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A Student’s Companion to
Idylls of the King
by Robert W. Watson
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Idylls of the King / 1
T
Introduction to Idylls of the King
HERE is something magical in the name of Camelot.
Whenever “King Arthur” is mentioned, visions come to mind
of bold but courteous knights, of powerful but benign wizards,
and of beautiful but modest ladies. Of course, the stuff forming the
Arthurian legends does violence to our reason, but not to our
imaginations. A longing will always exist for such a place where men
are fearless, where the wicked quake, and where winter is not too cold
and summer is not too hot. In other words, we all desire a paradise.
However, the time of King Arthur, which was the late sixth century,
was not a paradise, but an era of constant conflict. The Roman Empire
had deteriorated, being just a shell of its past grandeur, and thus was
incapable of maintaining order as the world’s policeman. What we
know about the historical Welsh leader called Arthur comes primarily from Geoffrey of
Monmouth in his work, History of the Kings of Britain, which was written in the twelfth
century. Arthur began as a minor chieftain, who successfully brought order to the several
warring factions on the island of England and defended his realm against the Anglo-Saxons for
nearly fifty years. In the fifteenth century, the legends were further refined by Thomas Malory
in his Morte d’Arthur, who wrote his masterpiece while in prison.
Idylls of the King is Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s effort to retell the legends, but in a way that
espouses his belief in the historical cycle with its recurring appearance of the “Great Man.”
Tennyson adapted the Arthurian material to suit his purpose in order to reflect his own attitudes
toward the needs of his age. From Malory, Tennyson borrows two major themes, including the
decay of Camelot due to sin and the vain search for the Holy Grail. With these themes,
Tennyson employs a fairytale quality that gives both a romantic tone and a pleasing quality. To
Tennyson, the moral decay and corruption, though abated somewhat by Queen Victoria’s
Christian example, and the abject materialism that replaced faith in God could not be ignored
by Great Britain without a disastrous effect upon British society. Therefore, Idylls of the King is
arguably an allegory, where Camelot represents not just Great Britain, but any nation that
experiences a new order with youthful hopes, but that ends in utter confusion and death after it
abandons its moral ideals.
The organization of the poem is remarkable, because it demonstrates the cycle that all nations
which forget God must conform to. The pattern is repeated many times in the history of Israel.
First, God reveals Himself through His word. When the people obey the word, then there is a
new energy, and there is a movement toward greatness. However, the people eventually begin
to rely upon their own understanding and reject the guidance of the divine law. Finally, without
an objective standard to guide them, the people fall into apostasy and judgment. This is the state
of things until God reveals Himself again.
Tennyson adopts Thomas Carlyle’s teaching about the Great Man to explain this cycle. As the
old order begins to decay, chaos and confusion is the result. However, a Great Man will
eventually arise, who will create order out of the chaos. The Great Man is earnestly desired to
be emulated by most of the citizens, because this man represents the ideal. Arthur brings order
as the Roman empire fades away. His code of chivalry is the ideal, and his knights gladly make
vows to uphold the ideals of Camelot. However, very early after Camelot’s establishment,
rumors begin to spread. There is also the start of petty dissatisfaction with the strictness of the
code of conduct. Then in Book Six, Merlin is seduced by Vivien, which represents Lust over
Reason. This then is the apex of Camelot. It is downhill from here. Knights and ladies begin to
openly mock the noble standards of the King. We should note that two of the symptoms of a
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dying society are national heroes being debunked and national institutions being no longer
deemed worthy of respect, such as constitutions, churches, and families. Finally, Camelot
completely collapses and is destroyed, not by external forces, but by internal ones. Thus, order
has returned to chaos, and a new order must await the emergence of another Great Man. As you
read Idylls of the King, note how Tennyson incorporates this cycle into the poem.
You will discover that the slide from blessing and glory to the ruin of Camelot was first the loss
of faith in the spiritual ideals of Arthur, then a complete giving over to emotion and the
abandonment of reason, and finally the reliance on materialism and cynicism. Tennyson tries to
warn all nations through this poem that the rejection of the best and the noble will lead to a
crass desire to acquire things for the sake of mere possession, not for the helping of others. The
citizens in a competitive society will neither love God nor neighbor, because competition
breeds selfishness, distrust, and lying. Such societies are under divine judgment. Since this is
the current condition of the United States of America, it is clear that the warning from Idylls of
the King has unfortunately been ignored, and millions have suffered, and will continue to suffer
as American society sinks deeper into moral, economic, and political decay.
However, even though the mood of these times in the American empire is materialistic and
brutal, the individual reader of Idylls of the King may profit greatly with its reading. We do not
have to participate in the mood of these times. By following the ideal, and rejecting the
shallowness of the masses, we effectively judge ourselves. However, be careful. Tennyson’s
standard for moral correctness is not Biblical Christianity, but a transcendentalism that centers
on a vague god which is embodied in good men. While using terms that seem pious, the religion
of Tennyson is directed towards a temporal salvation, not an eternal one. Nevertheless, a careful
reading of this poem will point to the wisdom of separating from this untoward generation by
emulating that most perfect of all Great Men, indeed the Greatest—the Lord Jesus Christ as He
is revealed in the Bible.
ROBERT W. WATSON
Idylls of the King / 3
Idylls of the King
Lesson One
1.1 Vocabulary
puissance n.
hoary adj.
vex v.
minster n.
1.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. The ___________ head of my grandfather perhaps commanded more respect than his wise
words whenever he spoke to his many grandchildren.
2. The kingly ______________ was always unquestioned by the loyal subjects; always in
doubt by rivals for the throne.
3. When we visited Somerset in England, we made sure to visit Glastonbury Abbey, since in
this ____________ was supposedly the place where King Arthur was buried.
4. The fact that the student could not stretch his fingers wide enough to the particular chord
_________ him.
1.3 Reading Assignment: Idylls of the King, Dedication and The Coming of Arthur (pages 1–
15)
1.4 Recall Questions
1. To whom does Tennyson dedicate the Idylls of the King?
2. What was the condition of the land before Arthur came?
3. What happened to the children who were nursed by wolves?
4. Why did Guinevere fail to recognize King Arthur as he came to help her father, Leodogran?
5. What reservation did Leodogran have about allowing Arthur to marry Guinevere?
6. According to Bedivere, to whom did Merlin give Arthur to be raised until the child’s
appointed time?
7. When Bellicent orders her two sons to leave in order for her to tell the secret tale about
Arthur to Leodogran, what does Modred do after he leaves the room?
8. According to Bellicent, where did Bleys and Merlin find the baby Arthur?
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9. Who was the knight that Arthur loved and honored most?
10. At the wedding, who represented the old order that was decaying and no longer had power
over England?
11. How many battles does Arthur have to fight before he is able to unite the kingdom as one
country?
1.5 Critical Thinking
 Discuss how Arthur represents a Christ figure in today’s readings. Is it the role of civil
government to be a “savior,” whether that government is a king or a democracy? Why or
why not?
 Explain in what ways Arthur brings order out of chaos.
1.6 Bonus Thoughts
 Idyll: An idyll is a narrative poem that reflects back to a more peaceful and simpler time. In
other words, the poem is nostalgic, a sense of “homesickness.” Nostalgia is pain, and pain
indicates that we have exceeded our tolerance. The desire of human beings is permanence,
and a constant uprooting by moving to different locations violates this desire to stay put.
Tennyson expresses this pain by showing us a great society that could have remained noble
had it not been undermined by erroneous notions and discontentment.
 “He speaks who tells the tale”: You will find this expression occasionally in Idylls of the
King. In these instances, Tennyson is referring to Thomas Malory, author of Morte
d’Arthur.
 “Our fair father Christ”: This is not a reference to the Christ of the Bible. As explained in
the Introduction, Tennyson uses the terms of Christianity, but these terms are applied to a
kind of transcendentalism. During the Victorian period, Biblical Christianity was believed
to have been refuted by science. The utilitarians relied on cold reason and rejected anything
that could not be proven logically. A good book that pokes fun at the utilitarians is Charles
Dickens’s novel, Hard Times. On the other hand, men like Thomas Carlyle, Charles
Dickens, and Tennyson realized that man not only had a mind, but he had a soul as well.
Nevertheless, they too rejected the Bible, and therefore had to create a “religion” that would
fulfill the spiritual need of the soul. For Carlyle and his two disciples—Dickens and
Tennyson—labor was the new gospel in which men would find fulfillment in life. Notice
that the knights labor for the king, and the king is personified as God. Thus God and king
become one.
Idylls of the King / 5
Idylls of the King
Lesson Two
2.1 Vocabulary
precipitancy n.
vacillate v.
inveterate adj.
seneschal n.
2.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. The arrangements for the grand gala were handled well by the family’s _______________,
who had many years of experience with such affairs.
