Describe each part of the plot of Alfred,Lord Tennyson's poem THE LADY OF SHALOTT.
These sites will help you.
http://charon.sfsu.edu/tennyson/tennlady.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lady_of_Shalott
http://www.pathguy.com/shalott.htm
http://www.sparknotes.com/poetry/tennyson/section2.rhtml
"The Lady of Shalott" is a narrative poem written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson in 1832. The poem tells the story of a young woman confined to a tower on the island of Shalott.
Part 1: Introduction
In the first part, Tennyson introduces the setting and the Lady of Shalott. She is described as leading a solitary life in a tower, weaving a magical web. She is under a curse that prohibits her from looking directly out of her window towards the real world, but instead, she can only see the reflections of the outside world in a mirror.
Part 2: The Mirror's Reflections
As the Lady of Shalott weaves her tapestry, she begins to see the reflections of knights and their adventures in the outside world. She becomes increasingly curious about them, longing to experience the real world herself. However, she knows that if she were to look directly out of her window, the curse would befall her.
Part 3: The Arrival of Sir Lancelot
One day, the Lady of Shalott sees the reflection of the noble knight, Sir Lancelot, riding towards Camelot. Captivated by his appearance, the Lady can no longer resist the temptation and turns her eyes to look directly out of her window. As she does so, the curse is triggered, and the mirror cracks.
Part 4: The Lady's Journey
Realizing the gravity of her actions, the Lady of Shalott descends from her tower and finds an empty boat nearby. She writes her name on the prow and lies down in the boat, allowing it to carry her downstream towards Camelot. She watches the world passing by, singing her "last song" as she drifts towards her fate.
Part 5: The Lady's Death and Final Moments
As the boat reaches Camelot, it is discovered by many people, including Sir Lancelot, who marvel at the sight and the beauty of the Lady. However, they are unaware that she is dead. Only Sir Lancelot understands the tragic consequences of her actions. He prays for her soul and remarks on her beauty as he passes by.
Part 6: Conclusion
The poem ends with Tennyson's description of the mysterious curse that has haunted the Lady of Shalott. It emphasizes the tragic and inevitable fate that befell her due to her desire to break free from her isolated existence and experience the world.
To fully appreciate the poem and the elaborate imagery woven by Tennyson, it is recommended to read the poem in its entirety.