Themes: Deprivation
In this poem, the main character exists under a spell, unaware of its origins or purpose, and without considering how to escape it. She seems to accept her circumstances as unavoidable: "And so she weaveth steadily, / And little other care has she" (lines 43-44), the poem observes. The only stipulation of this mysterious curse is that she must not gaze out her window at the lively scenes of nature and humanity described in the poem's beginning. She appears unconcerned about being separated from direct contact with the outside world and does not question the reason for her curse. Tennyson provides no rationale for the curse, leaving the cause of her exclusion from life's tangible joys and struggles unexplained. Perhaps the poet intended the psychological facets of her confinement to remain unclear, encouraging readers to interpret her situation and behavior in different ways. The crucial point is that she is isolated, compelled to see the world indirectly through a mirror, and remains undisturbed by this deprivation until her fascination with the captivating Lancelot disrupts her initial detachment.
Expert Q&A
The portrayal of isolation and loneliness in "The Lady of Shalott."
"The Lady of Shalott" portrays isolation and loneliness through the character of the Lady, who is confined to a tower and cursed to only view the world through a mirror. Her physical and emotional isolation is emphasized by her longing for human connection and the outside world, which ultimately leads to her tragic demise when she leaves the tower.
What is the significance of these lines in "The Lady of Shalott"?
There she weaves by night and day
A magic web with colours gay.
She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot.
She knows not what the curse may be,
And so she weaveth steadily,
And little other care hath she,
The Lady of Shalott.
The quoted lines from "The Lady of Shalott" highlight the protagonist's isolated life and the curse preventing her from looking directly at Camelot. She spends her time weaving a "magic web with colours gay," symbolizing her attempt to capture life through art. This stanza underscores the poem's central conflict between art and life, illustrating her yearning to engage with the reality she can only observe indirectly.
Is the Lady of Shalott's death considered an escape?
The Lady of Shalott's death is considered an escape in Tennyson's poem. Trapped in a tower, she is cursed to only see the world through a mirror, reflecting shadows of reality. When she looks directly at Sir Lancelot, she breaks the curse, leading to her death. This death frees her from solitude, the curse, and the shadows, suggesting a release to a better place, as implied by Sir Lancelot's prayer for her soul.
In "The Lady of Shalott," why does the lady risk her life to look outside her tower?
The lady in "The Lady of Shalott" risks her life to look outside her tower because she becomes "half sick of shadows" and desires real experiences, especially romantic love. The sight of newlyweds and Sir Lancelot in her mirror stirs a deep longing within her, prompting her to abandon her loom and risk the curse for a chance at true love.
What is Tennyson conveying in this excerpt from "The Lady of Shalott"?
By the margin, willow veil'd,
Slide the heavy barges trail'd
By slow horses; and unhail'd
The shallop flitteth silken-sail'd
Skimming down to Camelot:
But who hath seen her wave her hand?
Or at the casement seen her stand?
Or is she known in all the land,
The Lady of Shalott?
Tennyson's excerpt conveys the Lady of Shalott's isolation and anonymity. Despite heavy barge traffic passing by on the way to Camelot, no one notices or acknowledges her presence. The rhetorical questions emphasize her seclusion and the public's negligence in recognizing her existence. The Lady is cursed and cannot interact with the outside world, highlighting her isolation as an artist detached from reality. This establishes the theme of isolation and evokes sympathy for her plight.
Explain the following lines from "The Lady of Shalott": "And sometimes thro' the mirror blue / The knights come riding two and two: / She hath no loyal knight and true, / The Lady of Shalott. / But in her web she still delights..."
The Lady of Shalott can only see the world through a mirror due to a curse, preventing direct views. She observes knights riding in pairs toward Camelot, symbolizing romantic ideals of knights defending and loving a lady. Despite lacking a personal knight, she delights in weaving these scenes into her tapestry, using imagination to engage with the world and its romantic notions.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