2. Leigh Ann is quite the opposite of her brother Edward; she ___________ nearly a year to
decide whether she wanted to go to college.
3. Mr. Brown has proven himself an _____________ liar with a pattern of falsehood
developed since he was a small boy.
4. Edward’s rash decision to quit school and join the circle was consistent with his
________________.
2.3 Reading Assignment: Idylls of the King, Gareth and Lynette (pages 16–34)
2.4 Recall Questions
1. Why is Bellicent reluctant to allow Gareth to go to Camelot?
2. What are the conditions that Bellicent imposes upon Gareth in order for him to go to
Arthur’s court?
3. What did Gareth’s servants think about Camelot as soon as they saw the city?
4. What does the Seer reveal about Gareth and his servants?
5. Who is in charge of King Arthur’s kitchen?
6. When a messenger of Mark appears in court with a gift, what does Arthur do with the gift?
7. After Gareth serves in the kitchen for one month, what does Bellicent decide to do?
8. Even though Arthur agrees to allow Gareth to have the next quest, the king asks Lancelot to
do what?
9. What is the boon that Lynette requests of Arthur?
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2.5 Critical Thinking
 Discuss the reasons why young people, like Gareth, are impatient to do “something.” Is it
good for a society to always want “to be doing something”? Does this constant need for
activity suggest maturity or immaturity?
 Discuss whether Gareth represents a good example for humility.
 Compare and contrast Sir Kay with Sir Lancelot.
2.6 Bonus Thoughts
 Merlin and Stonehenge: Much mystery surrounds the memorial called Stonehenge.
Scholars have been puzzled by how the massive stones, which are from Ireland, came to
England. Legend has it that Merlin was responsible for transporting the stones from Ireland.
King Ambrosius wanted to build a memorial and asked for Merlin’s help. Merlin informed
the king that he would have to get the Dance of Giants stones from Ireland. However, in
order to accomplish this, the king would have to fight the Irish. The brother of Ambrosius,
Uther Pendragon, defeated the Irish, and Merlin brought the stones to England to construct
Stonehenge. How Merlin was able to transport the stones is not certain. Of course, Merlin
had great powers. Perhaps the reason for these powers is Merlin was the son of an incubus.
Nevertheless, as soon as the memorial was completed, Merlin saw a star blaze into the form
of a dragon, which meant that Ambrosius would be replaced by Uther Pendragon who in
turn would later have a son (Arthur), destined to be a great ruler. For this reason, references
to dragon is prominent in Idylls of the King.
 The Lady of the Lake: The legends about the Lady of the Lake are few. Arthur’s receiving
of Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake is one legend about the sword. In addition to this,
Lancelot of the Lake is so named because the knight was educated by the Lady of the Lake,
who lived in a castle underwater. Also, one of the “queens” on Arthur’s funeral barge was
the Lady of the Lake.
Idylls of the King / 7
Idylls of the King
Lesson Three
3.1 Vocabulary
agaric n.
petulant adj.
ruth n.
vexillary n.
3.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. The bus ride to Texas was most unpleasant, because two very ______________ children sat
across the aisle, causing a great commotion all of the time.
2. One of the lessons that my uncle taught me in woodcraft was the ability to differentiate the
various kinds of _____________, the good from the harmful.
3. When it came to leading the revolt against the unwarranted spending, Mr. Frost was the
______________ who rallied the opposition against the council.
4. Mrs. Larson found the ___________ expressed in the letter by a friend of her son, who was
killed in an accident, to be both sincere and touching.
3.3 Reading Assignment: Idylls of the King, Gareth and Lynette—cont’d (pages 34–52)
3.4 Recall Questions
1. Who challenges Gareth to a joist before he is able to begin his quest with Lynette?
2. Gareth tells Lynette that he will finish the quest or what?
3. How many of the men did Gareth kill who were going to drown a friend of Arthur’s, a
baron?
4. What reward does Gareth desire of the baron for saving his life?
5. At a bridge, what is the name of the knight, who meets Gareth and Lynette?
6. Why does Gareth state that foul words from Lynette are better than fair ones?
7. What does Gareth command the defeated knight to do?
8. Where do Gareth and Sir Noon-day Sun fight?
9. What does Sir Star of Evening do in order to escape death by Gareth’s sword?
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10. Why was Lancelot delayed in catching up with Gareth and Lynette?
11. What is the one rule that Gareth knows about fighting?
12. When Gareth splits the skull of Death, what does he find?
3.5 Critical Thinking
 Discuss Lynette’s contempt for Gareth. Is it the place for the noble to degrade the common
man? What is the role of true nobility? Is it to use the less privileged for the benefit of the
cultured, or to help elevate the masses to a higher plane by being an example? Who is the
true noble person: Lynette or Gareth?
 Explain the symbolism of the four knights and their connection with life, death, and
resurrection.
3.6 Bonus Thoughts
 Allegory: An allegory is a narrative having characters, events, and even setting composed
in such a way that the work makes sense in itself, but also has a secondary meaning that
corresponds with the characters, events, and setting. The best known allegory in the English
language is John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. The central device in the allegory is the
personification of abstract concepts. Thus in Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian represents all
men who seek eternal salvation. There are several categories of the allegory including the
fable like Joel Chandler Harris’s Tales of Uncle Remus, the parable like those found
throughout the Bible, and the exemplum, a story told as an example for the general text of a
sermon like the tale of three revelers in Chaucer’s Pardoner’s Tale.
Idylls of the King / 9
Idylls of the King
Lesson Four
4.1 Vocabulary
caitiff n.
uxoriousness n.
covert adj.
oust v.
4.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. After the troops took over the palace, the president was quickly _________ as the general of
the army became the dictator of the country.
2. The __________ operations of the guerillas were so secret that even the State Department
was not aware of the activity.
3. I even have to admit that sending flowers everyday to his wife seems to exceed the
_______________ of most men.
4. Whoever hit me from behind and then ran away was nothing but a ______________, a
coward who did not allow me a chance to defend myself.
4.3 Reading Assignment: Idylls of the King, The Marriage of Geraint (pages 52–73)
4.4 Recall Questions
1. What caused Geraint to become concerned that his wife, Enid, would be “tainted” by the
ways of Guinevere?
2. After hearing that his wife was “no true wife,” what does Geraint command Enid to wear?
3. What is significant about this article of clothing?
4. When Geraint inquires of a strange knight’s name, what wound does a dwarf give to
Geraint?
5. What promise does Guinevere give to Geraint as he leaves to avenge the queen?
6. Where was the only place that Geraint was able to find lodging in the town of the Sparrow
Hawk?
7. What was it that caused Geraint to fall in love with Enid?
8. What is the relationship between Yniol and the Sparrow Hawk, and why is the Sparrow
Hawk persecuting Yniol?
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9. Even though Geraint and the Sparrow Hawk were evenly matched, what was Geraint’s edge
in order to defeat his foe?
10. What reason does Geraint give to Lady Yniol for having Enid wear the old dress, rather than
a new one?
4.5 Critical Thinking
 Explain how the order of Camelot and its ideals begin to break down in today’s reading.
 Discuss the Biblical way to respond to a rumor. Consider the following verses in Proverbs:
11:13, 18:8, 20:19, and 26:22.
 Discuss how the lack of openness between Geraint and Enid led to their misunderstandings.
 Consider the song that Enid sings on page 68. Discuss whether this song represents truth, or
a rejection of Biblical faith.
4.5 Bonus Thoughts
 The Warrior and the Worship of the Wife: According to the Bible, every man is to be a
warrior. As the head of the home, it is the father and the husband who is directly responsible
for the safety of his family and the security of his own liberty, not the civil government.
However, the warrior derives his strength from the worship of his wife, who embodies the
modesty and stability of the home. Thus, the unmarried knight had to have a lady’s love, or
at least a token of love, that would encourage him to be brave and to strive toward the ideals
of chivalry. The best teaching on the worship of the wife is found in the Song of Solomon of
the Bible.
 “Hot hiss”: This expression is a good example of the combining of several poetic devices.
First, there is onomatopoeia, a word that resembles the sound that it denotes. In this case,
hiss is an onomatopoeia. Second, Tennyson makes a good use of sounds. Hot hiss is a
consonance where the initial consonant is the same, but the vowel sound is different.
Finally, the imagery is striking here. Hot offers the image of touch, and hiss the image of
hearing.
 Whitsuntide: This term refers to the week that begins on Whitsunday, which is also known
as the day of Pentecost.
Idylls of the King / 11
Idylls of the King
Lesson Five
5.1 Vocabulary
purblind adj.
promontory n.
victuals n. [note pronunciation]
quitch n.
