-out brawl with people killing each other. I found it a little bizarre; they bury the dead, then pretty much everyone kisses and makes up because Arthur says so. I think the whole point of the poem was how Arthur brought everyone together and always fought for peace.
The Passing of Arthur: It starts with Arthur having a dream, which leads to an epic battle between Arthur and Modred. Of course Modred flees and Arthur chases. There is a section in which Wenhavere (I always thought it was Gwenhavere) goes into a convent to hide and never return – at least I think that’s what happened, it was a little confusing. The whole piece swaps between 1st and 3rd persons, it mucks up the flow a bit until you get used to it.
Modred is killed in the final battle on the banks of the Tamar River, but hundreds of thousands of others are killed also, leaving Arthur mortally wounded and only two of his knights standing. A boat carrying two beautiful fay women comes to take Arthur away to Avalon. Merlin was only mentioned three times and that was close to the end – he wasn’t even at the fight – this upset me somewhat.
“But the British folk, they say
That Arthur, he lives alway,
That held by a fairy spell,
In Avalon both he dwell;
And each Briton’s hope is strong
That he cometh again ere long!”
The Morte D’arthur: Seems to just be a short verse of Wilfrid reflecting on all the tales gone before.
The Lady of the Fountain: She’s Gwenhwyvar this time, so it must come down to artistic licence.
The story really kicks off when Owain sets off on a quest to battle the Knight who guards the fountain. He wins the duel and falls in love with the Countess of the Fountain at first sight “the wife of him whom thou didst slay yesterday”. She agrees to marry him so she’ll have someone to protect her dominions, yeah real romantic. It takes Arthur three years to decide to take his men looking for Owain. Owain then abandons the Countess and goes back with Arthur – this is considered a Welsh Romance? What!
Anyway, another three years pass and Owain starts to feel bad so he becomes somewhat of a drifter helping out people he meets along his way. Helping out a king here, saving a damsel there and picking up a pet Lion – yes a Lion.
In the end he does return to the Countess of the Fountain. He then takes her with him back to Arthur’s Court, and she stayed there with him for the rest of her life. Hmmm while I enjoyed reading this it wasn’t what I’d call romantic.
Arthurian Songs: 1. Avalon: Short and sweet, the lyrics flow easily with images of Arthur laying in wait in Avalon.
Sir Galahad, a Christmas Mystery: Galahad is weary and takes refuge in a church, he’s in a half daze and Santa Claus (possibly it was Jesus in a red and white suit) shows up. Two angels and four women materialise from nowhere bringing Galahad a bed to sleep in. He sleeps, then they help him dress and send him off to find his father? Launcelot on a boat? Then I have no idea, someone’s found dead or something. Very confusing! I re-read the last four stanzas twice trying to figure the ending out and I don’t care to read the whole poem again to try and figure it out – so for now the Christmas mystery will remain just that, a mystery.
All up I’m giving this book Four Stars and this mainly based on my enjoyment of the two largest tales, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Lady of the Fountain, which take the majority of the book.
September 26, 2023
life, liberty, and the lady of shallot
March 28, 2012
Tennyson is one of the greatest poets that is still highly reconised within English Literature and is a master of his craft, with the poem of 'the Lady of Shallot' being one of my many favourites. I adore any literature that is based around the Arthurian legends, of Merlin, lancelot and the Celtic myths & legends and so this book really stood out to me instantly just for this fact, plus i also enjoy historical works of writing that are from the past. Sir Gwain was set arounf 1898 when it was compiled with the Lady of Shallot being earlier in 1833, alongside the songs; Avalon around 1894, so there is certainly a history within these stories & poems. Everything of this time within history and a past age is captured such as romance, tragedy, chivalry and beauty in its purest form that make Tennyson's work so realistic and authentic. The Lady of Shallot especially stood out for me due to the stunning and heartfelt romantisism and emotion within it, that is captivating and really compelling and somethind that is so tragic but truly beautiul. I was drawn to the main character and swept away by her feelings, thoughts and emotions and of how very vivid and real they were, in comparible to Sir Lancelot. It is such a beautiful, truth drawing poem that was very poinant and vivid in my mind and one that i will not forget. This book is a compilation of both poetry and writing that draws from all the Celtic tales of this time and delves into the lives of King Arthur and Merlin and the stories that involved but also that surrounded them, so for anyone who is interested in this aspect then i urge you to read this (say if you are a fan of MK Hume or Bernard Cornwell). Tennyson has a beautiful fluidity to his writing that really captures your attention and makes you want to read on, it is just so delicate and stunning with breathtaking emotion & depth that will leave you with goosebumps. I was captivated from begining to end, poem after poem and was swept away by his characters depth of feeling and also the spectaular imagery that really brought the poems and stories to life. This is something that i would highly recomend to any literature enthusiast or even English student as it is so acomplished, majestic and beautifully written.
