Romance of the Grail

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This collection features Joseph Campbell’s writings and lectures on Arthurian romances, a key area of his scholarship, edited by Arthurian scholar Evans Lansing Smith, PhD. Throughout his career, Campbell explored the Grail Quests and legends of the European Middle Ages. This volume includes his never-before-published master’s thesis, “A Study of the Dolorous Stroke,” along with other writings that illuminate the captivating tales of figures like Merlin, Gawain, and Guinevere. Campbell's insights reveal that stories such as Merlin’s death and Arthur receiving Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake are not merely entertaining but also integral to his mythological framework. The Arthurian myths prompted Campbell to delve into comparative mythology, connecting these legends to Near and Far Eastern mythic roots. He regarded these romances as the world’s first “secular mythology,” uncovering metaphors for human growth, development, and psychology. The myths exemplify the concept of amor, where individuals achieve greater self-actualization through connection. Campbell’s enthusiasm for his findings makes this volume a must-read for anyone interested in the narratives we share and the deeper meanings behind them.