Idylls of the King, Alfred Lord Tennyson's magnum opus, reflects his lifelong engagement with the legends of King Arthur. Fascinated by stories of an ideal kingdom that crumbled due to betrayal, Tennyson began crafting sketches of Arthurian characters early in his life. His exploration culminated in a series of poems that were published over several decades, ultimately forming a sweeping narrative about the rise and fall of Camelot.

The Structure and Unity of the Work

The publication of Idylls of the King spanned from 1859 to 1885, prompting debates about its coherence. Some view it as a unified epic akin to the grand narratives of the past, while others see it as a collection of thematic yet loosely connected pieces. Nevertheless, most critics agree that Tennyson crafted a narrative with intentional epic motifs, drawing comparisons to both Vergil's The Aeneid and Milton’s Paradise Lost through his use of blank verse and elaborate similes.

The Poem as Commentary and Allegory

Tennyson imbued Idylls of the King with reflections on Victorian society and an allegorical examination of the human condition. Arthur is portrayed as the epitome of Victorian virtues, echoing the qualities of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s consort, whom Tennyson honored in the poem’s dedication. The narrative diverges from medieval notions of courtly love, emphasizing marital fidelity and the virtues of hard work over the pursuit of glory. Merlin's counsel to Vivien, emphasizing the nobility of everyday duties, mirrors this theme, which Arthur later reinforces during the knights' quest for the Holy Grail.

Allegorical Elements and Themes

The epilogue of the narrative highlights Tennyson’s vision of Arthur as "Ideal manhood closed in real man," illustrating the conflict between bodily desires and spiritual ideals. This allegory is vividly portrayed in “Gareth and Lynette,” where the young knight faces adversaries symbolizing life's stages, underscoring Tennyson's belief that adherence to noble principles transcends mortality. Yet, as the idylls unfold, the failure of many characters to uphold these ideals reflects the challenges of living by such standards.

The Limitations of Idealistic Pursuits

The overarching message of Idylls of the King is the difficulty of maintaining high ideals amidst materialistic temptations. As James Kincaid suggests in Tennyson’s Major Poems, the Comic and Ironic Patterns, the kingdom’s downfall is self-inflicted, born from the inability of its inhabitants to embody Arthur’s vision. Tennyson's depiction of Camelot, a city "built to music," serves as a metaphor for the fragility of utopian ambitions, reliant on collective harmony that falters when individuals stray from the shared melody.

Idylls of the King remains a profound exploration of human nature and society's aspirations, mirroring the eternal struggle between idealism and reality. Tennyson's work continues to resonate with contemporary readers, offering timeless insights into the complexities of moral and social coherence.