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 

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