A Companion to Arthurian Literature

Fulton, Helen (Editor)

Blackwell Companions to Literature and Culture

1. Edition January 2012
586 Pages, Softcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd

Short Description

This Companion offers a chronological sweep of the canon of Arthurian literature - from its earliest beginnings to the contemporary manifestations of Arthur in film and electronic media. Leading scholars review Arthurian legends and their transformations, language-to-language, text-to-film, and medieval-to-modern adaptations are analyzed, and key concepts such as 'empire', 'romance' and 'chivalry' are explored. Part of Blackwell's popular Companions to Literature and Culture series, this volume enables a fundamental understanding of Arthurian literature and leaves no doubt as to why it is still important today.

ISBN: 978-0-470-67237-2

John Wiley & Sons

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This Companion offers a chronological sweep of the canon of Arthurian literature - from its earliest beginnings to the contemporary manifestations of Arthur found in film and electronic media. Part of the popular series, Blackwell Companions to Literature and Culture, this expansive volume enables a fundamental understanding of Arthurian literature and explores why it is still integral to contemporary culture.
* Offers a comprehensive survey from the earliest to the most recent works
* Features an impressive range of well-known international contributors
* Examines contemporary additions to the Arthurian canon, including film and computer games
* Underscores an understanding of Arthurian literature as fundamental to western literary tradition

List of Illustrations.

Notes on Contributors.

Introduction.

Part I The Arthur of History.

Part II Celtic Origins of the Arthurian Legend.

Part III Continental Arthurian Traditions.

Part IV Arthur in Medieval English Literature.

Part V From Medieval to Medievalism.

Part VI Arthur in the Modern Age.

Part VII Arthur on Film.

Index.

"Even so, A Companion to Arthurian Literature is without a doubt a very useful collection of essays with up-to-date guides for reading and a bibliography that students and non-specialists will find very handy." (Besprechungen, 1 January 2011)

"This is a volume which will be of particular use to students and scholars of English-though it will be equally useful, no doubt, to readers from other traditions who need a quick, but scholarly and exhilarating, introduction largely to the English-language Arthur." (Arthuriana, 21 January 2011)

"A must for anyone interested in the many aspects of the Arthurian legend, the book includes abundant references (including to primary sources) that will serve both those approaching this material for the first time and those pursuing complete knowledge of the subject." (CHOICE, 2009)

"If the coverage is impressive, it is matched by the content.... Any library that covers English literature and popular culture will find this a very worthwhile and popular acquisition for a range of student, academic and other interested readers." (Languages and Literature, Autumn 2009)

Helen Fulton is Professor of Medieval Literature in the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of York. She has published extensively on medieval Welsh and English literatures and has related interests in language and critical theory, particularly narrative and discourse. Other books which she has edited include Medieval Celtic Literature and Society (2005) and Urban Culture in Medieval Wales (2011).

H. Fulton, University of Swansea, UK