'The Ballad of Oriana' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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The Ballad of Oriana
My heart is wasted with my woe,
Oriana.
There is no rest for me below,
Oriana.
When the long dun wolds are ribb’d with snow,
And loud the Norland whirlwinds blow,
Oriana,
Alone I wander to and fro,
Oriana.
Ere the light on dark was growing,
Oriana,
At midnight the cock was crowing,
Oriana;
Winds were blowing, waters flowing,
We heard the steeds to battle going,
Oriana,
Aloud the hollow bugle blowing,
Oriana.
In the yew-wood black as night,
Oriana,
Ere I rode into the fight,
Oriana,
While blissful tears blinded my sight
By star-shine and by moonlight,
Oriana,
I to thee my troth did plight,
Oriana.
She stood upon the castle wall,
Oriana;
She watch’d my crest among them all,
Oriana;
She saw me fight, she heard me call,
When forth there stept a foeman tall,
Oriana,
Atween me and the castle wall,
Oriana.
The bitter arrow went aside,
Oriana:
The false, false arrow went aside,
Oriana;
The damned arrow glanced aside,
And pierced thy heart, my love, my bride,
Oriana!
Thy heart, my life, my love, my bride,
Oriana!
O, narrow, narrow was the space,
Oriana!
Loud, loud rung out the bugle’s brays,
Oriana.
O, deathful stabs were dealt apace,
The battle deepen’d in its place,
Oriana;
But I was down upon my face,
Oriana.
They should have stabb’d me where I lay,
Oriana!
How could I rise and come away,
Oriana?
How could I look upon the day?
They should have stabb’d me where I lay,
Oriana–
They should have trod me into clay,
Oriana.
O breaking heart that will not break,
Oriana!
O pale, pale face so sweet and meek,
Oriana!
Thou smilest, but thou dost not speak,
And then the tears run down my cheek,
Oriana.
What wantest thou? whom dost thou seek,
Oriana?
I cry aloud; none hear my cries,
Oriana.
Thou comest atween me and the skies,
Oriana.
I feel the tears of blood arise
Up from my heart unto my eyes,
Oriana.
Within thy heart my arrow lies,
Oriana.
O cursed hand! O cursed blow!
Oriana!
O happy thou that liest low,
Oriana!
All night the silence seems to flow
Beside me in my utter woe,
Oriana.
A weary, weary way I go,
Oriana!
When Norland winds pipe down the sea,
Oriana,
I walk, I dare not think of thee,
Oriana.
Thou liest beneath the greenwood tree,
I dare not die and come to thee,
Oriana.
I hear the roaring of the sea,
Oriana.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Ballad of Oriana: A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, wrote many poems that have stood the test of time. But one of his lesser-known works, The Ballad of Oriana, deserves more attention than it has received. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, motifs, and symbols of this poem and analyze its significance in the context of Tennyson's oeuvre.
The Poem
The Ballad of Oriana is a narrative poem that tells the story of a woman named Oriana who is waiting for her lover, the noble knight Amadis, to return from a quest. Oriana is plagued by doubts and fears, wondering if Amadis still loves her or if he has forgotten her in his adventures. In her despair, she sends messengers to find him, but they return with no news. Finally, Oriana decides to go out and search for Amadis herself. She dresses in men's clothes, takes a sword and a shield, and sets out on her horse. After many days of wandering, Oriana finally finds Amadis, who has been wounded in battle. She nurses him back to health and they are reunited in their love.
The poem is written in ballad form, a traditional style of English poetry that uses simple language, repetition, and a sing-song rhythm to tell a story. Tennyson's ballad is composed of 56 stanzas, each containing four lines of iambic tetrameter. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, with the second and fourth lines rhyming.
Themes
The Ballad of Oriana explores several themes that were common in Romantic poetry. One of the main themes is the power of love. Oriana's love for Amadis is so strong that she is willing to risk her life to find him. Even when she is filled with doubts and fears, she never stops loving him. This theme of love as a powerful force that can overcome all obstacles is a classic Romantic theme, and Tennyson handles it with skill and sensitivity.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the role of women in society. Oriana is a strong, independent woman who defies the conventions of her time by dressing as a man and going out to seek her lover. Tennyson portrays her as a brave and resourceful heroine who is not afraid to take risks. This theme of women's empowerment was also a common one in Romantic literature, and Tennyson's portrayal of Oriana as a strong and courageous woman was groundbreaking for its time.
The third theme that is explored in the poem is the nature of heroism. Amadis is a heroic figure, a noble knight who has gone on a quest to prove his worth. But the poem also shows that heroism is not just about physical strength and bravery. Oriana, too, is a hero in her own right, as she shows courage and determination in her search for Amadis. This theme of heroism as a multifaceted concept is another classic Romantic theme, and Tennyson's treatment of it is both nuanced and sophisticated.
Motifs and Symbols
Tennyson uses several motifs and symbols in The Ballad of Oriana to deepen the meaning of the poem. One of the most prominent motifs is that of the sea. Oriana is described as "the lady of the sea," and the sea is portrayed as a powerful, mysterious force that can both harm and heal. The sea is also a symbol of the unknown, representing the vast, uncharted territory of the human soul. Tennyson uses the sea motif to create a sense of wonder and awe, and to suggest that there are mysteries in life that cannot be fully understood.
Another important symbol in the poem is that of the sword. Oriana takes a sword with her on her journey, and the sword is a symbol of both power and danger. It represents Oriana's strength and courage, but also the risks she is taking by going out on her own. The sword also symbolizes the violence and conflict that are inherent in human nature, and the need for strength and courage to face them.