June 14, 2012
I’ve chosen the aspect of point of view to focus on. In different parts of the poem, the stanzas are written in the Lady of Shallot's point of view, whereas others are written from the point of view of the outside world.
Part 1 begins with the description of the landscape around Camelot, and of the island of Shallot. This is written from the outside world’s point of view of: looking in on “four gray walls, and four gray towers,/ [Overlooking]... The Lady of Shallot.” When the reapers “hear a song… From the river winding clearly,” they are “weary” of the Lady of Shallot’s song.
Part 2 and 3 are written in the Lady of Shallot's point of view. She “weaves by night and day/ A magic web of colors gay” and, “She left the web, she left the loom...”
Part 4 is also written from the point of view of the outside world: “Out on the warfs they came,/ Knight and burgher, lord and dame...” and, “...they crossed themselves for fear,/ All the knights of Camelot.”
The shuffling of point of view emphasizes that temptation is not only within us, but also a part of the outside world. They coexist in equal measure, because although the Lady of Shallot lives in seclusion, the outside world still has an influence on her, and although she lives in seclusion, her songs still have an influence on the outside world.
If part 2 and 3 were instead written in first person, the change between points of view may have been easier to detect. However, the difference between third person and first person would draw too much separation between the two worlds.
In addition, the poem would have benefited from the thoughts of the outside world. We're offered only a few descriptions and a few details: “Only reapers, reaping early/ ...Hear a song that echoes cheery,” and, “They hear her singing her last song,” as well as, “...they crossed themselves for fear...” but these are but specks of detail. These are people who have chosen not to shield themselves from physical pleasures, so what of their fate?
Part 1 begins with the description of the landscape around Camelot, and of the island of Shallot. This is written from the outside world’s point of view of: looking in on “four gray walls, and four gray towers,/ [Overlooking]... The Lady of Shallot.” When the reapers “hear a song… From the river winding clearly,” they are “weary” of the Lady of Shallot’s song.
Part 2 and 3 are written in the Lady of Shallot's point of view. She “weaves by night and day/ A magic web of colors gay” and, “She left the web, she left the loom...”
Part 4 is also written from the point of view of the outside world: “Out on the warfs they came,/ Knight and burgher, lord and dame...” and, “...they crossed themselves for fear,/ All the knights of Camelot.”
The shuffling of point of view emphasizes that temptation is not only within us, but also a part of the outside world. They coexist in equal measure, because although the Lady of Shallot lives in seclusion, the outside world still has an influence on her, and although she lives in seclusion, her songs still have an influence on the outside world.
If part 2 and 3 were instead written in first person, the change between points of view may have been easier to detect. However, the difference between third person and first person would draw too much separation between the two worlds.
In addition, the poem would have benefited from the thoughts of the outside world. We're offered only a few descriptions and a few details: “Only reapers, reaping early/ ...Hear a song that echoes cheery,” and, “They hear her singing her last song,” as well as, “...they crossed themselves for fear...” but these are but specks of detail. These are people who have chosen not to shield themselves from physical pleasures, so what of their fate?
September 12, 2015
Just revisiting a little obsession of mine.
I love the stories of King Arthur, and The Lady of Shallot. The poems included apart from the Lady of Shallot are not much to write home about, by comparison, and the best story by far is Sir Gawain. You can get hold of Beowulf, which I went onto after this, online for free, and that's a good introduction to Grendel , which I went on to next. These old and middle english works are treasures worth remembering.
I love the stories of King Arthur, and The Lady of Shallot. The poems included apart from the Lady of Shallot are not much to write home about, by comparison, and the best story by far is Sir Gawain. You can get hold of Beowulf, which I went onto after this, online for free, and that's a good introduction to Grendel , which I went on to next. These old and middle english works are treasures worth remembering.
March 11, 2012
The lady of Shallot is the one I like. another with medieval, Arthurian images.
John William Waterhouse's painting of 'the lady' is beautiful. this is not to say that I agree with the representation of women in this poem and work.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews