Prologue of The Earthly Paradise - Classic Text | Alexandria
The Prologue of The Earthly Paradise, penned by William Morris in 1868-1870, stands as a masterful introduction to one of the most ambitious narrative poems of the Victorian era, embodying both the medieval revival spirit and the aesthetic movement's artistic ideals. This extensive verse program serves as both a framing device and philosophical foundation for Morris's monumental collection of twenty-four tales that follow.
First published as part of The Earthly Paradise's initial installment in 1868, the Prologue introduces a group of medieval Norse wanderers who, fleeing the Black Death, embark on a westward journey in search of a fabled earthly paradise. The narrative frame draws inspiration from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Boccaccio's Decameron, while reflecting Victorian anxieties about progress, mortality, and the human quest for meaning. Morris's careful construction of the Prologue emerged from his deep engagement with Icelandic sagas and medieval literature, interests he developed during his association with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in the 1850s.
The work's evolution mirrors Morris's own artistic development, combining his love for medieval craftsmanship with his emerging socialist ideals. The Prologue's elaborate verse structure, employing rhyming couplets in iambic pentameter, demonstrates Morris's mastery of traditional forms while introducing themes of temporal displacement and cultural memory that would influence later Victorian poetry. Notable scholars have identified parallels between the wanderers' quest and Morris's own search for artistic and social utopia, suggesting layers of autobiographical significance beneath the medieval facade.
The Prologue's legacy extends beyond its immediate Victorian context, influencing modern fantasy literature and eco-critical perspectives on paradise narratives. Its meditation on the relationship between art, nature, and human aspiration continues to resonate with contemporary readers, while its intricate weaving of classical and Nordic mythology provides a framework for understanding cross-cultural literary adaptation. The work remains a testament to Morris's vision of poetry as a vehicle for both aesthetic pleasure and social commentary, inviting modern readers to consider their own relationship with paradise lost and the eternal human quest for meaning in an imperfect world.