5.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. We knew our sea voyage was nearly finished as soon as we saw the _____________, the
prominent landmark that is the first to greet us weary sailors.
2. After wandering about the forest for two days, we were very happy to eat the ___________
placed in front of us by the mountaineer who found us, even if the food was possum and
fried snake.
3. The ____________ leaders were slow to understand that the people no longer would
tolerate the lax unaccountability of public funds.
4. The toughest weed we had to eradicate was the couch grass, or _____________.
5.3 Reading Assignment: Idylls of the King, Geraint and Enid (pages 73–97)
5.4 Recall Questions
1. According to the poet, how do we “forge a lifelong trouble for ourselves”?
2. What command does Geraint give to Enid regarding her speaking to him during the
journey?
3. After he kills the six bandits, what does Geraint do with the bodies of the slain?
4. What does Geraint give to the boy in exchange for the food that he had eaten?
5. While Geraint and Enid were staying in the village, who happens to be the lord of the
realm?
6. After being warned by Enid about Limours’s intent, what does Geraint pay to Limours for
being his host?
7. Why does Geraint fall off of his horse after the battle with Limours?
8. Who comes by the way to “help” Enid with Geraint?
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9. After Enid refuses to change her poor dress, what does Earl Doorm do to her?
10. As Geraint and Enid escape the castle of Doorm, whom do they meet in the way?
11. What was the name that was given to Enid by the grateful people?
5.5 Critical Thinking
 Discuss the transformation of Edyrn (the Sparrow Hawk). What does God say about the
proud and the arrogant?
 Explain how Enid is a symbol for charity. Study I Corinthians 13:4–7 in connection with
this topic.
5.6 Bonus Thoughts
 Leech: This word for a doctor is derived from the Middle English word leche, which means
physician. Is was considered good medical “practice” to use blood-sucking creatures called
leeches to bleed patients. One wonders which of the current medical “practices” will be
thought just as ridiculous as the use of leeches of old.
Idylls of the King / 13
Idylls of the King
Lesson Six
6.1 Vocabulary
pursuivant n.
thrall n.
cognizance n.
wold n.
6.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. Many commentators have been warning citizens that their apathy for permitting the civil
government to do as it wishes merely shows that they are not free men, but _____________.
2. The guru was followed by several of his _______________, who were convinced that he
was the one who would bring peace to the world.
3. When William selected the location to build his house, he ensured that the front faced both
forest and _____________.
4. When he walked through his corn field, John took immediate __________ that his crop was
suffering from a fungus.
6.3 Reading Assignment: Idylls of the King, Balin and Balan (pages 97–113)
6.4 Recall Questions
1. Who overthrows the two knights at the well that challenged every knight that passed their
way?
2. Why was Balin sent into exile for three years?
3. After being astonished by King Pellam’s religious conversion, what does the treasurer find
on the way back to Camelot?
4. Who volunteers to hunt for the demon in the woods?
5. Even though he endeavors to learn to be a true knight, what does Balin think he needs in
order to remain faithful to his chivalric vows?
6. Regarding his shield, what does Balin substitute in the place of his “grinning” beast?
7. What causes Balin to leave Camelot to seek a quest?
8. While in Pellam’s castle, who speaks ill of Guinevere, and with whom does Balin have an
exchange of angry words?
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9. What does Balin find in the chapel that he uses as a weapon?
10. After escaping from Pellam’s castle, what does Balin do with is shield?
11. According to Vivien, what is “the fire of heaven”?
12. After believing Vivien’s lie about Guinevere, what does Balin do with his shield?
13. Who does Balin kill with the spear in the woods?
14. What caused the death of Balin?
6.5 Critical Thinking
 Support or criticize the following statement: “Man’s word is God in man.”
 Analyze the religious conversion of King Pellam. Is this a Biblical conversion, or a mystic
one? What is the difference between regeneration and mysticism?
 Regarding Balin, discuss how the internal ideals of Camelot are becoming materialized with
tangible objects.
 Balin readily believed Vivien’s lie about Lancelot and Guinevere. Discuss why human
beings are so apt to believe lies rather than the truth.
6.6 Bonus Thought
 Joseph of Arimathæa: The Church of England claims to be the true Christian church in
spite of the fact that the Church of Rome insists that it is the true church which centers its
fabled claim on Apostle Peter’s being the first pope. Earliest Christian legend states that
Joseph of Arimathæa took possession of the cup of Christ, from which the Lord drank
during the last supper before his crucifixion. Several ancient manuscripts indicate that after
the ascension of Jesus Christ, Joseph of Arimathæa was commissioned by the Apostle
Philip to take the gospel to Britain. In his Victory of Aurelius Ambrosius, Gildas Albanicus
writes that Britain received the gospel during the reign of Emperor Tiberius, the stepson and
successor of Augustus Caesar, and that Joseph was sent with others to Britain by Philip in
anno Domini 63. There, Joseph was to preach Christ, and he stayed in Britain for the rest of
his life. Another manuscript, De Antiquite Glastonbiensis Ecclesia, states, “St. Philip…
coming into the country of the Franks to preach…converted to the Faith, and baptized them.
Working to spread Christ's word, he chose twelve from among his disciples, and sent them
into Britain. Their leader, it was said, was St. Philip’s dearest friend, Joseph of Arimathæa,
who buried the Lord.” Joseph apparently built the first church building in Glastonbury,
where the cup of Christ was kept. Later the Holy Grail was lost. Whether any of this is true,
we may never know for certain.
 Donjon and Dungeon: The word donjon is derived from a Vulgar Latin word, domni½,
meaning “the lord’s tower,” which came from the Latin dominus, “master.” The first
appearance of the term is first recorded in a fourteenth-century work as a word meaning “a
fortress, or a castle.” More than likely, dungeon does not come from the Latin, but from the
Idylls of the King / 15
a Germanic word related to our word dung. Originally, a dungeon was an underground
cellar that was kept dark in order to store vegetables and fruits. To prevent the food from
freezing during winter, animal dung was piled on top of the cellar. Later, the dungeon came
to be associated with the storing of prisoners, along with dampness and rats. On the other
hand, a donjon is the heavily fortified main tower of a castle. Thus, the donjon is above the
ground, while the dungeon is below the ground.
 “I better prize / The living dog than the dead lion”: This statement by Vivien is an
allusion to the Bible: “For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living
dog is better than a dead lion” (Ecclesiastes 9:4)
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Idylls of the King
Lesson Seven
7.1 Vocabulary
askance adv.
lissome adj.
tryst n.
prurient adj.
7.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. Karen and Philip for months had designated the old apple tree as their weekly
____________, where Philip read to Karen his latest poetry.
2. The gymnast completed her routine which amazed the audience, because the moves
required a very _____________ body.
3. After being kicked so often, the poor dog would look _______________ whenever anyone
entered the room.
4. The courts used to support communities who did not wish ____________ literature to be
distributed in the local stores, but pornography is now increasingly being protected under
the first amendment.
7.3 Reading Assignment: Idylls of the King, Merlin and Vivien (pages 113–137)
7.4 Recall Questions
1. According to Vivien while speaking to King Mark, in what example do the young knights at
Camelot put their pride?
2. Where was Vivien born?
3. What lie does Vivien say to Guinevere in order to gain entrance to Camelot?
4. Why did Vivien become the laughter of the court at Camelot?
5. Who enters the boat with Merlin when he decides to get away from Camelot for a while?
6. What Biblical allusion does Vivien use when she asks Merlin whether he loved her?
7. What charm does Vivien desire Merlin to teach her?
8. Regarding trust, Merlin tells Vivien that rather than not trusting her, what is his fault?
9. According to Vivien, what statement is the “pearl of pearls”?
Idylls of the King / 17
10. How did Merlin learn about the charm that Vivien sought?
11. Who are the four knights that Vivien tries to slander without success?
12. After hearing the word “harlot,” Vivien jumps up from Merlin and reaches for something
that is not there. What is this something?
13. What happens when Vivien takes an oath to be struck by lightening if she was lying to
Merlin?
14. What did the woods echo as Vivien leaves Merlin?
7.5 Critical Thinking
 Discuss the possible meanings of “A storm was coming.”
 Explain how Vivien symbolizes the serpent (Satan).
 Discuss the consequences to a society whenever Passion (Vivien) seduces Reason (Merlin).
 Discuss why the knights, Arthur, and Merlin flirt with the evilness of Vivien. Is it wise to
“play” with sin?
