Geoffrey of Monmouth

by Michael J. Curley

In this beautifully crafted new entry in Twayne's English Authors Series, Michael J. Curley sets out to instruct the nonspecialist in the events of Geoffrey's career, the techniques governing his three known works - the History, The Prophecies of Merlin, and The Life of Merlin-, and Geoffrey's enduring appeal as commentator on the human condition. Geoffrey's characters "are driven by passion, greed, rivalry, a thirst for glory and adventure, a restless spirit, and a consciousness of their origins," Curley asserts in his preface; "Above all, they are imbued with a sense of their own autonomy." In the five chapters that follow, Curley provides cogent biographical and background information, treats each of Geoffrey's works, and addresses the many issues scholars have raised about the writer. Throughout, Curley guides readers gracefully through complex, highly influential works of not just the Middle Ages but indeed Western civilization, amply demonstrating the power of Geoffrey's contribution to British historiography and cultural myth.

Genres: History

181 pages, Hardcover

First published December 12, 1994

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.

Other authors publishing under this name are:

Michael J. Curley, Archbishop of Baltimore and Washington

Reviews

[cate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veery enjoyable little book about silly old Geoffrey, a beautifully and humorously written introduction about his historia, the whole Merlin puzzle and his other works, complete with medieval dissing.

[Becky]

In this beautifully crafted new entry in Twayne's English Authors Series, Michael J. Curley sets out to instruct the nonspecialist in the events of Geoffrey's career, the techniques governing his three known works - the History, The Prophecies of Merlin, and The Life of Merlin-, and Geoffrey's enduring appeal as commentator on the human condition. Geoffrey's characters "are driven by passion, greed, rivalry, a thirst for glory and adventure, a restless spirit, and a consciousness of their origins," Curley asserts in his preface; "Above all, they are imbued with a sense of their own autonomy." In the five chapters that follow, Curley provides cogent biographical and background information, treats each of Geoffrey's works, and addresses the many issues scholars have raised about the writer. Throughout, Curley guides readers gracefully through complex, highly influential works of not just the Middle Ages but indeed Western civilization, amply demonstrating the power of Geoffrey's contribution to British historiography and cultural myth.