Alfred Lord Tennyson 1909 1892 Background Born August

Alfred Lord Tennyson 1909 -1892

Background Ø Born August 6, 1809. at Somersby Ø Several men in his family had mental and physical problems: epilepsy, insanity, excessive drinking Ø Tennyson’s father was abusive and violent

Cambridge Ø Tennyson attended Trinity College, Cambridge Ø Invited to join The Apostles, an undergraduate club. Ø This group included his lifelong friends. Ø Most important friendship was with Arthur Hallam. He and Tennyson knew each other for only four years, but their intense friendship had a major influence on the poet. Ø Hallam’s death in 1833 when he was only 22 lead to his best poetry, including In Memoriam.

1830 and 1832 Poems Ø In 1830, Tennyson published Poems, Chiefly Lyrical Ø Poems (1832 and 1833) were attacked by critics as obscure and affected. Ø Criticism kept Tennyson from publishing again for another nine years.

1842 Poems Ø Established Tennyson’s career as a writer Ø This volume includes “The Lady of Shalott, ” “The Lotus Eaters, ” and “Ulysses. ”

In Memoriam Ø Tennyson’s greatest poem Ø Published in 1850 Ø Represents his struggle with Hallam’s death and with the new developments in astronomy, biology, and geology that were diminishing man’s stature in the universe. Ø After publication of this poem, Tennyson was named Poet Laureate.

Tennyson’s Later Poetry Ø Tennyson’s later poetry follows a narrative style Ø Several poems dealt with national affairs Ø By this time, Tennyson was established as the most popular poet of the Victorian period. The money from his poetry allowed him to purchase a house in the country and write in seclusion. Ø His appearance enhanced his notoriety.

Idylls of the King Ø Large-scale epic poem that occupied the second half of his career. Ø Uses the Arthurian legend to construct a vision of the rise and fall of civilization. Ø Tennyson’s most extensive social vision.

Themes in Tennyson’s Poetry Ø The divided self Ø Links external scenery to interior states of mind. Ø The historical past Ø The mythological past Ø Tennyson’s personal past Ø Geological time and evolutionary history Ø Social and political concerns

Tennyson’s Reputation Ø Tennyson was the most popular poet in England in his own day Ø He was the target of mockery by his immediate successors, the Edwardians and Georgians. Ø Today, many critics consider Tennyson to be the greatest poet of the Victorian Age.

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