Tennyson Flashcards
Form in Tithonus
Dramatic monologue
First person
Blank verse
Iambic pentameter
Form in Godiva
Fable - moral
Re-telling of a legend
Like a ballad bc it tells a story
First person prologue frames narrative.
First part in Tennyson’s point of view, self conscious writer. Strong personal view on matter. Links past and present together
Form in Lady of Shallot
A ballad
Same length lines most of the time
Repetition
Story
Rhyme
Form in Mariana
Lyrical narrative
Dramatic monologue
But there is no development
Repetition, hopelessness
Subversion of dramatic monologue
Form in Lotus Eaters and Choric Song
2 narratives
First part is an omniscient narrator, third person
Sailors narrate choric song
Form in Ulysesses
Dramatic monologue
First person
Structure in Lotus Eater
2 parts
Structure is more set in first part, more organised. First word is “courage” which shows purpose
Then choric song stanzas get longer, unstructured. Break down of structure relates to the lives of the Mariners. Losing purpose. Loosening of structure.
Structure in Ulysses
No stanzas - shows his life in continuous and the same, going on forever.
Stream of consciousness, ongoing.
Three parts.
First dissatisfaction with his life. “Savage race” dreary, “idle king”
Second leaving the land to his son. “He works his work, I mine” tone is practical and business like, giving over the land to Tellamachus
The third is about the future, is it his imagination? The excitement of his new journey. Could be a metaphor for death. Dream like, for his ideals and thoughts of the future. “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” regaining lost youth
Structure in Tithonus
He doesn’t get a happy ending it isn’t resolved
First stanza is present
Second is reminiscing of the past and what he used to be like
Third Aurora is the sunrise, bring light. Dark changing to light.
Fourth is the contrast between her beauty and his lack of it
Fifth is the fear of staying immortal and growing old
Sixth is a description of lovers, Tithonus and Aurora
Last is the same as the first, cyclical structure
Structure in Godiva
First is a link to the past and present
Second sets the issue, presents the challenge
Third is her inner turmoil. she takes control on her body and of her people, tells them what to do. “She” sense of action
Fourth, disengaging from control of her husband. Comparison between her and nature, “summer moon”
Fifth, is the ride, outside, contrast from inside. Personification of the objects, staring, gaping at her.
Last, with the peeing Tom who looks at her, over come with lust. But is shot down.
Then last sentence, back to Tennyson, links back to present, how she has become a legend. Applying it to he people of Victorian times
Structure in Lady of Shallot
1 - establishes setting, contrast inside and outside
2 - develop restricted life of lady, and vibrancy of life. Vivid imagery
3 - builds up her dissatisfaction. Lancelot and her impulsive decision to leave. Defy curse
4 - presents outcome and reflection. Claims her identity, fate, enters Camelot, doesn’t live to see it. Which is her punishment
Structure of Mariana
No development, seen in the dialogue at end of each stanza. No change, helplessness.
Slow pace, not going anywhere like Mariana who can’t move forward
