Romantic Elements in Tennyson’s Poem

Answer

What romantic elements do you find in Tennyson’s poems that you have studied?

Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) is one of the prominent figures of the Victorian era. His poems are enriched with romantic elements like emotion, nature, and individuality. Tennyson’s works exhibit characteristics of both Romanticism and Victorianism. There are several key points that highlight the presence of romantic themes and sensibilities in his poetry.

Emotion and Subjectivity: Tennyson explores intense emotional states and individual subjective experiences in his poems. He explores the complexities of human emotions, such as love, desire, grief, and despair. In the poem “Oenone,” Tennyson portrays Oenone, who is in grief after losing her loving husband, Paris, for Helen. Here, the Gods were indifferent. It reflects the struggle with religious faith. Her plea, 

Dear mother Ida, harken ere I die,

In the poem “Locksley Hall”, an unnamed speaker recalls her bitter childhood memory of when Amy was his love. However, he lost Amy in a harsh materialistic reality.

Nature and Imagination: Tennyson frequently draws inspiration from nature. He utilizes vivid descriptions of landscapes, seasons, and natural elements. He often employs nature as a metaphor or symbol to express human emotions and experiences. In the poem “The Lotos Eaters,” we find a vivid picture of sensuous nature. Here, Tennyson portrays the natural beauty of Lotos Island. He focuses on the distress and drowsiness of Ulyesess’ mariners. Tennyson depicts the natural surroundings of the island,

They saw the gleaming river seaward flow

From the inner land: far off, three mountain-tops.

After eating the Lotos fruits and flowers, the mariners lose their interest in sailing to the struggling sea. They want to rest internally. Unlike romantic poets, Tennyson’s nature is not always a source of comfort and solace. In “Tithonus,” nature’s youthfulness is in contrast with Tithonus’ eternal old life.

Escapism: There is a recurrent theme of escapism in Tennyson’s poetry. Here, characters seek refuge from the mundane or harsh realities of life. They desire a world of imagination, dreams, or alternative realities as a means of finding solace or fulfillment. In “The Lotos Eaters,” after eating the Lotos fruits and flowers, the mariners lose their interest in sailing to the struggling sea. They want to rest internally. One of the mariners says, 

We will return no more.

Symbolism and Mythology: Tennyson employs symbolism. He draws from mythology in his poems to convey deeper meanings. Mythological figures, legends, and allegorical references are used to explore universal themes and timeless truths. Oenone, Paris, Ulysses, Tithonus, and Aurora are all mythological characters we found in his poems.

Romantic Love and Relationships: Love, particularly romantic love, is a recurring theme in Tennyson’s works. He portrays love as an intense and transformative force. Love is capable of bringing both joy and despair. In “Locksley Hall,” the speaker recalls his childhood happy memories of when his cousin Amy was his lover. The cheerful description of nature also adds to the romanticism in this poem. The speaker thinks back on the happy times. He and Amy have had happy times. They walked the moorland in the morning. They watched the ships go by during the evening. The following lines portray the speaker and Amy’s passionate love:

Many an evening by the waters did we watch the stately ships,

And our spirits rush’d together at the touching of the lips.

In conclusion, Tennyson’s poetry undoubtedly reflects the influence of Romanticism. It is also important to note that he combined elements of the Victorian era, such as social issues, morality, and the tension between tradition and progress. The result is a unique blend of romantic sensibilities and Victorian sensibilities in his poetic works.