7.6 Bonus Thought
 Vivien and Morgan le Fay: Both of these names refer to the same woman. In the earliest
accounts of Morgan le Fay, she is called a healer. In almost every Arthurian story, Morgan
le Fay is portrayed as having magic, a skill that she learned from Merlin. According to
Malory, Morgan le Fay became angry with Arthur after he killed one of her lovers. Once the
lady arranges for Sir Accolon to get Excalibur in order for him to kill Arthur with it. Having
failed in this attempt on the king’s life, the seductress must resort to working within to
destroy Arthur. Morgan le Fay tried to arrange Arthur’s downfall again through the use of
magic to make herself appear young, and scheming to embarrass and harm Arthur and his
court. A people is seldom destroyed by outside forces and pressure, but generally by
internal dissention and treason.
18 / Idylls of the King
Idylls of the King
Lesson Eight
8.1 Vocabulary
languid adj.
myriad adj.
disparagement n.
stanch v.
8.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. The speaker was unnerved a bit when he noticed his ______________ audience to be
yawning, rubbing their eyes, and looking distracted in general.
2. To threaten a crying child with a spanking seems to be an odd way to ____________ the
flow of tears.
3. Joan was overwhelmed by the _____________ tasks that she had to perform on her new
job; so many duties in fact that she quit the next day.
4. We knew the incumbent’s campaign for re-election was in trouble, because he only
expressed a __________________ that attacked his opponent’s character.
8.3 Reading Assignment: Idylls of the King, Lancelot and Elaine (pages 137–154)
8.4 Recall Questions
1. What does Elaine guard and admire in her tower?
2. How did Arthur come into possession of the jewels that he offered for a prize?
3. After Lancelot had won all of the joists and received all of the gems, what was his plan to
do with the jewels?
4. Why is Lancelot angry with himself?
5. Why does Lancelot ask Lord Astolat to furnish him a shield in place of his own?
6. What does Elaine dream about the diamond?
7. What favor does Lancelot wear that belonged to Elaine?
8. How does Lancelot get wounded in the side?
9. Who was able to stop the loss of blood from the wound that Lancelot received?
Idylls of the King / 19
10. Who is given the task to find the unknown knight and to present him with the diamond?
8.5 Critical Thinking
 Explain how Guinevere shows the further decay of the ideals of Camelot.
 Discuss the incidents in today’s reading that suggest the knights were beginning to weary
with the ideals of Camelot.
8.6 Bonus Thought
 Heraldry: The reference to Arthur’s knights being recognized by the coats of arms on their
shields is historically inaccurate. It was not until the twelfth-century when knights in Europe
began painting their shields to identify themselves. The earliest coats of arms were
generally very simple. The practice of identifying oneself with a coats of arms became very
popular, resulting in more symbols being needed and the coats of arms becoming more
complex. Eventually, the kings were the ones who officially granted the use of coats of
arms, which allowed them a political opportunity to honor people and groups. Court heralds
became responsible for registering the coats of arms of the king’s subjects.
20 / Idylls of the King
Idylls of the King
Lesson Nine
9.1 Vocabulary
gaunt adj.
dolorous adj.
obsequies n.
mere n.
9.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. Desolate and _____________, the wasteland seemed to stretch for miles without any water
in sight.
2. There is a place high up in the mountains with a _________ of cold, clear water that I claim
for my very own, a place that refreshes my mind and soul.
3. The beloved prince was buried after the people witnessed one of the most impressive
_____________ that they had ever observed at a funeral.
4. There was such a ____________ mood among the inhabitants of the village, who lost so
many friends and relatives in the fatal mud slide.
9.3 Reading Assignment: Idylls of the King, Lancelot and Elaine—cont’d (pages 154–172)
9.4 Recall Questions
1. What does Sir Gawain do with the diamond that he was to give to Lancelot?
2. How was Guinevere’s jealousy manifested when the knights pledged to Lancelot and
Elaine?
3. According to the hermit, with what did he credit the recovery of Lancelot?
4. What request does Elaine ask Lancelot when he presses upon her to ask of him a favor?
5. What does Elaine’s father suggest to Lancelot to do that was against the knight’s nature?
6. When Lancelot leaves, what does Elaine notice about his helmet?
7. What is the request that Elaine gives to her father as she is about to die?
8. What does Guinevere do with the gems after Lancelot presents them to her?
Idylls of the King / 21
9. In Elaine’s letter, what did the maid of Astolat reveal to be her true love?
10. Even though Lancelot knew that he was Arthur’s greatest knight, what did he know about
himself?
9.5 Critical Thinking
 Compare the reaction of Elaine and Guinevere to rumors.
 Analyze the jealousy of Guinevere. Was this jealousy justified? Why or why not?
 Discuss the emptiness that Lancelot felt after he achieved the goal that he sought. Should
goals be attainable, or should they be ideals that cannot be attained in order to ensure a
constant striving upward?
9.6 Bonus Thought
 The Lady of Shalott: Tennyson’s poem, “The Lady of Shalott,” is about the story of
Elaine. By looking through a mirror, Elaine can view the world, but she cannot truly
understand it without going into the actual world. In this poem, Elaine symbolizes the poet
who can only write beneficial poetry for a world when he leaves his comfortable
surroundings and ventures out into that world. Therefore, to be able to offer something
worthwhile to the world, the poet must die to himself.
22 / Idylls of the King
Idylls of the King
Lesson Ten
10.1 Vocabulary
grail n.
breviary n.
yule n.
scud n.
10.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. In England, the Christmas season is often called _____________.
2. Kevin began searching everywhere for his uncle’s book as if he was on a quest to find the
_______________.
3. The priest was frantic because he was unable to find his _______________, which
contained many valuable notes.
4. On the hillside, I enjoy the feeling of the ___________ as I watch the tall grass move back
and forth between each gust.
10.3 Reading Assignment: Idylls of the King, The Holy Grail (pages 172–195)
10.4 Recall Questions
1. What was the occupation of Sir Percivale at the end of his life?
2. According to Percivale, what was the reason for his leaving the Round Table?
3. To which city in England did Joseph of Arimathæa keep the grail?
4. According to Percivale, what caused him and several of his fellow knights to begin praying
and fasting in order to see the grail?
5. What does Percivale’s sister make from her hair, and to whom does she give this item?
6. What was the misconception shared by the knights of the Round Table concerning Merlin?
7. When Arthur returned to the hall of the Round Table, who was the only knight who saw the
grail when the king asked if any had seen it?
8. What does Arthur predict will be the result of the quest for the Holy Grail?
9. As Percivale rides on the quest, what happens to the landscape to those that he sees?
Idylls of the King / 23
10. According to the hermit, what is the mother of all virtues?
11. As Galahad reached the other side of the “great black swamp,” what does Percivale see
Galahad get into?
12. What was the occasion when Percivale “wail’d and wept, and hated [his] own self”?
13. Whom did Sir Bors meet and who had gone mad?
14. When Sir Bors saw the circle of seven stars, what did he see glide past him?
15. As he was about to enter the castle of Carbonek, what instructions did Lancelot receive
about entering?
16. What was the percentage of the knights that returned from the quest?
10.5 Critical Thinking
 Discuss how the faith in the ideals of Camelot is now replaced by mysticism with its need to
have physical objects to substantiate purpose in life.
 Compare the fire of Vivien on page 112 with the different references to fire in today’s
reading. Are the fires the same? Why or why not?
10.6 Bonus Thoughts
 The Fisher King: Even though it has Celtic origins, the legend of the Fisher King was
prominent in France. Also known as the Rich Fisher or the Angler, the Fisher King was the
keeper of the Holy Grail. The Fisher King is identified as either Bron or Hebron, which
makes him, according to legend, the brother-in-law of Joseph of Arimathæa. The later
accounts of the story make the Fisher King to be Pelles, father of Elaine. The king however
lost the Holy Grail, became wounded, and his kingdom began to suffer drought and famine.
The nature of the Fisher King’s wound differs from the different versions of the story, but
usually the wound is some form of castration or other loss of fertility. Therefore, the king
and the kingdom are connected since both are incapable of giving life. The search for the
Holy Grail, at least for Sir Percivale, was to recover the cup and to heal the king and
indirectly heal the land. The legend of the Fisher King has made a revival as it is a central
part of T. S. Eliot’s poem, “The Waste Land.”
 Sir Galahad: One of the legends about Elaine was that she had Morgan le Fay to change
her into the likeness of Guinevere. Poor Lancelot had a spell cast on him and succumbed to
the temptation. The result was Elaine has a child and named him Galahad. When Lancelot
learned of the deception and his sin, the knight went mad and disappeared. Arthur had his
knights look for Lancelot, but without success. Finally, Lancelot returns to Elaine, who
nursed him back to health, both physically and mentally. When Lancelot leaves Elaine
without so much as saying thanks, the distraught woman kills herself.
24 / Idylls of the King
Idylls of the King
Lesson Eleven
11.1 Vocabulary
fain adv.
abash v.
askew adv.
fulsome adj.
quail v.
11.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. Janet was _____________ when she arrived at the formal gathering wearing a blue shoe and
a brown one.
