Several of you have suggested Shakespeare as the national epic, specifically the Henriad. Clayton makes a strong case that the Henriad is a national story from a crucial period in history and remains popular. No argument that RII, HIV, and HV are among Shakespeare’s best work. But I’m not so sure it has quite that level of national importance — we just aren’t Virgilian enough. The Tudors Shakespeare didn’t write about loom far larger as the founders of England, not least the Queen he lived under. As for popularity, Tolkien will win every time. There might be school children who can tell you about Henry V — but none can talk about Henry IV.
I have an idea about what is our national epic, and that it lives in a way that gives its manifestation a potency that is semi mystical and life.
If Greece has Homer, and India has the Mahabarata, Britain / England has Kingship. The great narratives of Kings and Queens, of the idea of just rule, of nobility and transcendence, of England as a realm of sacredness, with a sacral King / Queen, and this story and narrative contains everything. Fathers and sons, family, the shaping of identity, the desire for a leader. Transcendence, eternity, because a sacral Crown is beyond time.
From King Arthur and Camelot, to the 'Return of the King' narrative of Tolkein, to Shakespeare, to Robin Hood (who serves the absent King and seeks to restore his just rule from corruption), going back to Boudicca, and probably some deep ancestral memory and light as old as the stones, from pre-history, when feudal lords and warriors became kings of tribes.
Well the potency is that the narrative is embodied in our living royal family. Our national narrative exists. It is by our side, it lives and breathes it. They are connected with this mystical story, both by bloodline, but by holding the Crown. That is why they are so magical to us. Its why we felt profound kinship and love for Elizabeth. That is where our primal story lies, a grand narrative that goes beyond our understanding of history, through the ages, taking in all that risen and fallen, our continuity, our sense of something transcendent above and beyond our time.
I have an idea about what is our national epic, and that it lives in a way that gives its manifestation a potency that is semi mystical and life.
If Greece has Homer, and India has the Mahabarata, Britain / England has Kingship. The great narratives of Kings and Queens, of the idea of just rule, of nobility and transcendence, of England as a realm of sacredness, with a sacral King / Queen, and this story and narrative contains everything. Fathers and sons, family, the shaping of identity, the desire for a leader. Transcendence, eternity, because a sacral Crown is beyond time.
From King Arthur and Camelot, to the 'Return of the King' narrative of Tolkein, to Shakespeare, to Robin Hood (who serves the absent King and seeks to restore his just rule from corruption), going back to Boudicca, and probably some deep ancestral memory and light as old as the stones, from pre-history, when feudal lords and warriors became kings of tribes.
Well the potency is that the narrative is embodied in our living royal family. Our national narrative exists. It is by our side, it lives and breathes it. They are connected with this mystical story, both by bloodline, but by holding the Crown. That is why they are so magical to us. Its why we felt profound kinship and love for Elizabeth. That is where our primal story lies, a grand narrative that goes beyond our understanding of history, through the ages, taking in all that risen and fallen, our continuity, our sense of something transcendent above and beyond our time.
Henry, what a truly provocative conversation! About a national epic.
All of the "candidates" have their benefits and advantages.
Being American, I am drawn to Whitman's "Song of Myself" (1855) and "Leaves of Grass" (1855-92).
Keep up these soul-stirring conversations! They certainly get my ruminative juices flowing!
Daniel