“The Lady of Shalott”
by Alfred Lord Tennyson
“The Lady of Shalott”
• This poem focuses on the life of an artist who
is represented by the Lady of Shalott. To attain
perfection in her art, she sacrifices a great
deal. When the world presents a temptation
for her to leave her artistic seclusion and
experience real life, she is lost. Tennyson
realizes the price of this devotion to the ideal
and the results of forsaking experiences that
are part of our world.
Meaning
• She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot.
• What is the significance of these lines?
Meaning
• And moving thro’ a mirror clear
That hangs before her all the year,
Shadows of the world appear.
• What is the significance of these lines?
Meaning
• “I am half sick of shadows,” said
The Lady of Shalott.
• What is the significance of these lines?
Theme
• What is theme of this poem?
Form and Style
• This poem is an allegory, a narrative with a second
distinct meaning partially hidden behind its literal or
visible meaning. There is a continuous parallel
between two or more levels of meaning in the story. If
the lady of Shalott is the artist, and Shalott is the
artist’s shadow world, decide what the following could
represent:
• A) Camelot
• B) Lancelot
• C) the web (the tapestry on whcih the Lady works)
• D) the mirror
• E) the Lady’s death
Form and Style
• In Part III of the poem, the mood and tone change
dramatically.
• Identify specific lines, rhythms, and images that
illustrate the shift.
• In this section, how effective are
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word choice
subject focus
colour references
changes in lyrical rhythm
Connecting
• Of the four visuals on page 90, which has the
most energy? How is this energy projected?
Consider the perspective, use of colour, body
language, facial expressions, etc.
• Which of the four visuals best suits the mood of
the entire poem?
• Which of the four visuals best reflects the main
theme of the poem?