# Idylls of the King — Character guide

> Key figures in Idylls of the King by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

- [King Arthur](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/arthur.md): The rightful king of Britain, central to the idylls and the Round Table.
- [Sir Lancelot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/lancelot.md): Arthur's greatest knight, whose love for Guinevere leads to tragedy.
- [Guinevere](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/guinevere.md): Arthur's queen, whose secret love for Lancelot brings ruin.
- [Merlin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/merlin.md): The wise enchanter and advisor to Arthur, ensnared by Vivien.
- [Vivien](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/vivien.md): A cunning seductress who traps Merlin with his own magic.
- [Enid](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/enid.md): The faithful wife of Geraint, tested by his jealousy.
- [Geraint](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/geraint.md): A knight of the Round Table who marries Enid and doubts her loyalty.
- [Gareth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/gareth.md): A young knight who proves himself by overcoming obstacles for Lynette.
- [Lynette](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/lynette.md): A scornful damsel who tests Gareth's worth before accepting him.
- [Balin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/balin.md): A wild knight who struggles with his temper and seeks redemption.
- [Balan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/balan.md): Balin's brother, who tragically fights him unknowingly.
- [Elaine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/elaine.md): The maid of Astolat who dies of unrequited love for Lancelot.
- [Pelleas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/pelleas.md): A naive young knight betrayed by Ettarre and Gawain.
- [Ettarre](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/ettarre.md): A cold-hearted lady who scorns Pelleas's love.
- [Tristram](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/tristram.md): A knight entangled in a love triangle with Isolt of Ireland and Isolt of Brittany.
- [Isolt of Ireland](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/isolt_of_ireland.md): The Irish queen loved by Tristram, causing conflict with Mark.
- [King Mark](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/mark.md): The jealous Cornish king who plots against Tristram.
- [Modred](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/modred.md): Arthur's treacherous nephew who usurps the throne.
- [Sir Bedivere](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/bedivere.md): Arthur's loyal knight who returns Excalibur to the lake.
- [Sir Gawain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/gawain.md): A proud knight of the Round Table, flawed but valiant.
- [Sir Galahad](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/galahad.md): The pure knight who achieves the Holy Grail.
- [Sir Bors](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/bors.md): A knight of the Round Table who witnesses the Grail.
- [Sir Lavaine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/lavaine.md): Elaine's brother and Lancelot's loyal companion.
- [Dagonet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/dagonet.md): Arthur's fool, who speaks truth through jest.
- [King Uther](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/uther.md): Arthur's father, mentioned as past king.
- [Bellicent](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/bellicent.md): Arthur's half-sister and mother of Gawain and Modred.
- [Sir Torre](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/torre.md): A knight of the Round Table, son of Bellicent.
- [Sir Kay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/kay.md): Arthur's foster-brother and seneschal, often mocking.
- [Edyrn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/edyrn.md): Enid's cousin, a former bandit who reforms.
- [Earl Limours](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/limours.md): A deceitful earl who tries to seduce Enid.
- [Isolt of Brittany](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/isolt_of_brittany.md): Tristram's wife, who loves him faithfully.
- [Ambrosius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/ambrosius.md): A monk who hears Percivale's tale of the Grail.
- [King Lot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/lot.md): A rebel king, father of Gawain and Modred.
- [Joseph of Arimathea](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters/joseph_of_arimathea.md): The saint who brought the Grail to Britain.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/idylls_of_the_king_se/characters