In the early 19th century, medievalism, Romanticism and the
Gothic Revival reawakened interest in Arthur and the medieval romances. A new
code of ethics for 19th-century gentlemen was shaped around the chivalric ideals
that the "Arthur of romance" embodied. This renewed interest first
made itself felt in 1816, when Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur was reprinted
for the first time since 1634. Initially the medieval Arthurian legends were of
particular interest to poets, inspiring, for example, William Wordsworth to
write "The Egyptian Maid" (1835), an allegory of the Holy Grail. Pre-eminent
among these was Alfred Lord Tennyson, whose first Arthurian poem, "The
Lady of Shalott", was published in 1832. Although Arthur himself played a minor role in
some of these works, following in the medieval romance tradition, Tennyson's
Arthurian work reached its peak of popularity with Idylls of the King, which reworked the entire narrative of Arthur's
life for the Victorian era. First published in 1859, it sold 10,000 copies
within the first week. In the Idylls, Arthur became a symbol of ideal
manhood whose attempt to establish a perfect kingdom on earth fails, finally,
through human weakness. Tennyson's works prompted a large number of imitators,
generated considerable public interest in the legends of Arthur and the
character himself, and brought Malory's tales to a wider audience. Indeed, the
first modernization of Malory's great compilation of Arthur's tales was
published shortly after Idylls appeared, in 1862, and there were six
further editions and five competitors before the century ended. [Wikipedia ‘King
Arthur’]
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| Victorian view of the Holy Grail |
Blog Question:
What was it about the Victorian age that promoted the revival of the Arthurian
story?
Eleanor Jackson
ReplyDeleteLupack provides some interesting insight as to why the Arthurian legend was revived during the Victorian age. Due to the 'scientific, technological and intellectual advances' of the time, Tennyson drew parallels between the world that he lived in, with that of Arthur. He aimed to balance the dualities of appearance & reality, and the true & the false, which served as a 'metaphor for an age that was itself torn between faith and doubt, hope and despair.' With the ominous idea of progress, both the Arthurian world and the modern world had 'great potential for improving the human condition', but this ideal is letdown by the 'failings and imperfections' of the worlds and their inhabitants.
For example, the theme of evolution is evident in Tennyson, with strong use of animal imagery. Men are described as 'beast-like' and Arthur is to conquer a land overrun with beasts. Furthermore, the character of Vivien is depicted as conniving and false, even likened to a serpent.
The Arthurian legend provides a time defying story that authors may use to discuss and reflect upon the human condition. The Victorian age was a timely era for the revival of the Arthurian story because it was an era where the world saw significant change. Authors were therefore inspired to write about how humans cope with change and balance worldly desires with faith by using the metaphor of Arthur. As discussed by Lupack, Malory was a particular source of inspiration for these authors. The Arthurian legend is timeless in the issues it allows authors to explore. As stated by Lupack, "The Arthurian world, like the modern world, has great potential for improving the human condition; but it seems that such an ideal is always frustrated by the failings and imperfections that are inherent in the world and in those who inhabit it". It seems that by virtue of a natural cycle, it was time for Victorian authors to reawaken the Arthurian legend and create works for Victorian audiences. Audiences may have been more receptive to a piece that was written at the time rather than looking to works of medieval romance. Notwithstanding the early origins of the Arthurian legend, it was certainly viewed to be amenable to be used to discuss issues that confronted Victorian society.
ReplyDeleteThe Victorian age marked a period of great change for the British. Thus, they perhaps desired to mirror their success on the idealisms of the Arthurian world. However, it must be noted that during this period of great change, many people were uncertain about the future of not only the world, but also of mankind's morality (ie. 'crisis of faith'). In fact, Lupack notes that the tensions illustrated in Tennyson's version of the Arthurian story can also be seen as 'a metaphor for an age that was itself torn between faith and doubt, hope and despair' and 'appearance and reality'. Nevertheless, even within such a world of despair exists Arthur, who is to be seen as perfection and thus, an 'example to [most men]'. The Arthurian story could provide hope for readers - as Arthur's existence 'brought a time of glory' from which 'something new will evolve'.
ReplyDeleteThe Arthurian story also could have been escapist fiction for the disillusioned British.
DeleteFirst and foremost, the Victorian Era was infamous for the Industrial Revolution. Britain was the first nation to industrialize and this took a toll on its people: there was a population increase which meant that jobs were scarce and at low wage. As a result, housing was also expensive and scarce. The Industrial Revolution also elevated child labour to the social norm.
