Rating: 
Summary: Arthurian synopsis in verse
Review: "Idylls of the King" provides an outline of the story of Malory's "La Morte Darthur" in a brief, verse style that may actually make the book a good primer on Arthurian tales. Though he helps himself generously from Malory's text, Tennyson adds plenty of his own unique lines and seems to place a greater emphasis on the themes of loyalty and betrayal than Malory. It is by no means simply Malory in verse, as there are many alterations made to highlight certain values more than Malory. The two tales of "Geraint" come from the Mabinogion. The end-notes are a bit confusing and unwieldy but serve to preserve the flow of Tennyson's poetry. It's a wonderful introduction to traditional Arthurian legend.
Rating: 
Summary: A Zealous Praise
Review: Alfred Lord Tennyson impresses the reader with his unique talent of writing poetry. He writes a series of poems based on myths, legends, epics and so on to produce a work so skillfully written, one's eyes could be glued to the book in marvel at the fine imagery he creates to tell his story. Much of his poems are based upon King Arthur's period of time. His representaion of the era accentuates a period in time when he was named Poet Laruette. His skill and passion for writing captures the minds of those who seek love as well for those who strive for adventure. As this book has a wide selction of tales to tell, one of my all-time favorite poems for some reason is, Lady of Shallott. Tennyson's sharp use of words inspired many artists that turned is words of imagery into a painting. After reading this book, try browsing the web or search through art books to find what faomous paintings there are that were influenced by Tennyson. This book I would highly recommend to those who especially enjoy reading poetry, for Tennyson is one of the most well-known and most talented poets the world has yet to know.
Rating:
Summary: Tennyson's Best
Review: Beset by misogyny and Tennyson's unavoidable issues with the way he felt his society was headed for hell in a hand basket, IDYLLS OF THE KING still remains his most gorgeously affective work. Breathing life and passion into every stanza, Tennyson brought true emotionalism to this work of genius, and it is impossible to read it without being affected in some way, and coming away from it a changed person. It is perhaps helpful to be aware of the greater works in the Arthurian oeuvre (TRISTAN AND ISOLDE, MORTE D'ARTHUR, the works of Chretien de Troyes etc.) but such is certainly not imperative to a fulfilling Tennyson experience - his ideas and imagery ring loud and true in the beguiling landscape of his poetry. There are problems: Tennyson was staunchly misogynistic and apparently can't help but infuse his work with these ideals, and his fervent belief that a country without a strong moral center cannot stand is so strong expressed that almost every stanza seems to revolve around this point. Yet, whether one agrees with Tennyson or not, one cannot deny the great artistry and power of the poetry, and the way such ideas are expressed. The keening tone and wistfulness of expression is unavoidable in any reading, lending the work a sharp frisson of bittersweet beauty that is unmatched by anything else Tennyson ever wrote, or anything else in the canon of English literature. Absolutely gorgeous.
Rating:
Summary: THE MAGIC OF CAMELOT
Review: For Tennyson, the Arthurian legend was an evolving love affair that lasted throughout the poet's life, and the "Idylls of the King" is the ultimate offspring of that enchanted love. Composed of a dozen individual yet interlinked story-poems, the Idylls span the whole of Malory's opus from Arthur's glorious rise to power to his fog-shrouded and mysterious death, "lest one good custom should corrupt the world." But Tennyson humanizes Malory's stories and infuses the whole with an almost Shakespearean aura of tragedy, redefining many of the legendary tales with a new level of gravitas unmatched before or since. The Idylls include:
* The Coming of Arthur, introducing the Age of Camelot
* Gareth and Lynette, a variation of the popular "Fair Unknown" theme and one of Arhturiana's most beloved stories as well as perhaps the one which most perfectly embodies the golden values of chivalry
* The Marriage of Geraint, taken from the works of Chretien De Troyes, who called the titular knight "Erec"
* Geraint and Enid, a lovely tale of marital trust
* Balin and Balan, one of the grimmest and bloodiest of all Arthurian tales, about the struggle between decency and monstrousness within us all
* Merlin and Vivien, the sorcerer's swan song, and the most believable portrayal of the amoral Vivien, too often given a pass by other writers, which I've seen
* Lancelot and Elaine, a tale better known as "The Lady of Shalott,"in which Tennyson's love for the magnificent yet benighted Lancelot of the Lake shines through
* The Holy Grail, narrated by Sir Percivale, and the most powerful depiction of the Grail Quest there is
* Pelleas and Ettarre, one of my favorite Arthurian tales from Malory and elsewhere, though Tennyson's retelling is a major downer that foreshadows the coming collapse of King Arthur's utopia, and features a Sir Pelleas both nobler and darker than Malory's abused but redeemed knight
* The Last Tournament, a bleak but serendipitious version of the Tristram (Tristan) saga, and which brings the Pelleas story to an ugly close
* Guinevere, focuses on the discovery of her adultery with Lancelot and the ensuing breakup of Camelot, culminating in a heartrending dialogue between King Arthur and his fallen Queen
* The Passing of Arthur, the climactic book of the whole saga, in which King Arthur confronts the traitor Modred, strikes with mighty Excalibur one last time, and Sir Bedivere delivers the King's sword up to the Lady of the Lake Taken as a whole, the Idylls are perhaps the greatest artistic achievement in all of Arthurian literature. They are not the whole story however, and in fact Tennyson seems to assume his reader is already intimately familiar with Malory's book, so I would recommend newcomers to the legend do their homework first. The Idylls do have a strong, pervasive Christian backbone, much to Tennyson's credit, which automatically puts his work on a far higher moral plane than Bradley's "Mists of Avalon" and some other contemporary versions of the story. Moreover, Tennyson does not shy away from the full weight of Guinevere's sin; what she does to both Arthur and Lancelot--and hence to all of Camelot--is awful. But charges of misogyny are unfounded; both the poet and Arthur himself--as illustrated in the King's moving last words to his estranged wife in the nunnery to which she has fled--hold out hope for the Queen's salvation, and therefore unavoidably so does the reader. Ultimately, Tennyson's vision of glorious quests, thundering tournaments, Christian valor, doomed love and a hard destiny is perhaps the most heartfelt and stirring of all Arthurian literature, and certainly the perfect companion piece to Malory's own immortal magnum opus. Beautiful, timeless, and endlessly inspiring, the Idylls will entertain and enlighten us for generations to come.