2. It is a bold man indeed who will not _____________ in the face of adversity.
3. Your argument seems to be __________, because it moves from a descriptive premise to a
prescription conclusion.
4. I would __________ improve my opportunities to make a new friend every day.
5. The _____________ attentions from the politician did not fool the millionaire who had to
endure the solicitations of numerous beggars just like him.
11.3 Reading Assignment: Idylls of the King, Pelleas and Ettarre (pages 195–210)
11.4 Recall Questions
1. Why did Pelleas desire to be a knight?
2. What awakens Pelleas after he had rested on a hillside?
3. In what way does Ettarre “use” Pelleas to achieve her ends?
4. How did Arthur ensure that Pelleas would be the victor of the joist?
5. After possessing the crown as “Queen of Beauty,” what does Ettarre call Sir Pelleas?
6. After he successfully overthrows all of the knights sent against him by Ettarre, how is
Pelleas finally able to appear before his “lady”?
7. After Pelleas tells Ettarre that she will see him no more, why does Ettarre think to herself
that Pelleas could never really love her?
8. Who is the knight who devises a plan to help Pelleas win the love of Ettarre?
Idylls of the King / 25
9. What does Pelleas leave behind when he sees the knight beside Ettarre?
10. What does Pelleas finally understand about this “love” for Ettarre?
11. Who shatters Pelleas’s confidence even in Guinevere’s purity?
12. What is Modred’s thought after he witnesses the scene between Pelleas, Lancelot, and
Guinevere?
11.5 Critical Thinking
 Discuss how the citizens of Arthur’s realm have abandoned completely the spiritual ideals
of Camelot and have adopted materialism, even though some of the forms of courtesy since
exist.
 Pelleas errs in mistaking the physical beauty of Ettarre to be a reflection of the beauty of her
soul. Discuss how the beauty of the soul is expressed outwardly.
 Discuss the difference between love and lust.
 Explain how Ettarre represents the growing contempt for Arthur and his ideals.
 Discuss how Gawain represents the loss of moral values in the decaying order.
11.6 Bonus Thoughts
 Revenge: Pelleas desired revenge, but checks himself when he realizes that his honor was
greater than his correcting his perceived injustice. Yet, was Pelleas wronged at all? It is true
that Pelleas was used, lied to, and made a fool, but none of these activities are worthy of
death. Fortunately his vow to do right intervened to prevent his committing a tragic murder.
While many in Camelot were given over to materialism and lust, Pelleas still had enough
reason left to do right. Study these following verses in the Bible about revenge: Jeremiah
15:15; Ezekiel 25:15–17; Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30.
26 / Idylls of the King
Idylls of the King
Lesson Twelve
12.1 Vocabulary
carcanet n.
plaintive adj.
languorous adj.
paramount adj.
unguent n.
12.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. Rebecca applied the _____________ to the wound of Ivanhoe, and the knight recovered
remarkably well from the healing balm.
2. During the funeral service for the former pastor of the church, the members shed many a
_____________ tear that expressed their keen sorrow.
3. According to Henry David Thoreau, the ____________ needs of man is shelter, food,
clothing, and fuel.
4. The _____________ city, oppressed by the searing evening heat, slowly began to move as
the sun promised no rain today.
5. The ______________ was presented to my great-grandmother by the Queen Victoria. The
gems are so valuable that my mother never wears the necklace.
12.3 Reading Assignment: Idylls of the King, The Last Tournament (pages 210–229)
12.4 Recall Questions
1. What is the name of the fool in Arthur’s court?
2. What did Lancelot find in an eagle’s nest?
3. What happens to Nestling and the carcanet?
4. Why does the Red Knight claim that his knights are nobler than those of Arthur’s?
5. Who enters the tournament dressed in green?
6. What does the winner of the tournament announce to the crowd?
7. According to Dagonet, who is the “dirty nurse”?
8. Whom does Tristram love in England, and whom does he marry in Brittany (France)?
Idylls of the King / 27
9. After Tristram awakens from his dream, why was the lone woman crying?
10. When Isolt asks Tristram to vow to her that he would always love her, what is his reply?
11. When Arthur returned to Camelot, whom does he find crying?
12.5 Critical Thinking
 Explain how Dagonet the Fool is a symbol of the decay of the Round Table.
 Read pages 222–223 concerning Tristram’s discussion about vows. Discuss the knight’s
initial reverence to vows and his changed attitude later. What is the biblical teaching about
vows?
12.6 Bonus Thoughts
 Isolt the Fair and Isolt of the White Hands: The legend of Tristram and his loves can be
confusing if the reader did not know that there were two different women by the same name
that had captured the heart of the knight. Tennyson uses a different version of the story. The
other account states that Tristram is wounded by a poisoned arrow and makes it back to his
castle and Isolt of the White Hands. Tristram knows that he will die if Isolt the Fair does not
come to heal him. Isolt in Britain is sent for. The signal was to be a white sail if Isolt was
onboard the ship, and a black sail if she was not. When it was announced that the ship
approached, Tristram asked Isolt his wife what the color of the sail was. Even though the
sail was white, Isolt told the dying knight that the sail was black. Upon hearing this bad
news, Tristram died. Isolt the Fair also died when she heard of the death of Tristram. Both
of the bodies were taken back to England where Mark allowed the two to be buried in his
own chapel. According to this legend, a vine continuous grew out of the grave of Tristram
in spite of all efforts to stop it and went to Isolt the Fair’s grave.
The use of a white or black sail is also recorded in the myth of Theseus as he returns from
killing the Minotaur. If Theseus was successful, he was to use a white sail. However, if
Theseus was killed, then the ship’s master was to signal with a black sail. Even though the
mission was successful, everyone on the ship forgot to hoist the white sail. When Theseus’s
father, Aegeus, saw the black sail, he thought that his son was dead, and he committed
suicide.
28 / Idylls of the King
Idylls of the King
Lesson Thirteen
13.1 Vocabulary
shrift n.
garrulous adj.
rapine n.
voluptuous adj.
retinue n.
13.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. Robert avoided Patsy whenever he could, because the woman had a _____________ way of
never coming to the point and always changing the subject in the middle of a sentence.
2. The priest heard the ___________ of the faithful man, who was burdened about a wrong
that he committed years ago.
3. The Vikings expanded their _____________ to northern France, which was later called
Normandy, a derivative from “North Men.”
4. Since he liked seeing people wait on him, the ______________ of the king was doubled
when Tom Canty took the place of Edward VI.
5. The smell of the oranges and mangos added to the _____________ atmosphere of the
tropical island.
13.3 Reading Assignment: Idylls of the King, Guinevere (pages 229–246)
13.4 Recall Questions
1. Who was the reason for Guinevere’s leaving Camelot and coming to the abbey at
Almesbury?
2. Who catches Modred spying on the Queen?
3. Who overhears the plans for the last meeting between Guinevere and Lancelot?
4. How many attendants were present with Guinevere?
5. What was the purpose of Arthur going to France to wage war against Lancelot?
6. After the novice talked about the affairs at Camelot, what does Guinevere suspect the nuns
of doing?
7. According to Arthur, why does he care not to live any longer?
8. What is the penalty for treason?
Idylls of the King / 29
9. Why does Guinevere realize that suicide is not an option to rid her of her guilt?
10. According to Guinevere, what was her God-given duty on earth?
11. Eventually, what did Guinevere become?
13.5 Critical Thinking
 Explain how Guinevere’s guilty conscience would manifest itself. Does the conscience play
an important role in regeneration and salvation? Why or why not?
 Compare Guinevere’s speech on page 141–142 with that on page 239–240. Is Guinevere
truly repentant, or is she merely sorry that she got caught in her sin? Give reasons for your
answer.
13.6 Bonus Thoughts
 Abbey: These monastic communities are especially popular among the orders of the
Benedictines and the Cistercians. These monasteries consist of not less than twelve monks
or nuns, who are ruled by an abbot or an abbess. Many of these abbeys were originally selfsupporting. In the Benedictine expansion after the eighth century, abbeys were often
important centers for learning and the arts, becoming oftentimes the center of many towns.
The physical makeup of the abbey consists of buildings surrounding a church and includes a
dormitory, refectory, and guest house, all being surrounded by a wall. The courtyard,
derived from the Roman atrium was a normal feature, as was the cloister or arcade
surrounding the court. Many of the abbeys were ornate, but Cistercian ones were rather
unpretentious.
30 / Idylls of the King
Idylls of the King
Lesson Fourteen
14.1 Vocabulary
brandish v.
samite n.
margin n.
wistful adj.
swarthy adj.
14.2 Vocabulary Exercise
1. Since Martha wanted her Medieval costume to be authentic, her dress was made of
_____________, which was a popular material used during the Middle Ages.
2. Brad’s ___________ face is the result of his working out in the family garden during the hot
day.
