(1822), like the work that followed it,

(1829), represents a new emphasis, if not a new direction for Peacock. Published in the decade following Peacock’s first three novels, they differ from the latter in their historical settings, twelfth-century England in the case of

and eighth-century Wales in the case of

. If they are set in the past, however, and dispense with the dialogic format of the novels of talk in favor of narrative, these works retain Peacock’s satiric focus—hence their designation as “satiric romances.” Their historical settings notwithstanding, however, they are as topical as Peacock’s other satires.

Appearing the same decade as Sir Walter Scott’s medieval novels, Maid Marian exploits the popular

1191 words

Citation: Mulvihill, James. "Maid Marian". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 24 January 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=9868, accessed 25 November 2024.]