Great guide, thanks for doing this. Do you have any recommendations for where to start with the Arthurian legends themselves? I've been reading Tennyson's Idylls of the King, and these are great, but obviously they are much later Interpretations of the stories. Where would you recommend someone start getting into Arthur?
Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur is a good place to start to introduce you into what would eventually become Tennyson's Idylls. This will give you an idea of where Arthur sits in the later medieval consciousness. Then the Welsh tales are probably good. From the Mabinbogi, The 'Dream of Rhonabwy', and 'Culhwch and Olwen'. Then the romances Three Welsh Romances, 'Owain, or the Lady of the Fountain', 'Geraint and Enid', and "Peredur, Son of Efrawg"
Though at a bit more remove from early and historical Arthur and very much in the Grail part of the tradition, I really enjoyed Wolfram von Eschenbach's early 1200s Parzival. I read the 1961 translation. Great description, re-telling, exegesis in Joseph Campbell's Creative Mythology - if you're into that kind of thing. Probs best to start with Malory, as our magnanimous and princely host suggests, for that strong foundation in what coalesced as the legend of Arthur.
Great guide, thanks for doing this. Do you have any recommendations for where to start with the Arthurian legends themselves? I've been reading Tennyson's Idylls of the King, and these are great, but obviously they are much later Interpretations of the stories. Where would you recommend someone start getting into Arthur?
Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur is a good place to start to introduce you into what would eventually become Tennyson's Idylls. This will give you an idea of where Arthur sits in the later medieval consciousness. Then the Welsh tales are probably good. From the Mabinbogi, The 'Dream of Rhonabwy', and 'Culhwch and Olwen'. Then the romances Three Welsh Romances, 'Owain, or the Lady of the Fountain', 'Geraint and Enid', and "Peredur, Son of Efrawg"
The telling of Culhwch and Olwen by Robin Williamson on Kris Hughes' youtube channel is a lot of fun.
Thanks, I'll check it out
Good to know, thank you!
Though at a bit more remove from early and historical Arthur and very much in the Grail part of the tradition, I really enjoyed Wolfram von Eschenbach's early 1200s Parzival. I read the 1961 translation. Great description, re-telling, exegesis in Joseph Campbell's Creative Mythology - if you're into that kind of thing. Probs best to start with Malory, as our magnanimous and princely host suggests, for that strong foundation in what coalesced as the legend of Arthur.
Thanks, I'll check this out. I do like Campbell, but haven't read as much as I'd like yet
Good, this 👍👍