3. The thin row of pine trees offers a scant _____________ between us and our neighbor’s
property.
4. At the police station, Adam sat quietly in _________ contemplation, reflecting back and
trying to remember at what point he began to get into so much trouble.
5. Dad really looked funny as he ____________ the fireplace poker like a French swordsman.
14.3 Reading Assignment: Idylls of the King, The Passing of Arthur (pages 247–260)
14.4 Recall Questions
1. Who was the last of the knights of the Round Table?
2. Who tells Arthur that he will die the following night?
3. According to Arthur, who “belongs to his house”?
4. Who gives Arthur his fatal wound?
5. When Bedivere returns without obeying Arthur’s command, how does Arthur know that he
had disobeyed him?
6. On his second attempt to cast Excalibur into the lake, what is his reasoning for not doing
so?
7. What does Arthur vow to do, if Bedivere does not cast Excalibur into the lake?
8. What did Bedivere see as Excalibur was about to enter the lake?
Idylls of the King / 31
9. How many “queens” were in the funeral barge that took Arthur?
10. According to Arthur, men who do not pray are no better than what?
11. Where is the barge taking Arthur?
14.5 Critical Thinking
 Identify the different symbols and references to death in today’s reading.
 Discuss the hope of the resurrection in today’s reading.
14.6 Bonus Thoughts
 The Final Conflict: Tennyson leaves out how the battle with Modred began. Arthur had
agreed to meet with Modred in Camlann. Gawain, who was killed in the wars with
Lancelot, appeared in a dream to Arthur and told him to make a truce with Modred for one
month in order to give Lancelot time to return to England to help Arthur. The two armies
met under the condition that during the talks, if anyone drew a sword, then the truce would
be over. A soldier in Arthur’s ranks was bitten by a snake, and he drew his sword to kill it.
The talks were over and the battle began.
 King Arthur’s Resting Place: King Arthur was reportedly buried in the churchyard of
Glastonbury Abbey. As hints and rumors over the years became numerous, the monks at the
abbey dug up the supposed location. The monks dug down seven feet and unearthed a slab
of stone, and under this slab was a 12-inch lead cross with a Latin inscription, Hic iacet
sepultus inclitus rex arturius in insula avalonia, thus translated “Here lies buried the
renowned King Arthur in the Isle of Avalon.” Some smaller bones and a lock of hair that
crumbled away when touched were explained as once belonging to Guinevere. The bones
from the grave were stored in caskets, and in 1278 during a visit by Edward I, the caskets
were transferred to a black marble tomb before the high altar of the Abbey’s church. There
the remains stayed until the Abbey was vandalized years later. The caskets have been
missing ever since. Today a marker indicates the spot of the last-known resting place of this
mighty king, whose life and death gave rise to so many myths and legends.
32 / Idylls of the King
Glossary for Idylls of the King
abash (…-b²sh“) v. To make ashamed or uneasy; disconcert; embarrass
agaric (²g“-…r-¹k) n. Any of various mushrooms having large umbrella-like caps
askance (…-sk²ns“) adv. With disapproval, suspicion, or distrust; with a sideways glance;
obliquely
askew (…-sky›“) adv. To one side; awry
brandish (br²n“d¹sh) v. To wave or flourish something menacingly
breviary (br¶“v¶-μr”¶) n. An ecclesiastical term referring to a book containing the hymns,
offices, and prayers
caitiff (k³“t¹f) n. A despicable coward; a wretch
carcanet (kär“k…-nμt”) n. An archaic term for a jeweled necklace, collar, or headband
cognizance (k¼g“n¹-z…ns) n. Conscious knowledge or recognition; awareness; observance;
notice
covert (k¾v“…rt) adj. Not openly practiced or avowed; secret; covered or covered over; sheltered
disparagement (d¹-sp²r“¹j-mμnt) n. Speaking of in a slighting way; belittlement
dolorous (d½“l…r-…s) adj. Marked by or exhibiting sorrow, grief, or pain
fain (f³n) adv. Happily; gladly
fulsome (f‹l“s…m) adj. Offensively flattering or insincere; offensive to the taste or sensibilities
gaunt (gônt) adj. Thin and bony; emaciated and haggard; drawn; bleak and desolate; barren
garrulous (g²r“…-l…s) adj. Given to excessive and often trivial or rambling talk; tiresomely
talkative; wordy and rambling
grail (gr³l) n. The cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper and that later became the object of many
chivalrous quests; the Holy Grail; the object of a prolonged endeavor
hoary (hôr“¶) adj. Gray or white with or as if with age; so old as to inspire veneration; ancient
inveterate (¹n-vμt“…r-¹t) adj. Firmly and long established; deep-rooted; persisting in an ingrained
habit; habitual
languid (l²ng“gw¹d) adj. or languorous (l²ng“g…r-…s) adj. Lacking energy or vitality; weak;
showing little or no spirit or animation; listless; lacking vigor or force
lissome (l¹s“…m) adj. Easily bent; supple; having the ability to move with ease; limber
margin (mär“j¹n) n. An edge and the area immediately adjacent to it; a border
mere (mîr) n. A small lake, pond, or marsh
minster (m¹n“st…r) n. Chiefly British. A monastery church
myriad (m¹r“¶-…d) adj. Constituting a very large, indefinite number; innumerable
obsequies (¼b“s¹-kw¶z) n. Usually in the plural form, a funeral rite or ceremony
oust (oust) v. To eject from a position or place; force out; to take the place of by force; supplant
paramount (p²r“…-mount”) adj. Of chief concern or importance; supreme in rank, power, or
authority; dominant
petulant (pμch“…-l…nt) adj. Unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered; peevish; contemptuous in
speech or behavior
plaintive (pl³n“t¹v) adj. Expressing sorrow; mournful or melancholy
precipitancy (pr¹-s¹p“¹-t…n-s¶) n. Action or thought marked by impulsiveness or rash haste
promontory (pr¼m“…n-tôr”¶) n. A high ridge of land or rock jutting out into a body of water; a
headland
Idylls of the King / 33
prurient (pr‹r“¶-…nt) adj. Inordinately interested in matters of sex; lascivious; arousing or
appealing to an inordinate interest in sex
puissance (pw¹s“…ns) n. Power; might
purblind (pûr“blºnd”) adj. Having poor vision; nearly or partly blind; slow in understanding or
discernment; dull
pursuivant (pûr“sw¹-v…nt) n. A follower or an attendant; an officer in the British Colleges of
Heralds who ranks below a herald
quail (kw³l) v. To shrink back in fear; cower; recoil
quitch (kwich) n. Another name for couch grass, quack grass, and witch grass, a variety that
originated in Eurasia and has become a troublesome weed in the New World
rapine (r²p“¹n) n. Forcible seizure of another's property; plunder
retinue (rμt“n-›”) n. The retainers or attendants accompanying a high-ranking person
ruth (r›th) n. Compassion or pity for another; sorrow or misery about one's own misdeeds or
flaws
samite (s²m“ºt”) n. A heavy silk fabric, often interwoven with gold or silver, worn in the Middle
Ages
scud (sk¾d) n. A wind-driven cloud, mist, or rain; a gust of wind; a ragged low cloud, moving
rapidly beneath another cloud layer
seneschal (sμn“…-sh…l) n. An official in a medieval noble household in charge of domestic
arrangements and the administration of servants; a steward or major-domo
shrift (shr¹ft) n. An archaic term meaning the confession to a priest or the absolution given by a
priest
stanch (stônch) v. To stop or check the flow of a liquid like blood or tears; to stop the flow of
blood from a wound; to check or allay
swarthy (swôr“th¶) adj. Having a dark complexion or color
thrall (thrôl) n. a slave or serf; one who is intellectually or morally enslaved; servitude; bondage
tryst (tr¹st) n. An agreement to meet at a certain time and place; a meeting or meeting place that
has been agreed on
unguent (¾ng“gw…nt) n. A salve for soothing or healing; an ointment
uxoriousness (¾k-sôr“¶-…s-n¹s) n. Excessively submissive or devoted to one’s wife
vacillate (v²s“…-l³t”) v. To sway from one side to the other; oscillate; to swing indecisively from
one course of action or opinion to another; to hesitate
vex (vμks) v. To annoy, as with petty importunities; bother; to cause perplexity in; puzzle; to
bring distress or suffering to; plague or afflict
vexillary (vμk“s…-lμr”¶) n. A member of the oldest class of army veterans who served under a
special standard in ancient Rome; a standard-bearer
victuals (v¹t“lz) n. Food supplies; provisions
voluptuous (v…-l¾p“ch›-…s) adj. Giving, characterized by, or suggesting ample, unrestrained
pleasure to the senses; devoted to or indulging in sensual pleasures
wistful (w¹st“f…l) adj. Full of wishful yearning; pensively sad; melancholy
wold (w½ld) n. A rolling plain lacking trees; a moor
yule (y›l) n. Christmas, or the season or feast celebrating Christmas
34 / Idylls of the King
Idylls of the King (Lessons 1–5)
Vocabulary Quiz #1
Instructions: Match the word with its definition.
