The Company of Camelot: Arthurian Characters in Romance and Fantasy (Contributions to the Study of Science Fiction and Fantasy) [Hardcover]

Charlotte Spivack (Author), Roberta Lynne Staples (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0313279810 | ISBN-13: 978-0313279812 | Publication Date: December 30, 1994

This book deals with the eight major figures in the Arthurian legends and how they have been individually represented in literature from its beginnings up to the present day. The characters discussed are: Arthur the king, his queen Guenevere, his wizard Merlin, his half-sister Morgan le Fay, his faithful seneschal Sir Kay, his warrior nephew Gawain, his knight and rival Lancelot, and his incestuous son and nemesis Mordred. These characters are first identified in terms of their medieval origins, then explored in their varied depictions in modern fantasy fiction. The pattern that emerges is largely one of polarization of personality. The first study of Arthurian materials to focus specifically on the characterization of individuals, this book also achieves an original perspective on the evolution of individual characters from mythic prototypes.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

CHARLOTTE SPIVACK is Professor of English at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

ROBERTA LYNNE STAPLES is Associate Professor of English at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (December 30, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313279810
• ISBN-13: 978-0313279812
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,009,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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