King Arthur in the Passing of Arthur
Discuss the techniques Tennyson uses to present his particular view of King Arthur in the ‘Passing of Arthur.’ In this extraordinary epic poem, Tennyson has infused the legend of King Arthur with passionate intensity that has up until now been absent. In addition to this, for the first time King Arthurs story becomes something more than a dry retelling of stories and events. Underlying "Idylls of the King" is a vision of tragedy. Tennyson uses various language techniques to portray this vision and to shape an image of Arthur. Tennyson presents Arthur as an admirable, dignified and heroic figure. ... Descriptive passages of the war, and Arthur’s love for his knights and men makes him an admirable and dignified character, “… the stroke that strikes them dead is as my death to me.