56 pages 1 hour read

Geoffrey of Monmouth

The History of the Kings of Britain

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1136

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Essay Topics

1.

In what ways does The History of the Kings of Britain both resemble and differ from ancient epics?

2.

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? 

3.

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.