Alfred, Lord TennysonAlfred, Lord Tennyson

1909-18921909-1892

Tennyson Tennyson Tennyson was a massive and versatile Tennyson was a massive and versatile

poet, “the voice and sometimes . . . the poet, “the voice and sometimes . . . the conscience” of his age. conscience” of his age.

Today, many critics consider Tennyson Today, many critics consider Tennyson to be the greatest poet of the Victorian to be the greatest poet of the Victorian Age, admired for both his control of Age, admired for both his control of language and his ability to evoke a language and his ability to evoke a sense of longing and loss.sense of longing and loss.

BackgroundBackground Born on August 6, 1809. at Somersby, Born on August 6, 1809. at Somersby,

U.K.U.K. 3rd son of a rector who prepared his sons 3rd son of a rector who prepared his sons

for Cambridge. All made ventures in for Cambridge. All made ventures in poetry, and even published.poetry, and even published.

CambridgeCambridge Tennyson attended Trinity College, CambridgeTennyson attended Trinity College, Cambridge

Invited to join The Apostles, an undergraduate club.Invited to join The Apostles, an undergraduate club.

This group included his lifelong friends.This group included his lifelong friends.

Most important friendship was with Arthur Hallam. He and Most important friendship was with Arthur Hallam. He and Tennyson knew each other for only four years, but their Tennyson knew each other for only four years, but their intense friendship had a major influence on the poet. intense friendship had a major influence on the poet.

Tennyson was devastated by Hallam’s death in 1833 when Tennyson was devastated by Hallam’s death in 1833 when he was only 22 and refused to publish for the next 9 years. he was only 22 and refused to publish for the next 9 years. He did, however, continue to write and poured his grief He did, however, continue to write and poured his grief into his best poetry, including into his best poetry, including In MemoriamIn Memoriam..

Published in 1850Published in 1850 Tennyson’s greatest poemTennyson’s greatest poem a collection of a collection of elegies for Hallamelegies for Hallam; it presents ; it presents

his struggle with Hallam’s death and with the his struggle with Hallam’s death and with the new developments in astronomy, biology, new developments in astronomy, biology, and geology that were diminishing man’s and geology that were diminishing man’s stature in the universe.stature in the universe.

After publication of this poem, Tennyson was After publication of this poem, Tennyson was named the nation’s named the nation’s Poet Laureate Poet Laureate by Queen by Queen Victoria as, replacing Wordsworth who had Victoria as, replacing Wordsworth who had just passed away. just passed away.

In MemoriamIn Memoriam

His Major 1842 PoemsHis Major 1842 Poems Established Tennyson’s career Established Tennyson’s career

as a writeras a writer This volume includes:This volume includes: “ “The Lady of Shalott,”The Lady of Shalott,” “ “The Lotus Eaters,” andThe Lotus Eaters,” and “ “Ulysses.”Ulysses.”

TennysonTennyson In 1883, Tennyson was made baron and In 1883, Tennyson was made baron and

thus added the title thus added the title LordLord to his name. to his name. He was the first poet ever to be made a He was the first poet ever to be made a

noblenoble.. Tennyson was established as the most Tennyson was established as the most

popular poet of the Victorian period. popular poet of the Victorian period.

Alfred, Lord TennysonAlfred, Lord Tennyson He seems not one sort of poet, but two or He seems not one sort of poet, but two or

three:three:

PictorialPictorial

LyricLyric

Humorous, orHumorous, or

Speculative.Speculative.

Alfred, Lord TennysonAlfred, Lord Tennyson

Tennyson gives us perfections in single Tennyson gives us perfections in single poems, single stanzas, often in single lines poems, single stanzas, often in single lines or even in evocative phrases.or even in evocative phrases.

His narrative skill makes His narrative skill makes

many of his poems many of his poems

interesting just as stories.interesting just as stories.

Themes in Tennyson’s PoetryThemes in Tennyson’s Poetry

The divided selfThe divided self Links external scenery to interior states of Links external scenery to interior states of

mind. mind. The historical pastThe historical past The mythological pastThe mythological past Tennyson’s personal pastTennyson’s personal past Geological time and evolutionary historyGeological time and evolutionary history Social and political concernsSocial and political concerns

(Psychological Realism)

Images of TennysonImages of Tennyson