Part I |
Introduction
Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s “The Lady of Shalott,” published in 1833 and revised in 1842, is one of his most well-known works, reflecting both the medievalism and the preoccupations with isolation and art that characterize much of Victorian literature. The poem, set in the Arthurian world of Camelot, is influenced by the medieval romances and legends that captivated Tennyson, as well as the work of Romantic poets like Keats and Wordsworth, who explored the tension between the imagination and reality.
The poem is structured in four parts, each composed of nine-line stanzas with a distinct rhyme scheme that reinforces the lyrical quality of the narrative. This structure allows Tennyson to build a rhythm that mirrors the repetitive, confined life of the Lady of Shalott, who is cursed to live isolated in a tower, weaving images of the world that she can only see through a mirror. The Lady’s existence in the tower, “half sick of shadows,” symbolizes the theme of the artist’s isolation and the tension between the inner world of imagination and the outer world of reality.
The central symbol of the mirror in the poem reflects this theme, representing the Lady’s mediated experience of life, one step removed from reality. Her weaving is another key symbol, standing for the creative process itself—an activity that is both fulfilling and confining. The moment she turns to look directly at Sir Lancelot, breaking the mirror and initiating her doom, can be interpreted as the artist’s fatal engagement with the real world, a common theme in Tennyson’s work. The curse that befalls her when she looks directly at the world can be seen as a metaphor for the dangers of stepping outside one’s prescribed role or the conflict between idealism and reality.
Tennyson’s use of language is rich with imagery and allusion, drawing on the medieval setting to create a sense of timelessness and fate. The repetition of certain phrases, such as “the mirror crack’d from side to side,” emphasizes the inevitability of the Lady’s tragic end. The imagery of water, with the river that flows past her tower and eventually carries her to Camelot, serves as a metaphor for the passage of time and the unstoppable flow of life, which the Lady is ultimately powerless to resist.
Tennyson blends narrative and lyrical elements, creating a poem that is as much about the experience of reading and imagining as it is about the story itself. This blending reflects the Victorian fascination with the role of the artist and the boundaries between art and life. Other Victorian literary characteristics include a fascination with medievalism and chivalry, as well as an exploration of the role of women in society. The Lady of Shalott’s passive existence and her tragic end can be read as a commentary on the limited roles available to women in the Victorian era, confined to the domestic sphere and largely excluded from public life.
“The Lady of Shalott” remains relevant for its exploration of the artist’s role in society, the conflict between illusion and reality, and the constraints placed on individuals—especially women—by societal expectations. The poem continues to resonate with modern readers who grapple with questions of identity, creativity, and the cost of pursuing one’s desires in a world that often demands conformity.
Questions for Consideration
- How does Tennyson explore the theme of isolation? What is the significance of the Lady’s isolation, and how does it relate to her final fate?
- What role does the contrast between reality and artifice play in the poem? How does the Lady’s weaving in the tower reflect her perception of the outside world?
- How does “The Lady of Shalott” comment on the roles of women in Victorian society? What might the Lady’s situation symbolize about the limitations placed on women during that period?
- Consider the theme of fate versus free will in the poem. Does the Lady have control over her destiny, or is she a passive victim of her circumstances?
- Discuss the structure of the poem. How does Tennyson use meter, rhyme, and repetition to create a musical or lyrical quality? What effect does this have on the reader’s experience of the poem?
- How does the use of imagery contribute to the overall mood of the poem? Identify specific images and explain their significance.
- What does Lancelot represent in the poem, and how does his character contrast with the Lady of Shalott? How does his presence impact the Lady’s decision to leave the tower?
- Analyze the character of the Lady of Shalott. How does Tennyson portray her inner world, and what does this suggest about her desires and fears?
- Explore the symbolic significance of the mirror in the Lady’s tower. What does it represent in terms of perception, reality, and the Lady’s experience of the world?
- The river in the poem plays a crucial role in the Lady’s journey. What does the river symbolize, and how does it relate to the poem’s themes of life, death, and transition?
- How does Tennyson draw on Arthurian legend? In what ways does the poem both adhere to and diverge from traditional interpretations of these legends?
- Consider “The Lady of Shalott” within the context of Victorian literature. How does the poem reflect Victorian concerns about industrialization, art, and the role of the artist?
- How do you interpret the Lady’s curse? Is it a literal curse, or could it be understood metaphorically? What does it suggest about the relationship between the artist and society?
- What is the significance of the Lady’s death at the end of the poem? How do different interpretations of her death alter the overall meaning of the poem?
