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?