Finally, Tennyson uses the symbol of the rose to represent Oriana's love for Amadis. The rose is a classic symbol of love in Western literature, and Tennyson uses it to suggest the beauty and fragility of Oriana's love. The rose also symbolizes the idea that love is something that must be nurtured and cared for, like a delicate flower.
Interpretation
The Ballad of Oriana is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a celebration of women's empowerment. Oriana is a strong and independent woman who refuses to be held back by the conventions of her time. She is not content to sit and wait for her lover to return, but takes matters into her own hands and goes out to find him. This interpretation suggests that Tennyson was a feminist poet who believed in the equality of the sexes.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the nature of love. Oriana's love for Amadis is portrayed as a powerful and transformative force that can overcome all obstacles. This interpretation suggests that Tennyson was a Romantic poet who believed in the transformative power of love.
A third possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a critique of the traditional notions of heroism. Amadis is a heroic figure, but he is also wounded and vulnerable. Oriana, too, is a hero in her own right, even though she does not fit the traditional mold of the hero. This interpretation suggests that Tennyson was a post-Romantic poet who was interested in exploring the complexities and contradictions of human nature.
Conclusion
The Ballad of Oriana is a masterful work of Romantic poetry that deserves more attention than it has received. Tennyson's skillful use of language, imagery, and symbolism creates a rich and complex tapestry of meaning that rewards careful analysis and interpretation. Whether read as a celebration of women's empowerment, a meditation on the nature of love, or a critique of traditional notions of heroism, The Ballad of Oriana remains a timeless masterpiece of English literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Ballad of Oriana: A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry
Alfred, Lord Tennyson is one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era. His works are known for their romanticism, vivid imagery, and musicality. Among his many masterpieces, The Ballad of Oriana stands out as a shining example of his poetic genius. This ballad, written in 1830, tells the story of a tragic love affair between a knight and a princess, and explores themes of loyalty, honor, and fate. In this analysis, we will delve into the rich symbolism, structure, and language of this classic poem, and discover why it still resonates with readers today.
The Ballad of Oriana is a narrative poem that tells a story in a simple, yet powerful way. It is divided into six stanzas, each consisting of eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCBCC, with the last two lines of each stanza repeating the same words. This repetition creates a haunting, melancholic effect, as if the poem is echoing itself. The meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables. This gives the poem a steady, rhythmic flow, like a song or a chant.
The poem begins with a description of Oriana, the princess of a far-off land, who is waiting for her lover, the knight Amadis, to return from a quest. The first stanza sets the tone of the poem, with its vivid imagery of the sea, the wind, and the waves. Tennyson uses the sea as a metaphor for the emotions of the characters, as if their love is as vast and unpredictable as the ocean. The repetition of the phrase "Oriana waits" emphasizes her longing and her vulnerability, as if she is at the mercy of fate.
In the second stanza, we learn more about Amadis, the brave knight who has won Oriana's heart. He is described as a "lion-hearted" warrior, who has faced many dangers and challenges. Tennyson uses animal imagery to convey Amadis's strength and courage, as if he is a wild beast that cannot be tamed. The repetition of the phrase "Amadis rides" creates a sense of motion and urgency, as if he is racing against time to reach Oriana.
The third stanza introduces a new character, a jealous rival of Amadis named Brandimart. He is described as a "false knight" who seeks to destroy Amadis's reputation and win Oriana's love for himself. Tennyson uses the contrast between light and darkness to symbolize the conflict between good and evil, as if Brandimart is a shadow that threatens to engulf Amadis's light. The repetition of the phrase "Brandimart lies" creates a sense of deceit and treachery, as if he is plotting something sinister.
In the fourth stanza, the plot thickens as Amadis encounters a mysterious lady who warns him of danger. She tells him that Oriana is in peril and that he must return to her immediately. Tennyson uses the lady as a symbol of fate, as if she is a messenger from the gods who controls the destiny of the characters. The repetition of the phrase "Amadis hears" creates a sense of urgency and suspense, as if he is about to face a great challenge.
In the fifth stanza, Amadis returns to Oriana's castle, only to find that she has died of grief and despair. Tennyson uses the contrast between life and death to symbolize the tragedy of their love, as if their passion was so intense that it consumed them both. The repetition of the phrase "Oriana's dead" creates a sense of finality and sorrow, as if there is no hope for redemption or reconciliation.
In the final stanza, Amadis mourns Oriana's death and vows to join her in the afterlife. Tennyson uses the image of a ship sailing into the sunset to symbolize their journey to the other world, as if death is a voyage that they must take together. The repetition of the phrase "Amadis dies" creates a sense of closure and resolution, as if their love has transcended the boundaries of life and death.
The Ballad of Oriana is a masterpiece of romantic poetry that explores the themes of love, loyalty, and fate. Tennyson's use of vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and musical language creates a haunting, melancholic effect that lingers in the reader's mind. The poem's structure, with its repetition of key phrases and its steady, rhythmic flow, creates a sense of unity and coherence that enhances its emotional impact. The characters of Oriana, Amadis, and Brandimart are archetypes of the romantic genre, representing the ideals of beauty, bravery, and treachery. The poem's tragic ending, with its sense of finality and closure, leaves a lasting impression on the reader, as if the story of Oriana and Amadis is a timeless tale of love and loss.
In conclusion, The Ballad of Oriana is a classic poem that deserves to be read and appreciated by all lovers of poetry. Its themes of love, loyalty, and fate are universal and timeless, and its language and imagery are as vivid and powerful today as they were when Tennyson wrote them. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of romantic poetry, and a reminder that the human heart is capable of great passion and great sorrow.
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