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“The Lady of Shalott” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson Poem Summary

“The Lady of Shalott” is a narrative poem written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The poem tells the story of a young woman who lives in a tower on the island of Shalott, which is located near the legendary city of Camelot.

The Lady of Shalott Lord Tennyson Poem Summary-The Lady of Shalott is cursed and is not allowed to look directly at the outside world. Instead, she weaves what she sees reflected in a mirror.

The Lady of Shalott Lord Tennyson Poem Summary-The poem begins by describing the serene and isolated life of the Lady of Shalott. She spends her days weaving a magical web of vibrant colors, depicting the scenes she observes through the mirror. However, she is haunted by a sense of isolation and yearns for a more fulfilling existence.

The Lady of Shalott Lord Tennyson Poem Summary-One day, the Lady of Shalott sees the reflection of Sir Lancelot, a knight of the Round Table, in the mirror. Unable to resist her curiosity, she turns away from her loom and looks out of her window towards Camelot, thereby breaking the curse that had bound her.

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The Lady of Shalott Lord Tennyson Poem Summary-The consequences of her action are immediate and dire. The mirror cracks, symbolizing the shattering of her sheltered existence.

The Lady of Shalott Lord Tennyson Poem Summary-She knows that her life is now doomed, and she leaves her tower and takes a boat downstream towards Camelot. As she sails towards her inevitable fate, she sings a melancholic song.

The Lady of Shalott Lord Tennyson Poem Summary-The people of Camelot find the Lady of Shalott’s lifeless body in the boat and marvel at her beauty. Lancelot, who is known for his chivalry, is deeply saddened by her tragic end and utters a prayer for her soul.

The Lady of Shalott Lord Tennyson Poem Summary-The poem concludes with a solemn reminder that the Lady of Shalott’s story will be told for generations to come.

The Lady of Shalott Lord Tennyson Poem Summary-“The Lady of Shalott” explores themes of isolation, longing for connection, and the consequences of breaking free from societal restrictions. It is a poignant tale that captures the allure of the outside world and the tragic consequences of defying the boundaries imposed upon oneself.

The Lady of Shalott Poem

Part I

On either side the river lie

Long fields of barley and of rye,

That clothe the wold and meet the sky;

And thro’ the field the road runs by

To many-tower’d Camelot;

And up and down the people go,

Gazing where the lilies blow

Round an island there below,

The island of Shalott.

Willows whiten, aspens quiver,

Little breezes dusk and shiver

Thro’ the wave that runs for ever

By the island in the river

Flowing down to Camelot.

Four gray walls, and four gray towers,

Overlook a space of flowers,

And the silent isle imbowers

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?

Only reapers, reaping early

In among the bearded barley,

Hear a song that echoes cheerly

From the river winding clearly,

Down to tower’d Camelot:

And by the moon the reaper weary,

Piling sheaves in uplands airy,

Listening, whispers ” ‘Tis the fairy

Lady of Shalott.”

Part II

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.

And moving thro’ a mirror clear

That hangs before her all the year,

Shadows of the world appear.

There she sees the highway near

Winding down to Camelot:

There the river eddy whirls,

And there the surly village-churls,

And the red cloaks of market girls,

Pass onward from Shalott.

Sometimes a troop of damsels glad,

An abbot on an ambling pad,

Sometimes a curly shepherd-lad,

Or long-hair’d page in crimson clad,

Goes by to tower’d Camelot;

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

To weave the mirror’s magic sights,

For often thro’ the silent nights

A funeral, with plumes and lights

And music, went to Camelot:

Or when the moon was overhead,

Came two young lovers lately wed:

“I am half sick of shadows,” said

The Lady of Shalott.

Part III

A bow-shot from her bower-eaves,

He rode between the barley-sheaves,

The sun came dazzling thro’ the leaves,

And flamed upon the brazen greaves

Of bold Sir Lancelot.

A red-cross knight for ever kneel’d

To a lady in his shield,

That sparkled on the yellow field,

Beside remote Shalott.

The gemmy bridle glitter’d free,

Like to some branch of stars we see

Hung in the golden Galaxy.

The bridle bells rang merrily

As he rode down to Camelot:

And from his blazon’d baldric slung

A mighty silver bugle hung,

And as he rode his armour rung,

Beside remote Shalott.

All in the blue unclouded weather

Thick-jewell’d shone the saddle-leather,

The helmet and the helmet-feather

Burn’d like one burning flame together,

As he rode down to Camelot.

