The Return of King Arthur The Legend Through Victorian Eyes

by Debra N. Mancoff

LIT

Genres: Arthurian, Art, History, Victorian

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who enjoys reading Arthurian stuff, I loved this. Mancoff looks at how the myth changed in the Victorian era and also how it was used to instil Victorian values. With chapters on men, women and children she examines art and literature of the time, with a major focus on the Arthurian poetry of Tennyson. Great choice of artworks discussed and shown.

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Debra Mancoff brings the reader into the world of the Victorian world. She shows how Queen Victoria becomes "the bride of Arthur". She also instructs the reader on the variety of retellings that came from this particular era. She spoke of a piece called "The Egyptian Maid" in which Galahad is blissfully wedded. She also presents the complicated personality of Lancelot...the knight whose conscience is divided by enduring loyalty and adulterous sin.

[AndrewYoung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific Terrific Terrific. What a wonderful cultural companion to all things Arthurian and filled with great references and notes to other works I’ve since investigated and enjoyed. This work was wonderful and so helpful, it’s literally an act of generosity to western culture.