ege experiences? his struggles to
get on in the world? his radical opinions? his acquaintance with
Wordsworth? with Southey? his success as a poet? his other literary
work? his domestic life? his decline?

Tell how this poem came to be written. What was Wordsworth's part? In
what volume was it first published? What epoch in the history of poetry
does this volume mark?

What were the strong features in Coleridge's character?

What was lacking? What characteristics of the man may you infer from
this poem?

OUTLINE FOR THE STUDY OF THE IDYLLS OF THE KING

I. Preparation

The following topics are more or less important for the pupil to
understand before he begins his study of the poems: the meaning of
_idyll_ as Tennyson uses it; the facts about King Arthur (what we
actually know and what we have reason to believe); the period of history
in general covered by his reign; condition of Britain at this time; her
enemies within and without; the sources of the large number of legends
about Arthur; beginning of Tennyson's work on this subject; the growth
of his plan.

II. A Rapid Reading

It is desirable that the class be familiar with all of the Idylls. Such
familiarity will give the student not only a greater interest in the
ones especially assigned for study, but also a larger grasp of their
meaning. If the conditions make it impracticable for the teacher to
assign all of the poems to the entire class, the best alternative will
be to assign each of the poems to some members of the class for special
study. Time enough should be taken in the recitation periods for these
students to report somewhat fully on the special Idylls they have been
studying, so that the essential facts of the entire series may be in
possession of the class.

Questions like the following will test a general knowledge of these
facts:

Who was King Arthur?

What struggles did he have to make before he became undisputed king?

What were his ideals? Who were his chief knights? What were their
characters? What were their tasks? (Specify several.) What great danger
to the success of the Round Table soon arose? (See _Marriage of
Geraint_, ll. 24-28.) What second danger arose later? (_The Holy Grail_,
ll. 203-327.)

Trace briefly the effect of each. Did Guinevere truly repent? What were
her feelings toward Arthur at the last?

Who were opponents in the last great battle? What was the result?

III. The Meaning of the Idylls

What expl