A. puissance
D. minster
G. inveterate
J. petulant
M. caitiff
P. oust
S. victuals
B. hoary
E. precipitancy
H. seneschal
K. ruth
N. uxoriousness
Q. purblind
T. quitch
C. vex
F. vacillate
I. agaric
L. vexillary
O. covert
R. promontory
1. _____ unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered
2. _____ a monastery church
3. _____ to eject from a position or place; force out
4. _____ to sway indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another
5. _____ a high ridge of land or rock jutting out into a body of water
6. _____ a standard bearer
7. _____ power; might
8. _____ a name for a variety of grass from Eurasia
9. _____ having poor vision; nearly or partly blind
10. ____ firmly and long established; deep-rooted
11. _____ any of various mushrooms having large umbrella-like caps
12. _____ food supplies; provisions
13. _____ to annoy as with petty importunities; bother; plague or afflict
14. _____ excessively submissive or devoted to one’s wife
15. _____ a despicable coward; a wretch
16. _____ action or thought marked by impulsiveness or rash haste
17. _____ not openly practiced or avowed; secret
18. _____ compassion or pity for another
19. _____ gray or white with or as with age
20. _____ an official in a medieval noble household in charge of domestic
arrangements
Idylls of the King (Lessons 6–10)
Vocabulary Quiz #2
Instructions: Match the word with its definition.
A. pursuivant
D. wold
G. tryst
J. myriad
M. gaunt
P. mere
S. yule
B. thrall
E. askance
H. prurient
K. disparagement
N. dolorous
Q. grail
T. scud
C. cognizance
F. lissome
I. languid
L. stanch
O. obsequies
R. breviary
1. _____ lacking energy or vitality; weak
2. _____ marked by or exhibiting sorrow, grief, or pain
3. _____ conscious knowledge or recognition
4. _____ act of speaking in a slighting way; act of belittling
5. _____ a wind-driven cloud, mist, or rain
6. _____ an agreement to meet at a certain time and place
7. _____ usually in plural form, a funeral rite or ceremony
8. _____ a slave or serf; servitude; bondage
9. _____ thin and bony; emaciated and haggard
10. ____ Christmas, or the season or feast celebrating Christmas
11. _____ having the ability to move with ease; limber
12. _____ the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper
13. _____ constituting a very large, indefinite number
14. _____ a rolling plain lacking trees; a moor
15. _____ a book containing hymns, offices, and prayers
16. _____ inordinately interested in matters of sex; lascivious
17. _____ a small lake, pond, or marsh
18. _____ with disapproval, suspicion, or distrust; with a sideways glance
19. _____ to stop or check the flow of a liquid like blood or tears\
20. _____ a follower or an attendant
Idylls of the King (Lessons 11–14)
Vocabulary Quiz #3
Instructions: Match the word with its definition.
A. fain
D. fulsome
G. plaintive
J. unguent
M. rapine
P. brandish
S. wistful
B. abash
E. quail
H. languorous
K. shrift
N. voluptuous
Q. samite
T. swarthy
C. askew
F. carcanet
I. paramount
L. garrulous
O. retinue
R. margin
1. _____ expressing sorrow; mournful or melancholy
2. _____ given to excessive and often trivial or rambling talk
3. _____ having a dark complexion or color
4. _____to make ashamed or uneasy; disconcert; embarrass
5. _____ an archaic term meaning the confession to a priest
6. _____ devoted to or indulging in sensual pleasures
7. _____ to shrink back in fear
8. _____ full of wishful yearning; pensively sad; melancholy
9. _____ of chief concern or importance; supreme in rank, power, or authority
10. ____ retainers or attendants accompanying a high-ranking person
11. _____ to one side; awry
12. _____ a heavy silk fabric, often interwoven with gold or silver
13. _____ lack of physical or mental energy; a dreamy, lazy mood
14. _____ forcible seizure of another’s property; plunder
15. _____ an archaic term for a jeweled necklace, collar, or headband
16. _____ an edge and the area immediately adjacent to it; a border
17. _____ happily; gladly
18. _____ a salve for soothing or healing; an ointment
19. _____ to wave or flourish something menacingly
20. _____ offensively flattering or insincere; offensive to the taste or
sensibilities
Answer Keys to Idylls of the King
Vocabulary Exercise, Lesson 1
1. hoary
2. puissance
3. minster
4. vexed
Lesson 1
1. Tennyson dedicated the Idylls to Prince Albert.
2. There was constant war and the land was desolate with wild animals covering the land.
3. The children became wolf-like men.
4. Arthur wore the arms and equipment as an ordinary knight.
5. Leodogran needed to be convinced that Arthur was the son of a king
6. Merlin gave Arthur to Sir Anton.
7. Modred eavesdrops by placing his ear upon the door.
8. The baby was washed ashore by the sea.
9. The knight was Sir Lancelot.
10. The lords of Roman empire were now the descending power as Arthur becomes great,
ushering in a new order.
11. Arthur fights twelve battles.
Vocabulary Exercise, Lesson 2
1. seneschal
2. vacillated
3. inveterate
4. precipitancy
Lesson 2
1. Gareth is last of her sons, and she fears that she will be very lonely without him at home.
2. For one year, Gareth is to disguise himself and not to reveal who he is and to serve tables
and work in the kitchen.
3. The servants were afraid, fearing that the city was just a place of enchantment and a vision.
4. The Seer reveals that Gareth is lying about who he is.
5. Sir Kay is in charge of the kitchen.
6. Arthur has the gift ripped up and thrown on the fire.
7. Bellicent sends arms to Gareth and releases him from his vow.
8. Lancelot is to remain at a distance and watch over Gareth during the quest.
9. Lynette asks that Sir Lancelot would come to rescue her sister, Lyonors, from four knights.
Vocabulary Exercise, Lesson 3
1. petulant
2. agaric
3. vexillary
4. ruth
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Lesson 3
1. Sir Kay challenges Gareth.
2. Gareth will finish the quest or die trying.
3. Gareth kills three men.
4. Gareth requests a place for Lynette to stay the evening.
5. The knight is called Sir Morning-Star.
6. Lynette’s attitude makes Gareth angry.
7. Sir Morning-Star is to go to King Arthur’s court and ask for forgiveness of the king.
8. The two knights fight in the middle of a ford (stream).
9. Sir Star of Evening jumps off the bridge into the stream.
10. Sir Lancelot helped Sir Kay back to Camelot, and then the knight could not find the couple
because Lynette had taken the incorrect way to Castle Perilous.
11. Gareth states that the only rule he knows is to dash against the enemy and win.
12. Gareth finds a small boy inside the knight’s armor.
Vocabulary Exercise, Lesson 4
1. ousted
2. covert
3. uxoriousness
4. caitiff
Lesson 4
1. A rumor began to circulate that Guinevere and Lancelot were having an affair, a rumor that
Geraint believed.
2. Enid is to wear her “meanest dress.”
3. It is the dress that Enid wore when Geraint first saw her.
4. The dwarf strikes Geraint on the cheek with a whip and cuts him.
5. Guinevere would personally attend to the bride of Geraint, regardless of her rank or status.
6. Geraint found lodging in the castle of Yniol.
7. Geraint heard Enid’s singing and fell in love with her voice.
8. Yniol is the Sparrow Hawk’s uncle, and the cause of the persecution is Enid’s refusal to
marry him.
9. Yniol reminded Geraint of the Sparrow Hawk’s insult to Guinevere.
10. Geraint wanted Enid to be arrayed like the sun by Guinevere, and hoped that the two
women would be bound together in friendship.
Vocabulary Exercise, Lesson 5
1. promontory
2. victuals
3. purblind
4. quitch
Lesson 5
1. We create this trouble by “taking true for false, or false for true.”
2. Enid is not to speak to Geraint at all, regardless of what happens.
3. Geraint strips the bodies of their armor and left the bodies lie unburied.
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4. Geraint gives the boy on of the horse with armor.