ReplyDeleteLooking to the Arthurian world could have been an escape from the turmoil and changes happening around them. Similar to the Roman ideal that the forefathers always had it 'better off' than the present times. It was a way for people to escape their world.
It is important to note that the Georgian Era, which preceded the Victorian Era was a time of political rivalry between two parties. This was similar to the 15th century Wars of the Roses. This political rivalry could have also sparked the sudden interest in Arthurian tales.
The Victorian Age experienced advances in technology, science and academic thought. As a result doubt was created about the existence of God. Malory states that faith was undermined and that the benefits of progress were soon questioned. The Victorian Age was therefore a time of conflict, both internal and external. Malory suggests that this was the prompt for the revival of the Arthurian story. The Arthurian story provided a medium to explore the tension within society at the time and in doing so, became very popular.
ReplyDeleteThe revival of Mallory's Arthurian cycle during the Victorian Age perhaps came about as a means of addressing the contemporary issues present within British society. The rapidly changing technological, political and social aspects of the century reflect this, as the reinterpretations of Mallory's Le Morte D'Arthur often focused on the themes of progression, doubt, politics and human identity. Although many texts may have simply been seen as a means of escape from everyday life and the problems of a changing nation, works such as Tennyson's Idylls of the King are viewed by many scholars as the opposite of escapism. In many ways, the revival, re-writing and re-interpreting of Mallory's Arthurian cycle was an attempt to confront the contemporary issues of the time using a figure whom many considered Britain's first national hero (Arthur) as a tool to convey such ideas. Changes such as the widening of the voting franchise and the development of a constitutional monarchy may have led to Tennyson's work focusing on the political and social relationships between Arthur and his knights, as well as the roles of women in Arthurian society. The questioning of certain aspects of religious faith in scientific circles may also have influenced many writers and artists to re-assess the idea of progression and what this may mean for morality; Tennyson in particular suggesting that change can help enhance our idea of morality, whilst stagnation and asceticism would prevent us from moving forward to a more morally superior position.
ReplyDeleteThe revival of the Arthurian story during the Victorian Age could have been due to an identification to the morals and the greater appeal of fiction of the time. Firstly, during the VIctorian Age there was great emphasis placed on appearing to hold similar qualities of the knights and other virtuous characters in the Arthurian legend. Foe example men were expected to be gentlemanly, similarly to the knights of the Round Table. Secondly, there was a renewed interest in literature for entertainment among the educated, with writers such as Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle experience great popularity. WIth, this renewed interest allowing authors such as Tennyson to revisit the famous fanciful legends concerning King Arthur. Additionally, these factors would have been compounded by the similarity between British Society in each of these period, for in both the Victorian Era and with in the story of Arthur England was one of the most advanced and powerful nations in the world.
ReplyDeleteThe Victorian age saw a return to the Arthur legend for several reasons. Firstly Tennyson played a large role in the revival through his 'Idyll's of the King'. Many believe his book was a tribute to Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband who was recently deceased but had been admired and credited with England's successes. . Secondly, this was an era of success for England and the parallels drawn with Arthur justified the Empire and its conquests. Those that felt any anxiety at the British Empire's expansion found some consolation in retreating into the Arthurian legend. In addition the Arthurian legend of the Victorian age paralleled the contemporary society's ideals and strict morality.
ReplyDeleteI admire Lupack's assessment about the matching duality perceived within the Victorian era and the Arthurian world whereby continual human progress is matched by human failings. This is shown firstly in the individual Arthurian characters' inability to attain ideal earthly and spiritual goals, such as the Grail and managing their tangled love lives, but also in balancing the two sides of a person such as being a pure Christian knight and a courtly lover. This is mirrored in the Industrial Revolution's inability to balance technological advances and faith, which had been the cornerstone of society from time immemorial, which occurred in such a way as to draw into doubt previously held conceptions about society and the human condition. Whilst occurring in very separate mediums or outlets, the underlying concept of balancing different goals without losing sight of important beliefs and priorities is maintained in both the Victorian and Arthurian settings.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lupack's evaluation - namely, that the strong parallels between the Arthurian age and that of the Victorian era can be credited with the revival of the story. The conflict between religion and the great advances being made in science and technology were reflected in the Arthurian world with its "great potential for improving the human condition...always frustrated by the failings and imperfections that are inherent in the world."
ReplyDeleteIn addition, the role Romanticism played in the increasing popularity of the Arthurian story cannot easily be overlooked. The story of Arthur is epic and grand, and the love story of Guinevere and Arthur, coupled with mythical elements such as the Lady of the Lake, would no doubt have captured the imagination of those in the Victorian age.