Notes & Commentary
- ↑ Camelot is the legendary castle and court associated with King Arthur. In the poem, it symbolizes the center of chivalry, society, and reality, in contrast to the Lady’s isolated existence in Shalott. It represents the world that the Lady longs to see but cannot directly experience due to the curse.
- ↑ The name “Shalott” is a fictional place created by Tennyson. It is often interpreted as a poetic variation on the name “Astolat,” a location from Arthurian legend associated with the Lady of the Lake or Elaine, who dies of unrequited love for Sir Lancelot. The setting of Shalott on an island in a river also adds to the poem’s dreamlike and isolated atmosphere. The title itself is worth noting as it emphasizes the identity of the protagonist. She is defined by her place (Shalott) rather than her name, reflecting her role as an emblematic or symbolic figure rather than a fully individualized character.
- ↑ This phrase emphasizes the Lady’s confinement within the castle. The repetition of “four” and the color “gray” creates a sense of monotony and imprisonment, underscoring the bleakness of her existence.
- ↑ Enclosed or surrounded, typically by trees or greenery.
- ↑ The Lady of Shalott is an unnamed woman who lives under a mysterious curse that confines her to a tower on the island of Shalott. She is often interpreted as a symbol of the artist or poet, isolated from the world, creating art that reflects life but is removed from it.
- ↑ Farmers who harvest crops, typically using a scythe or other tools. The reapers hear the Lady of Shalott singing as they work in the fields. Their presence emphasizes the contrast between the Lady’s isolated life and the active world outside.
- ↑ A marge is an edge or border, especially of a body of water like a river or lake.
- ↑ Not greeted or acknowledged.
- ↑ Shallop: A small, light boat, often used for short journeys or in shallow waters.
- ↑ The Lady spends her days weaving a colorful tapestry that reflects the scenes she observes in her cra. The “magic web” can be seen as a metaphor for artistic creation, where the artist transforms reality into something new and beautiful, yet ultimately illusory.
- ↑ The Lady is aware of the curse but does not know its exact nature. This adds to the tension of the poem, as she follows the rule of not looking directly at the outside world without fully understanding the consequences.
- ↑ The Lady sees the world only through reflections in her mirror, meaning she experiences reality only as “shadows.” This can be interpreted as a comment on the limitations of perception and the distance between art and life.
- ↑ Peasants or rude, low-class people.
- ↑ Ambling pad: A path or road where one walks or rides at a leisurely pace (ambling).
- ↑ This line reflects the Lady’s growing discontent with her passive, shadowy existence. It marks a turning point in the poem, as her dissatisfaction foreshadows her decision to break the curse and look directly at the real world.
- ↑ Made of brass; in this context, it likely refers to something bold or harsh. The phrase “brazen greaves” refers to the brass armor worn by knights to protect their legs. It emphasizes the strength and grandeur of the world outside the Lady’s tower.
- ↑ Sir Lancelot is one of the most famous knights of the Round Table in Arthurian legend. Known for his bravery, gallantry, and tragic love affair with Queen Guinevere, he symbolizes the ideal of chivalric manhood. His appearance in the poem, described in rich detail, becomes the catalyst for the Lady’s fateful decision to look directly at the world outside.
- ↑ A baldric is a belt worn over one shoulder and across the chest, typically used to carry a sword, bugle, or other weapons.
- ↑ The bugle adds to the depiction of Lancelot as the ideal chivalric knight. The image of Lancelot riding with a “baldric slung” and carrying a bugle conjures up the romanticized view of knighthood, where a knight is not just a warrior but also a figure of honor, music, and pageantry.
- ↑ A phrase from an old song or ballad, possibly imitative of the sound of a bird or a trumpet.
- ↑ When the Lady finally looks directly out of her window at Lancelot, the mirror she has been using to view the world shatters, symbolizing the breaking of the barrier between her and reality. The breaking of the mirror is a pivotal moment, signaling the onset of the curse’s punishment.
- ↑ This phrase marks the Lady’s realization that she has triggered the curse by looking out at Lancelot. It conveys the inevitability of her fate and the tragic consequence of her yearning for a life beyond her isolated existence.
- ↑ “Dight” is an archaic term meaning adorned, dressed, or equipped.
- ↑ “Raimented” is an archaic term meaning clothed or dressed in a particular manner.
- ↑ This phrase refers to the architecture of Camelot and adds to the romantic and medieval atmosphere of the poem. The tower and balcony are symbols of both nobility and the inaccessibility of the Lady to the world she desires to join.
- ↑ Burgher: A citizen of a town or city, typically a member of the wealthy bourgeoisie.