5. An old suitor of Enid, Earl Limours, was the lord over the village and realm.
6. Geraint gives to Limours the remaining horses and the armor.
7. Geraint was wounded in the fight and the loss of blood made him unconscious.
8. The lord of the realm, Earl Doorm.
9. Doorm slaps Enid.
10. The couple meets Edyrn, son of Nudd (the Sparrow Hawk).
11. The people called her Enid the Good.
Vocabulary Exercise, Lesson 6
1. thralls
2. pursuivants
3. wold
4. cognizance
Lesson 6
1. King Arthur defeats the two knights himself.
2. Balin nearly killed a servant of Arthur.
3. The treasurer finds the body of one of Arthur’s knights with a spear in his back.
4. Balan volunteers for the quest.
5. Balin thinks that a token from Guinevere will maintain his pledge as a true knight.
6. Balin replaces the beastly emblem with the image of the queen’s crown.
7. Balin overheard Guinevere and Lancelot in the garden and begins to doubt the queen’s
purity.
8. Sir Garlon speaks ill of the queen.
9. Balin finds the spear that was used to pierce the side of Christ.
10. Balin leaves his shield on the branch of a tree.
11. The fire of heaven is the worship of the sun.
12. Balin casts the shield to the ground, stomps on it, and flings it into the woods.
13. Balin kills his brother Balan.
14. Balin dies when his horse threw him and fell on him.
Vocabulary Exercise, Lesson 7
1. tryst
2. lissome
3. askance
4. prurient
Lesson 7
1. The young knights have pride in the example of Lancelot’s faithfulness to Guinevere.
2. Vivien was delivered on the battlefield on which her father was killed, fighting against King
Arthur.
3. Vivien stated that King Mark was persecuting her.
4. Vivien had tried to tempt King Arthur, but had failed.
5. Vivien enters the boat with Merlin.
6. The allusion is when the Lord Jesus Christ asks Peter three times whether he loved him.
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7. The charm will enclose a person in four invisible walls, yet no one can see the prisoner.
8. Merlin trusts Vivien too much.
9. “Man dreams of fame while woman wakes to love.”
10. Merlin found the charm in a book that used to belong to a wizard in the East.
11. Vivien repeats the rumors about Sir Valence, Sir Sagramore, Sir Percivale, and Sir Lancelot.
12. Vivien reaches for her belt for a dagger.
13. A bolt of lightening strikes a nearby tree.
14. The woods echoed “fool.”
Vocabulary Exercise, Lesson 8
1. languid
2. stanch
3. myriad
4. disparagement
Lesson 8
1. Elaine guards the shield of Lancelot.
2. Arthur found the jewels by chance when he was exploring in a land where two brothers had
killed each other.
3. Lancelot wanted to present the gems to Guinevere.
4. Lancelot thought that Guinevere wanted him to stay with her since she was sick, but he was
mistaken.
5. Lancelot wanted to participate in the joist as an unknown knight.
6. Elaine dreamed that someone put the diamond in her hand, but she is unable to keep it.
7. The favor was a red sleeve embroidered with pearls.
8. Several of Lancelot’s kinsmen attacked Lancelot.
9. A religious hermit stopped Lancelot’s loss of blood.
10. Sir Gawain is to find the unknown knight (Lancelot).
Vocabulary Exercise, Lesson 9
1. gaunt
2. mere
3. obsequies
4. dolorous
Lesson 9
1. Since he was tired of the quest, Gawain gives the diamond to Elaine so that he could return
to Camelot immediately.
2. Guinevere lost her appetite and hated the knights.
3. The hermit claims that it was Elaine’s “fine care” that saved the live of Lancelot.
4. Elaine asks Lancelot to marry her.
5. Elaine’s father suggested that Lancelot be discourteous to Elaine in order to break her
passion for him.
6. The sleeve that Elaine gave Lancelot was no longer tried to his helmet.
7. After her death, Elaine wishes to be placed in a boat that will travel towards Camelot.
8. Guinevere cast the gems out of a window and into a stream.
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9. Elaine’s true love was her death.
10. Lancelot knew that he was not a man after Arthur’s heart.
Vocabulary Exercise, Lesson 10
1. Yule
2. Grail
3. breviary
4. scuds
Lesson 10
1. Percivale retired from the knighthood and became a monk in a monastery.
2. Percivale had a vision of the Holy Grail.
3. The city was Glastonbury.
4. Percivale states that his sister prayed and fasted before she saw the grail.
5. Percivale’s sister made a sword-belt from her hair and gave it to Sir Galahad.
6. The knights believed that Merlin had died.
7. Sir Galahad claimed to have seen the grail.
8. Many of the knights would not return.
9. Everything and everyone changes to dust.
10. Humility is the mother of all virtues.
11. Galahad gets into a boat with the Holy Grail (Vessel) above him.
12. Percivale thought he found his childhood sweetheart to wed, riches, lands, and loyal
subjects.
13. Sir Bors met Lancelot, who was suffering from a former madness.
14. Sir Bors saw the Holy Grail.
15. Lancelot was to enter without doubting; otherwise, the lions would kill him.
16. Only ten percent (a tithe) of the knights returned.
Vocabulary Exercise, Lesson 11
1. abashed
2. quail
3. askew
4. fain
5. fulsome
Lesson 11
1. Pelleas wanted a chance to win the golden crown for his lady and the sword for himself.
2. The laughter and talking of several women awakens Pelleas.
3. Ettarre wanted a knight to fight for her and win for her the title of “Queen of Beauty.”
4. Arthur allowed only the youngest and the most inexperienced of knights to participate in the
joist.
5. Ettarre calls him “Sir Baby.”
6. Pelleas allows himself to be bound by the knights.
7. Ettarre believes that if Pelleas really know who she was, he would not want to love her.
8. The knight is Sir Gawaine.
9. Pelleas left his sword across the throats of Ettarre and Gawaine.
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10. Pelleas realizes that he did not love Ettarre, but lusted after her.
11. Sir Percivale shatters Pelleas’s confidence in Gunivere.
12. Modred thinks that the time for his rebellion is at hand.
Vocabulary Exercise, Lesson 12
1. unguent
2. plaintive
3. paramount
4. languorous
5. carcanet
Lesson 12
1. His name is Dagonet.
2. Lancelot found a baby girl with a ruby carcanet.
3. Nestling dies in childhood, and the carcanet is used as a prize in a tournament.
4. The knights do not claim to be pure like the knights of the Round Table who are not pure.
5. Sir Tristram enters the tournament.
6. Sir Tristram announces that his Queen of Beauty is not present at the tournament.
7. The dirty nurse is Experience.
8. Tristram loved the wife of Mark, Isolt, and he marries Isolt of the White Hands.
9. The woman did not know whether her mate had left her or was dead.
10. Tristram states that he will no longer offer a vow.
11. Arthur finds the fool crying.
Vocabulary Exercise, Lesson 13
1. garrulous
2. shrift
3. rapine
4. retinue
5. voluptuous
Lesson 13
1. Sir Modred caused Guinevere to flee.
2. Lancelot catches Modred spying on the Queen.
3. Vivien overhears the plan.
4. Only one little maid was an attendant.
5. Arthur was deceived into thinking that Guinevere had gone to France with Lancelot.
6. Guinevere suspects that the nuns were purposely playing with her emotions with the young
girl.
7. Arthur states that Guinevere had spoiled his purpose for living.
8. The penalty for treason is death by burning at the stake.
9. Sin affects the soul, and she cannot kill the soul.
10. Guinevere’s duty was to have loved the highest, that is, Arthur.
11. Guinevere became the abbess of the order.
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Vocabulary Exercise, Lesson 14
1. samite
2. swarthy
3. margin
4. wistful
5. brandished
Lesson 14
1. Sir Bedivere was the last of the knights.
2. The ghost of Sir Gawaine tells Arthur that he will die.
3. Those who will swear to Arthur’s vows belong to his house.
4. Sir Modred gives Arthur his fatal wound.
5. Bedivere said that he only heard the normal sounds of the water upon the banks of the lake.
6. There would be nothing to prove the existence of King Arthur, and his sword would offer
tangible evidence that he did live at one time.
7. Arthur states that he will kill Bedivere himself.
8. An arm reached out of the lake, grabbed the sword, brandished it three time, and
disappeared under the waters.
9. There were three queens in the barge.
10. Men who do not pray are no better than animals.
11. The barge is going to the island-valley of Avilion.
Quiz #1
Quiz #2
Quiz #3
1. J
2. D
3. P
4. F
5. R
6. L
7. A
8. T
9. Q
10. G
11. I
12. S
13. C
14. N
15. M
16. E
17. O
18. K
19. B
20. H
1. I
2. N
3. C
4. K
5. T
6. G
7. O
8. B
9. M
10. S
11. F
12. Q
13. J
14. D
15. R
16. H
17. P
18. E
19. L
20. A
1. G
2. L
3. T
4. B
5. K
6. N
7. E
8. S
9. I
10. O
11. C
12. Q
13. H
14. M
15. F
16. R
17. A
18. J
19. P
20. D
7
8