Rating:
Summary: THE MAGIC OF CAMELOT
Review: For Tennyson, the Arthurian legend was an evolving love affair that lasted throughout the poet's life, and the "Idylls of the King" is the ultimate offspring of that enchanted love. Composed of a dozen individual yet interlinked story-poems, the Idylls span the whole of Malory's opus from Arthur's glorious rise to power to his fog-shrouded and mysterious death, "lest one good custom should corrupt the world." But Tennyson humanizes Malory's stories and infuses the whole with an almost Shakespearean aura of tragedy, redefining many of the legendary tales with a new level of gravitas unmatched before or since. The Idylls include:
* The Coming of Arthur, introducing the Age of Camelot
* Gareth and Lynette, a variation of the popular "Fair Unknown" theme and one of Arhturiana's most beloved stories as well as perhaps the one which most perfectly embodies the golden values of chivalry
* The Marriage of Geraint, taken from the works of Chretien De Troyes, who called the titular knight "Erec"
* Geraint and Enid, a lovely tale of marital trust
* Balin and Balan, one of the grimmest and bloodiest of all Arthurian tales, about the struggle between decency and monstrousness within us all
* Merlin and Vivien, the sorcerer's swan song, and the most believable portrayal of the amoral Vivien, too often given a pass by other writers, which I've seen
* Lancelot and Elaine, a tale better known as "The Lady of Shalott,"in which Tennyson's love for the magnificent yet benighted Lancelot of the Lake shines through
* The Holy Grail, narrated by Sir Percivale, and the most powerful depiction of the Grail Quest there is
* Pelleas and Ettarre, one of my favorite Arthurian tales from Malory and elsewhere, though Tennyson's retelling is a major downer that foreshadows the coming collapse of King Arthur's utopia, and features a Sir Pelleas both nobler and darker than Malory's abused but redeemed knight
* The Last Tournament, a bleak but serendipitious version of the Tristram (Tristan) saga, and which brings the Pelleas story to an ugly close
* Guinevere, focuses on the discovery of her adultery with Lancelot and the ensuing breakup of Camelot, culminating in a heartrending dialogue between King Arthur and his fallen Queen
* The Passing of Arthur, the climactic book of the whole saga, in which King Arthur confronts the traitor Modred, strikes with mighty Excalibur one last time, and Sir Bedivere delivers the King's sword up to the Lady of the Lake Taken as a whole, the Idylls are perhaps the greatest artistic achievement in all of Arthurian literature. They are not the whole story however, and in fact Tennyson seems to assume his reader is already intimately familiar with Malory's book, so I would recommend newcomers to the legend do their homework first. The Idylls do have a strong, pervasive Christian backbone, much to Tennyson's credit, which automatically puts his work on a far higher moral plane than Bradley's "Mists of Avalon" and some other contemporary versions of the story. Moreover, Tennyson does not shy away from the full weight of Guinevere's sin; what she does to both Arthur and Lancelot--and hence to all of Camelot--is awful. But charges of misogyny are unfounded; both the poet and Arthur himself--as illustrated in the King's moving last words to his estranged wife in the nunnery to which she has fled--hold out hope for the Queen's salvation, and therefore unavoidably so does the reader. Ultimately, Tennyson's vision of glorious quests, thundering tournaments, Christian valor, doomed love and a hard destiny is perhaps the most heartfelt and stirring of all Arthurian literature, and certainly the perfect companion piece to Malory's own immortal magnum opus. Beautiful, timeless, and endlessly inspiring, the Idylls will entertain and enlighten us for generations to come.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Idylls of the king is a harder read but the expirience is well worth it. Tennyson's language creates a vivid image in the mind of the reader. I would not expect someone without knowledge of King Arthur to like this book. But doing some background info is worth it just to read Tennyson's masterpiece. The mood set by Tennyson is quite captivating. As opposed th Lancelot and Guinevere's affair being in secret, Tennyson sets it up as a point of tension between knights. The story shows many qualities associated with chivalry but also shows what things a knight can do to disgrace himself (ex. Balin) If you do not think you want to read this whole book at least read the Idyll of Guinevere. The true character of Arthur is displayed as he forgives Guinevere before going off to die. Also this Idyll gives a new prospective to the relationship of Lancelot and the queen. Once again, it is a great book but do not jump right into it unprepared.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Idylls of the king is a harder read but the expirience is well worth it. Tennyson's language creates a vivid image in the mind of the reader. I would not expect someone without knowledge of King Arthur to like this book. But doing some background info is worth it just to read Tennyson's masterpiece. The mood set by Tennyson is quite captivating. As opposed th Lancelot and Guinevere's affair being in secret, Tennyson sets it up as a point of tension between knights. The story shows many qualities associated with chivalry but also shows what things a knight can do to disgrace himself (ex. Balin) If you do not think you want to read this whole book at least read the Idyll of Guinevere. The true character of Arthur is displayed as he forgives Guinevere before going off to die. Also this Idyll gives a new prospective to the relationship of Lancelot and the queen. Once again, it is a great book but do not jump right into it unprepared.
