“He rode between the barley-sheaves, the sun came dazzling thro’ the leaves, and flamed upon the brazen greaves, of bold Sir Lancelot.
The themes of romance and sorrow are used to express the lady of Shallott’s true feelings throughout the poem. Tennyson makes you feel sympathy towards the lady of Shallott because she is a lonely woman who is imprisoned and cursed. He achieves this with the use of imagery.
The theme of romance is strongly associated with sir Lancelot because he is described as a knight in shining Armour. Jealousy is also linked with this because the lady of Shallott is jealous of lovers since she has no knight in shining Armour for herself. ‘Or when the moon was overhead, came two young lovers lately wed; I am half sick of shadows, said the lady of shallott.’
The theme of sorrow can clearly be seen throughout most of this poem and is often or always associated with the lady of shallott. This is because she is a poor and feeble woman.
Tennyson uses imagery to emphasize the lady of shallott’s feelings, he gives the reader clear images to plant into their heads. The poem starts with an excellent description of Camelot, giving the reader a clear image. ‘On either side the river lie, long fields of barley and rye.’
Tennyson also describes Sir Lancelot and gives the reader a clear image of the heroic knight. ‘And from his blazoned baldric slung, A mighty silver bugle hung, And as he rode his Armour rung.’
Tennyson also uses contrasts to highlight the lady of Shallott’s feelings. The poet compares the lady of Shallott and Sir Lancelot. Sir Lancelot has a higher social status than the lady of Shallott. The poet also blends the two characters together to bring the poem alive.
Tennyson also uses contrasts to compare what it is like inside the castle where the lady of Shallott is and outside the castle.
The castle is dreary and dull whereas outside it’s beautiful. ‘ Four grey walls and four grey towers, overlook a space of flowers.’
Tennyson uses repetition to convey the lady of Shallott’s felling in this poem. He uses Assonance (the repetition of vowel letters) to speed the poem up. ‘ Only reapers reaping early, In among the bearded barley.’ The poet also uses Alliteration (the repetition of consonant letters) to slow the poem. ‘ Willows whiten, aspens quiver’
The poet also uses repetition to make the poem flow and it reflects the poem, everything goes up and down.
The poet uses characterization to portray the lady of shallott’s true feelings in the poem. Sir Lancelot is described as a valiant and honorable character that has a very high profile. The lady of shallott is described as a lonely woman, who is cursed and helpless.
Throughout this poem, Tennyson has used many different techniques to show the lady of shallott’s feelings. He uses techniques such as imagery and repetition to show the sorrow of the lady of Shallott and also makes the reader fell sympathy towards her.