In this extraordinary epic poem, Tennyson has infused the legend of King Arthur with passionate intensity that has up until now been absent. In addition to this, for the first time King Arthur's story becomes something more than a dry retelling of stories and events. Underlying "Idylls of the King" is a vision of tragedy. Tennyson uses various language techniques to portray this vision and to shape an image of Arthur.
             Tennyson presents Arthur as an admirable, dignified and heroic figure. Tennyson employs the use of iambic pentameter, which achieves a solemn utterance and dignified statements. Descriptive passages of the war, and Arthur's love for his knights and men makes him an admirable and dignified character, "... the stroke that strikes them dead is as my death to me." Descriptive passages and onomatopoeia, "clash...crash..." are used to portray the harshness of Arthur's war, and how this affects him. Arthur's traits and characteristics are revealed during the confusion of war, he is grieved yet measured and in control whilst his "Table, man by man" falls and Camelot collapses.
             Tennyson makes use of pathetic fallacy, "A bitter wind, clear from the North, and blew the mist aside..." to mirror Arthur's emotions, and the melancholy that shrouds Arthur's last and tragic hours. Enjambment and Sibilance is utilised, as to reflect Arthur's flowing, soft and gentle deposition, '...the seething seas.' Dialogue is used to reveal Arthur's traits. 'Take Excalibur, and fling him far into the middle mere,' portrays Arthur's benevolent nature, and his determination to prevent its power from being misused. In doing so, Tennyson attributes to Arthur's admirable and heroic figure.
             "Delight our souls with talk of knightly deeds, walking about the gardens and the halls of Camelot, as in the days that were," is an anecdotal com
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