The History of the Kings of Britain

Describing Brutus’ encounter with the Roman goddess Diana, Geoffrey writes, “It seemed to him that the goddess stood before him and spoke these words to him” (52). Why does Geoffrey emphasize Brutus’ uncertainty about whether Diana’s visitation was real or imagined? 

Select a significant battle scene and analyze its narrative structure. Discuss how the narrative serves Geoffrey’s patriotic purpose in The History of the Kings of Britain.

Explore Geoffrey’s use of language. Drawing on at least three specific examples of literary devices used in the text, explain why The History of the Kings of Britain can be described as a “prose epic.”

One of Geoffrey’s rare generalizations follows his discussion of the quarrel between brothers Belinus and Brennius. Geoffrey writes, “The spirit of discord is, however, perpetually on the watch for a chance to put an end to a state of prosperity” (73). Examine why Geoffrey chooses this quarrel in particular from which to draw a generalization.

Discuss why Geoffrey interrupts his narrative to include Merlin’s prophecies.

After one of his significant victories in Part 7, Arthur holds a feast at which the men and women celebrate separately because “the Britons still observed the ancient custom of Troy, the men celebrating festive occasions with their fellow-men and the women eating separately with the other women” (196). Explore Geoffrey’s reasons for continuing to mention Britain’s purported Trojan past late in the book. How do they relate to the central themes of The History of the Kings of Britain?

After briskly marching through more than 1,200 years of British kings, Geoffrey devotes almost half his narrative to Arthur and the generations that directly precede him. Why does Geoffrey devote so much attention to Arthur, and what does Arthur signify within the mythology of Britain?

In Part 8, Geoffrey breaks the narrative to address the Britons about whom he is writing, warning them that their divided kingdom, civil war, jealousy, and pride have allowed their home to be “ravaged by the most impious heathens,” which future generations will lament (226). Consider Geoffrey’s warning in the context of specific instances of civil war he discusses. How have kings’ past mistakes affected future generations within the narrative?