How Tennyson Highlights the Victorian Spirit in His Poems.

Answer

 What picture of Victorian compromise do you find in Tennyson’s poems that you have read? Discuss critically. 

Or, discuss how Tennyson highlights the Victorian spirit in his poems.

Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) is one of the leading poets of the Victorian era (1832-1901). He captures the spirit of his time through his poetry. His works reflect the spirit of the age, marked by industrial progress, social change, and moral dilemmas. Tennyson’s poems are often seen as a balancing act. They embody the Victorian compromise between tradition and innovation, faith and doubt, and individual desires and societal expectations. Here, we will explore key points that illustrate how Tennyson highlights the Victorian spirit and compromise in his poems.

Balancing Tradition and Progress: Tennyson’s poetry often reflects the Victorian struggle to balance the devotion to tradition with the embrace of progress. In “Locksley Hall,” the speaker dreams of a future where, 

The heavens fill with commerce

This vision of technological advancement reveals a longing for a simpler and more pastoral past. It illustrates the Victorian compromise between embracing new technologies and holding on to traditional values.

Faith and Doubt: The Victorian era was a time of religious uncertainty. Tennyson’s works frequently explore this tension between faith and doubt. In “Oenone,” he explores themes of faith and doubt. Oenone laments over Paris’s betrayal. Here, the Gods were indifferent. It reflects the Victorian struggle with religious faith. Her plea, 

Dear mother Ida, harken ere I die, 

It shows her hope for divine intervention and sympathy. This reflects the Victorian compromise between holding on to faith while facing the harsh realities of doubt and disillusionment.

Adventure vs. Domestic Responsibility: In “Ulysses,” Tennyson portrays the tension between the desire for adventure and the demands of domestic life. Ulysses is an aged hero. He desires to launch on new journeys despite his responsibilities as a king. He expresses a deep dissatisfaction with a life of laziness:

I cannot rest from travel; I will drink 

Life to the lees.

This reflects the Victorian compromise of balancing personal desires with societal duties. Ulysses’ struggle reflects the era’s tension between progress and tradition. It shows the Victorian spirit of striving for more while being tied to responsibilities.

Nature and Industrialization: The rapid industrialization of the Victorian era brought significant changes to the landscape and society. Both “The Lotos Eaters” and “Locksley Hall” reflect the Victorian conflict between nature and industrialization. In “The Lotos Eaters,” the mariners desire a natural and idyllic life. In “Locksley Hall,” the speaker imagines a future shaped by technological progress. He says,

For I dipt into the future, far as human eye could see, 

Saw the Vision of the world, and all the wonder that would be.

Tennyson captures the Victorian compromise of adoring nature while being drawn to the promises of industrial advancement.

Immortality and Despair: “Tithonus” addresses the consequences of immortality. It reveals the Victorian concern about progress and eternal life. Tithonus’s eternal existence becomes a curse rather than a blessing. He laments, 

The woods decay, the woods decay and fall, 

The vapors weep their burthen to the ground.

His endless ageing without death highlights the Victorian fear of scientific advancements that might lengthen life unnaturally. This poem highlights the era’s compromise between embracing progress and fearing its potential liabilities.

Tennyson’s poetry masterfully captures the Victorian spirit and the era’s characteristic compromises. Through characters who struggle with duty, desire, and the passage of time, Tennyson highlights the significance of Victorian compromise. It makes his work timelessly applicable.