As often thro’ the purple night,

Below the starry clusters bright,

Some bearded meteor, trailing light,

Moves over still Shalott.

His broad clear brow in sunlight glow’d;

On burnish’d hooves his war-horse trode;

From underneath his helmet flow’d

His coal-black curls as on he rode,

As he rode down to Camelot.

From the bank and from the river

He flash’d into the crystal mirror,

“Tirra lirra,” by the river

Sang Sir Lancelot.

She left the web, she left the loom,

She made three paces thro’ the room,

She saw the water-lily bloom,

She saw the helmet and the plume,

She look’d down to Camelot.

Out flew the web and floated wide;

The mirror crack’d from side to side;

“The curse is come upon me,” cried

The Lady of Shalott.

Part IV

In the stormy east-wind straining,

The pale yellow woods were waning,

The broad stream in his banks complaining,

Heavily the low sky raining

Over tower’d Camelot;

Down she came and found a boat

Beneath a willow left afloat,

And round about the prow she wrote

The Lady of Shalott.

And down the river’s dim expanse

Like some bold seër in a trance,

Seeing all his own mischance—

With a glassy countenance

Did she look to Camelot.

And at the closing of the day

She loosed the chain, and down she lay;

The broad stream bore her far away,

The Lady of Shalott.

Lying, robed in snowy white

That loosely flew to left and right—

The leaves upon her falling light—

Thro’ the noises of the night

She floated down to Camelot:

And as the boat-head wound along

The willowy hills and fields among,

They heard her singing her last song,

The Lady of Shalott.

Heard a carol, mournful, holy,

Chanted loudly, chanted lowly,

Till her blood was frozen slowly,

And her eyes were darken’d wholly,

Turn’d to tower’d Camelot.

For ere she reach’d upon the tide

The first house by the water-side,

Singing in her song she died,

The Lady of Shalott.

Under tower and balcony,

By garden-wall and gallery,

A gleaming shape she floated by,

Dead-pale between the houses high,

Silent into Camelot.

Out upon the wharfs they came,

Knight and burgher, lord and dame,

And round the prow they read her name,

The Lady of Shalott.

Who is this? and what is here?

And in the lighted palace near

Died the sound of royal cheer;

And they cross’d themselves for fear,

All the knights at Camelot:

But Lancelot mused a little space;

He said, “She has a lovely face;

God in his mercy lend her grace,

The Lady of Shalott.”

Conclusion

The Lady of Shalott Lord Tennyson Poem Summary-“The Lady of Shalott” is a beautifully crafted poem that delves into themes of confinement, curiosity, and the inevitable consequences of breaking free. The Lady’s yearning for a more fulfilling existence leads her to defy the curse that binds her, ultimately resulting in her tragic demise.

The Lady of Shalott Lord Tennyson Poem Summary-Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s vivid imagery and evocative language paint a poignant picture of the Lady’s isolated existence and her longing for connection.

The Lady of Shalott Lord Tennyson Poem Summary-The shattered mirror and the Lady’s fateful journey towards Camelot symbolize the irreversible consequences of her actions.

The Lady of Shalott Lord Tennyson Poem Summary-The poem serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the potential costs of pursuing our desires without considering the repercussions.

The Lady of Shalott Lord Tennyson Poem Summary-“The Lady of Shalott” has remained a beloved piece of literature for its lyrical beauty and timeless themes. It explores the human desire for freedom and connection while acknowledging the price one may have to pay for defying societal constraints.

The Lady of Shalott Lord Tennyson Poem Summary-The poem leaves us with a lingering sense of melancholy and a reflection on the choices we make in our own lives.

FAQ.

Q. Who is the author of “The Lady of Shalott”?

Ans. “The Lady of Shalott” was written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. He was a prominent English poet of the 19th century and served as the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom.

Q. What is the main theme of “The Lady of Shalott”?

Ans. The main themes of the poem include isolation, longing for connection, the consequences of breaking free from societal restrictions, and the contrast between the sheltered world and the outside world.

Q. What is the curse on the Lady of Shalott?

Ans. The Lady of Shalott is under a curse that forbids her from directly looking out at the world. Instead, she can only view the outside world through a mirror, which distorts her perception and keeps her isolated from society.

Q. What happens when the Lady of Shalott looks directly at Sir Lancelot?

Ans. When the Lady of Shalott sees the reflection of Sir Lancelot in the mirror, she is unable to resist her curiosity and turns away from her weaving to look out of her window towards Camelot. By doing so, she breaks the curse that had bound her and triggers a series of tragic events.