Rating:
Summary: The music of legend...
Review: If Malory's "Le Morte D'Arthur" is the backbone of Arthurian literature, Tennyson's "Idylls" are its flesh and blood. In this extraordinary epic poem, Tennyson has transformed Malory's automatons to living and breathing characters, and infuses the legend of King Arthur with passionate intensity that had hitherto been absent. In addition to this, for the first time King Arthur's story, told in its immensity, becomes something more than a dry cataloguing of events or an excuse to have knights and derring-do: underlying "Idylls of the King" is a vision of tragedy and destiny only vaguely hinted at in Malory. Admittedly, this is not the easiest thing in the world to read, but simply reading major parts is worth it, without necessarily following the story of Tristram or other such details. Most interesting in this poem is the relationship between Guinevere and Lancelot, which is complicated and sometimes dark. Tennyson's characters are complex beings, complete with inner shadows and desires which sometimes conflict with the ideals put forth by Arthur's "Table Round." Since it is after all Tennyson, the language is breathtaking, though one familiar with his other poetry might be slightly regretful, as I was, that it occasionally lacks the power of his other poems. Perhaps this is to be expected, given the length: and since it is Tennyson, less powerful than his other work is still marvelous. Some may be irritated by Tennyson's moralistic streak, which is hard to ignore, as well as the distinct parallels with Christianity which the poet introduces from time to time. The idea that women somehow embody all sin certainly makes an appearance here, as Guinevere is sometimes portrayed almost as evil incarnate. Nonetheless, with its almost mystical undertones, beautiful language and psychological complexity, "Idylls of the King" is worth checking out, whether you are a fan of King Arthur or Tennyson; it is an epic which combines emotion and the magical, life and the legendary.
Rating:
Summary: The music of legend...
Review: If Malory's "Le Morte D'Arthur" is the backbone of Arthurian literature, Tennyson's "Idylls" are its flesh and blood. In this extraordinary epic poem, Tennyson has transformed Malory's automatons to living and breathing characters, and infuses the legend of King Arthur with passionate intensity that had hitherto been absent. In addition to this, for the first time King Arthur's story, told in its immensity, becomes something more than a dry cataloguing of events or an excuse to have knights and derring-do: underlying "Idylls of the King" is a vision of tragedy and destiny only vaguely hinted at in Malory. Admittedly, this is not the easiest thing in the world to read, but simply reading major parts is worth it, without necessarily following the story of Tristram or other such details. Most interesting in this poem is the relationship between Guinevere and Lancelot, which is complicated and sometimes dark. Tennyson's characters are complex beings, complete with inner shadows and desires which sometimes conflict with the ideals put forth by Arthur's "Table Round." Since it is after all Tennyson, the language is breathtaking, though one familiar with his other poetry might be slightly regretful, as I was, that it occasionally lacks the power of his other poems. Perhaps this is to be expected, given the length: and since it is Tennyson, less powerful than his other work is still marvelous. Some may be irritated by Tennyson's moralistic streak, which is hard to ignore, as well as the distinct parallels with Christianity which the poet introduces from time to time. The idea that women somehow embody all sin certainly makes an appearance here, as Guinevere is sometimes portrayed almost as evil incarnate. Nonetheless, with its almost mystical undertones, beautiful language and psychological complexity, "Idylls of the King" is worth checking out, whether you are a fan of King Arthur or Tennyson; it is an epic which combines emotion and the magical, life and the legendary.
Rating:
Summary: Tennyson's Most Brilliant Work
Review: Tennyson had a life-long interest in the Arthurian legend, and based many of his works on it. Idylls of the King is his longest and most ambitious work, and it is truly brilliant. Though I disagree with his retelling of the birth of Arthur, that is overshadowed by the rest. It doesn't rhyme, which is totally irrelevant. The language is easy enough, and dificult word-meanings are given at the back in the highly informative notes. 10 on 10, buy it!
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