How Does Tennyson use Description to Develop the Story of the Lady of Shalott?
Tennyson uses a great deal of description in this poem to convey the changes that the protagonist goes through and the emotions she feels. Many different types of description are used, sensory and setting descriptions play a major role in this poem. In this poem the land is described as being full of ‘barley and of rye’, this shows the productiveness of the land in Camelot, this productiveness is also displayed in the description of the ‘heavy barges’ and all the ‘reapers reaping’. This emphasis on the energy and activity in Camelot contrasts strongly to the solitude and loneliness that is felt by the Lady of Shalott and this juxtaposition stresses how dormant her life is and that Camelot will play an important part in the story of the poem. The landscape of Camelot is further described as a very tranquil and gentle place as Tennyson uses a lot of sibilance and fragile verbs such as ‘quiver’ and ‘shiver’ to describe the delicateness of the trees and general natural scenery in Camelot. This portrayal develops the story as it sets a fairytale setting for the plot, leading the reader to wonder what part this beautiful, productive land will play in the poem. The repeated mention of willow trees throughout the poem represent the discontent of the woman as willows are frequently though of in connection with weeping and sadness, enabling us to understand that the story is not a joyful one.
As well as the description of the landscape, Tennyson uses specific vocabulary to make the Lady of Shalott seem mysterious, before she is properly introduced in the poem, for example he describes her as a ‘fairy’ of whom people have only heard ‘whispers’ and he asks many questions which cannot be answered to ensure the reader is aware that she is a presence of which people are unsure. This anticipation created about the Lady enables the reader to see that the Lady will be very important throughout the...