Tennyson's Influences

The 1800’s came upon the earth as the dawn of a new age. With this dawn, however, came the change of many old things, including the power and supremacy of the great English Empire of Europe. When this time came, many writers began to look back to works long in the past for wisdom. The culture began to look for a hero of sorts. Poets such as Alfred Lord Tennyson began to produce such heroes. Scott says, “His was a unique career in the close interrelations it demonstrates between a highly individual creative artist and the culture of his age.” Tennyson was great at relating things to current events, no matter what the situation or who it was applied to. He often wrote about either old Arthurian stories or that of the Greeks. Davis says, “Unsure about modern society, Victorian writers, like Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Robert Stephen Hawker, looked back on this medieval hero to inform their views of the present.” When it comes to Tennyson’s three pieces In Memoriam, The Lady of Shalott, and Ulysse, three major events happening around him influenced his writing to think one way or another; his friend’s death, the change in the role of women, and perseverance of his country in its old age.
To begin, Tennyson’s work In Memoriam was influenced by Tennyson’s best pal’s death. Weaver stated “In In Memoriam doubt and faith become the key elements in the pursuit of a clear answer from God.” Because Tennyson loses his best friend he grieves for him, and many times questions his own faith for the sake of his lost friend. Although this portion is not considered in out “hymnals”, Tennyson asks a great deal about what it means to die, as well as questions such as why do bad things happen to good people throughout the text. In the end, however, Ten...

... middle of paper ...

...ccurrences around him when it came to his literary works. Whether it was a death of someone near him, the new roles of genders, or the looming downfall of a world power, Tennyson wrote about it all, but most of what he said was very indirect and required much thought, which drew the reader in.

Works Cited

Andrade, Mary A. "Tennyson." Tennyson. Collin County Comunity College, n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.

Davis, Shea. "Arthurian Poetry." Class Projects at Kenyon. Kenyon.edu, 2007. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.

Scott, Patrick. "Alfred Tennyson, 1809-1892." University of South Carolina Libraries. USC, Fall 1992. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.

Weaver, Amanda. "The Epic Battle of God and Nature in Tennyson's In Memoriam." UNCA. Ramsey Library, Fall 2008. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.

Zanzucchi, Anne. "Tennyson, Alfred Lord." Robbins Library Digital Projects. Rochester University, n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.