Idylls of the King

Idylls of the King is Lord Tennyson's epic retelling of the Arthurian legend through twelve lengthy poems, depicting Arthur, his Knights, Queen Guinevere, and the mythic kingdom. Published between the years 1859 and 1885, Idylls of the King is arguably Tennyson's greatest work. Based chiefly from authoritative sources such as Mallory's Le Morte d'Arthur and the Mabinogion, Tennyson would expand upon and alter the legendary canon in order to fit the narration he sought to convey. The twelve idylls are all written in blank verse, and for their references to movements dated after his sources (Romanticism and Gothic architecture in particular) Tennyson's work may also be read as allegorical to the lofty ideals of the Victorian era. This edition presents the poetry in an attractive, columned format, complete with a table of contents for ease of reference.