The Fall of Arthur by J.R.R. Tolkien
Christopher A. Snyder
Reviewed by: The Fall of Arthur by J.R.R. Tolkien Christopher A. Snyder Tolkien, Arthur. Edited Tolkien. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. ISBN: 978–0–544–11589–7. 233pp. $25.00. Around 1930, then Professor Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University, began composing a long alliterative poem in modern English that bears the title showed unfinished work early on to his friend R.W. Chambers, University College, London, who praised (‘very great indeed…really heroic’) and urged finish it. Not surprisingly, did not, seems have shown few people after that. A years ago, several requests, I was granted glimpse one handwritten manuscript pages Bodleian Library. Beginning as precise most careful Carolingian scribe, Tolkien’s handwriting deteriorated near illegibility bottom page. And yet, there promise this bit narrative verse, conversation between King Gawain over whether recall Lancelot from exile face army usurper Mordred. Grim voices emerged Beowulfian half-lines; never before had Camelot sounded so like Heorot. [End Page 135] There much excitement anticipation among both Arthurians Tolkienophiles when announced last year entire extant (five cantos, forty printed pages) would be published with annotations commentary May So, eighty waiting, do we major contribution either Arthurian or Tolkienian corpus? argue that, unfortunately, falls just short regards. are glimpses power beauty, but they not sustained. focuses moment first appearing Geoffrey Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae: Mordred’s seizure queen crown during Arthur’s continental wars. attracted particularly version story found fourteenth century Alliterative Morte Arthure, follows sequence events some exceptions. begins description waging wars east, Geoffrey’s account, against Roman emperor, rather Rome’s barbarian enemies, particular Saxons. Halls temples heathen kings might assailed marching conquest’ (18). In midst success hears about betrayal, wishes he company returns Britain army: ‘Now for sorely, miss now mighty swords Ban’s kindred. Best me seemeth swift word send, service craving their lord old. To leagued treason must oppose, proud returning matchless Mordred humble’ (24). reminds reason Lancelot’s absence— ‘If hath loyal purpose let him prove repentance’ (25)— convinces has sufficient defeat recover crown: ‘Arthur Gawain! Evil greater fled aforetime faced together’ (25). Mordred, meanwhile, is tormented lust …Guinever golden gleaming limbs. fair fell fay-woman world walking woe men no tear shedding… (27). Waked ‘desire unsated savage fury’ (28), learns Frisian sea captain return Britain. Gathering massive 136] foes Arthur… freebooters Erin Alban East-Sassoin, Almain Angel isles mist; crows coast cold marshes’ (30), turned Guenevere oppose landing Romeril, watching fear blazon appear sails fleet. Instead it fiery griffon swept down upon usurper’s navy, cutting supporters sword vengeance...
Arthuriana