Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) was one of the most popular and influential poets of the Victorian era. He attended Trinity College in Cambridge where he befriended Arthur Hallam, whose early death had a profound impact on Tennyson and inspired his longest and most famous poem, In Memoriam. Tennyson struggled with criticism early in his career but his 1842 collection established his reputation. He went on to write several iconic poems and served as Poet Laureate for over 40 years, becoming the representative voice of Victorian values and concerns through his exploration of faith, science, history and social change.

1. Alfred Lord TennysonAlfred Lord Tennyson
1809-18921809-1892
1909-18921909-1892

2. BackgroundBackground
 Born August 6, 1809. at SomersbyBorn August 6, 1809. at Somersby
 Several men in his family had mental andSeveral men in his family had mental and
physical problems: epilepsy, insanity,physical problems: epilepsy, insanity,
excessive drinkingexcessive drinking
 Tennyson’s father was abusive and violentTennyson’s father was abusive and violent

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

4. 1830 and 1832 Poems1830 and 1832 Poems
 In 1830, TennysonIn 1830, Tennyson
published Poems,published Poems,
Chiefly LyricalChiefly Lyrical
 Poems (1832 andPoems (1832 and
1833) were attacked1833) were attacked
by critics as obscureby critics as obscure
and affected.and affected.
 Criticism keptCriticism kept
Tennyson fromTennyson from
publishing again forpublishing again for
another nine years.another nine years.

5. 1842 Poems1842 Poems
 EstablishedEstablished
Tennyson’s career asTennyson’s career as
a writera writer
 This volume includesThis volume includes
“The Lady of Shalott,”“The Lady of Shalott,”
“The Lotus Eaters,”“The Lotus Eaters,”
and “Ulysses.”and “Ulysses.”

6. In MemoriamIn Memoriam
 Tennyson’s greatestTennyson’s greatest
poempoem
 Published in 1850Published in 1850
 Represents his struggleRepresents his struggle
with Hallam’s death andwith Hallam’s death and
with the newwith the new
developments indevelopments in
astronomy, biology, andastronomy, biology, and
geology that weregeology that were
diminishing man’s staturediminishing man’s stature
in the universe.in the universe.
 After publication of thisAfter publication of this
poem, Tennyson waspoem, Tennyson was
named Poet Laureate.named Poet Laureate.

7. Tennyson’s Later PoetryTennyson’s Later Poetry
 Tennyson’s later poetryTennyson’s later poetry
follows a narrative stylefollows a narrative style
 Several poems dealt withSeveral poems dealt with
national affairsnational affairs
 By this time, TennysonBy this time, Tennyson
was established as thewas established as the
most popular poet of themost popular poet of the
Victorian period. TheVictorian period. The
money from his poetrymoney from his poetry
allowed him to purchaseallowed him to purchase
a house in the countrya house in the country
and write in seclusion.and write in seclusion.
 His appearanceHis appearance
enhanced his notoriety.enhanced his notoriety.

8. Idylls of the KingIdylls of the King
 Large-scale epicLarge-scale epic
poem that occupiedpoem that occupied
the second half of histhe second half of his
career.career.
 Uses the ArthurianUses the Arthurian
legend to construct alegend to construct a
vision of the rise andvision of the rise and
fall of civilization.fall of civilization.
 Tennyson’s mostTennyson’s most
extensive socialextensive social
vision.vision.

9. Themes in Tennyson’s PoetryThemes in Tennyson’s Poetry
 The divided selfThe divided self
 Links external scenery to interior states ofLinks external scenery to interior states of
mind.mind.
 The historical pastThe historical past
 The mythological pastThe mythological past
 Tennyson’s personal pastTennyson’s personal past
 Geological time and evolutionary historyGeological time and evolutionary history
 Social and political concernsSocial and political concerns

10. Themes in Tennyson’s PoetryThemes in Tennyson’s Poetry
 Having faith and Keeping faithHaving faith and Keeping faith

Faith and loyalty are essentialFaith and loyalty are essential

Keeping them is hardKeeping them is hard
• tenuoustenuous
• SubjectiveSubjective
• irrationalirrational
 men and their societies must be founded onmen and their societies must be founded on
many faiths:many faiths:

between ruler and ruledbetween ruler and ruled

man and woman to each otherman and woman to each other

worshipper and Godworshipper and God

In and to one’s selfIn and to one’s self

11. Themes in Tennyson’s PoetryThemes in Tennyson’s Poetry
 Tennyson is sceptical about man's capacity toTennyson is sceptical about man's capacity to
have and keep faith:have and keep faith:

the destruction of an ideal when men do notthe destruction of an ideal when men do not
keep faith:keep faith:
• "The Passing of Arthur,“"The Passing of Arthur,“

makes it quite clear how the Roundmakes it quite clear how the Round
Table failedTable failed

offers some cause for hope:offers some cause for hope:
• presents the trials, triumphs, andpresents the trials, triumphs, and
conversion of the ordinary man:conversion of the ordinary man:
• Sir Bedivere.Sir Bedivere.

12. Themes in Tennyson’s PoetryThemes in Tennyson’s Poetry
 The problem of Science:The problem of Science:
 In this matter, Tennyson is a typical Victorian:In this matter, Tennyson is a typical Victorian:

deep interest in contemporary science vs. andeep interest in contemporary science vs. an
unorthodox, often contradictory, Christianunorthodox, often contradictory, Christian
belief.belief.
 Tennysonian ideas of evolution:Tennysonian ideas of evolution:

Ie: passage from “Idylls…”:Ie: passage from “Idylls…”:
The old order changeth, yielding place to new,The old order changeth, yielding place to new,
And God fulfills Himself in many ways,And God fulfills Himself in many ways,
Lest one good custom should corrupt theLest one good custom should corrupt the
world,world,

13. Tennyson’s ReputationTennyson’s Reputation
 Tennyson was the most popular poet inTennyson was the most popular poet in
England in his own dayEngland in his own day
 He was the target of mockery by hisHe was the target of mockery by his
immediate successors, the Edwardiansimmediate successors, the Edwardians
and Georgians.and Georgians.
 Today, many critics consider Tennyson toToday, many critics consider Tennyson to
be the greatest poet of the Victorian Age.be the greatest poet of the Victorian Age.

14. Images of TennysonImages of Tennyson