'Lady Clare' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson


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IT was the time when lilies blow,
And clouds are highest up in air,
Lord Ronald brought a lily-white doe
To give his cousin, Lady Clare.

I trow they did not part in scorn-
Lovers long-betroth'd were they:
They too will wed the morrow morn:
God's blessing on the day !

'He does not love me for my birth,
Nor for my lands so broad and fair;
He loves me for my own true worth,
And that is well,' said Lady Clare.

In there came old Alice the nurse,
Said, 'Who was this that went from thee?'
'It was my cousin,' said Lady Clare,
'To-morrow he weds vith me.'

'O God be thank'd!' said Alice the nurse,
' That all comes round so just and fair:
Lord Ronald is heir of all your lands,
And you are not the Lady Clare.'

'Are ye out of your mind, my nurse, my nurse?'
Said Lady Clare, 'that ye speak so wild?'
'As God's above,' said Alice the nurse,
' I speak the truth: you are my child.

'The old Earl's daughter died at my breast;
I speak the truth, as I live by bread!
I buried her like my own sweet child,
And put my child in her stead.'

'Falsely, falsely have ye done,
O mother,' she said, ' if this be true,
To keep the best man under the sun
So many years from his due.'

'Nay now, my child,' said Alice the nurse,
'But keep the secret for your life,
And all you have will be Lord Ronald's,
When you are man and wife.'

' If I'm a beggar born,' she said,
'I will speak out, for I dare not lie.
Pull off, pull off, the brooch of gold,
And fling the diamond necklace by.'

'Nay now, my child,' said Alice the nurse,
'But keep the secret all ye can.'
She said, ' Not so: but I will know
If there be any faith in man.'

'Nay now, what faith ?' said Alice the nurse,
'The man will cleave unto his right.'
'And he shall have it,' the lady replied,
'Tho' I should die to-night.'

'Yet give one kiss to your mother dear !
Alas, my child, I sinn'd for thee.'
'O mother, mother, mother,' she said,
'So strange it seems to me.

'Yet here's a kiss for my mother dear,
My mother dear, if this be so,
And lay your hand upon my head,
And bless me, mother, ere I go.'

She clad herself in a russet gown,
She was no longer Lady Clare:
She went by dale, and she went by down,
With a single rose in her hair.

The lily-white doe Lord Ronald had brought
Leapt up from where she lay,
Dropt her head in the maiden's hand,
And follow'd her all the way.

Down stept Lord Ronald from his tower:
'O Lady Clare, you shame your worth!
Why come you drest like a village maid,
That are the flower of the earth?'

'If I come drest like a village maid,
I am but as my fortunes are:
I am a beggar born,' she said,
'And not the Lady Clare.'

'Play me no tricks,' said Lord Ronald,
'For I am yours in word and in deed.
Play me no tricks,' said Lord Ronald,
'Your riddle is hard to read.'

O and proudly stood she up !
Her heart within her did not fail:
She look'd into Lord Ronald's eyes,
And told him all her nurse's tale.

He laugh'd a laugh of merry scorn:
He turn'd and kiss'd her where she stood:
'If you are not the heiress born,
And I,' said he, 'the next in blood--

'If you are not the heiress born,
And I,' said he, ' the lawful heir,
We two will wed to-morrow morn,
And you shall still be Lady Clare.'



Editor 1 Interpretation

Lady Clare: A Masterpiece of Victorian Poetry

Alfred, Lord Tennyson was a master of Victorian poetry, and his famous poem, Lady Clare, is a fine example of his lyrical and narrative skills. This poem was first published in 1842 and has since become a classic piece of literature that continues to inspire readers and poets of all ages.

In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the deeper meanings and themes of Lady Clare, explore Tennyson's use of language and imagery, and analyze the structure and form of the poem. So sit back, grab a cup of tea, and let's begin our journey into the world of Tennyson's Lady Clare.

The Storyline

The poem tells the story of Lady Clare, a noblewoman who is about to be married to a wealthy lord. On the day of the wedding, Lady Clare discovers that her real love is a humble shepherd boy who had been her childhood friend. She discovers that he was kidnapped as a baby and replaced by a changeling, so his true identity was unknown until now.

The story unfolds in five stanzas, each with eight lines. The simplicity and clarity of the narrative are in contrast with the complex and sophisticated language and imagery that Tennyson employs to convey the emotions and conflicts of the characters.

The poem opens with a description of the wedding preparations, and we see the bride's anxiety and unease about the upcoming event. The second stanza introduces the shepherd boy, who is described as a handsome and innocent youth, and we learn that Lady Clare had loved him since they were children.

In the third stanza, Lady Clare meets the changeling, who reveals the truth about his identity and the deception that had been played on her family. Lady Clare's reaction is both emotional and compassionate, as she feels sorry for the shepherd boy and enraged by the injustice done to him.

In the fourth stanza, Lady Clare confronts her father and demands that the shepherd boy be reinstated as the rightful heir to the estate. Her father is reluctant, but eventually, he agrees, and Lady Clare and the shepherd boy are reunited in a joyful embrace.

The final stanza is a reflection on the meaning of love and the power of true feelings to overcome social barriers and conventions. Lady Clare realizes that wealth and status are not the measure of happiness and that true love is the most precious gift one can receive.

Themes and Motifs

The central theme of Lady Clare is the conflict between love and social expectations. Lady Clare is torn between her duty to her family and her love for the shepherd boy. Her father, the Earl, represents the conservative and traditional values of the aristocracy, which prioritize wealth and power over personal feelings and emotions.

The shepherd boy, on the other hand, embodies the purity and simplicity of true love, which transcends social barriers and class differences. Tennyson uses the motif of the changeling to symbolize the deception and corruption that exists in the upper echelons of society, where the pursuit of power and status can lead to the sacrifice of human values and emotions.

Another important theme in Lady Clare is the power of memory and nostalgia. Lady Clare's love for the shepherd boy is rooted in her childhood memories and experiences, which are evoked by the pastoral imagery and language used by Tennyson. The idyllic countryside, the sheep and the fields, the songs and the laughter, all create a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler and happier time.

The contrast between the pastoral and the urban, the natural and the artificial, is a recurrent motif in Tennyson's poetry, and it reflects his own ambivalence towards the rapid industrialization and modernization of Victorian England. Lady Clare can be seen as a critique of the materialism and social inequality of the Victorian era, as well as a celebration of the resilience and power of human emotions and values.

Language and Imagery

One of the most striking features of Lady Clare is the richness and beauty of its language and imagery. Tennyson was a master of poetic expression, and his use of metaphor, simile, allusion, and personification, creates a vivid and evocative atmosphere that captures the emotions and conflicts of the characters.

The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the entire narrative:

It was the time when lilies blow,
And clouds are highest up in air,
Lord Ronald brought a lily-white doe
To give his cousin, Lady Clare.

The alliteration and assonance of the first line create a sense of harmony and beauty, while the juxtaposition of the natural and artificial, the lilies and the clouds, sets the stage for the conflict between love and convention.

The pastoral imagery is used throughout the poem to evoke the idyllic world of Lady Clare's childhood, and to contrast it with the cold and artificial world of the aristocracy. The image of the shepherd boy tending his flock is a powerful symbol of the purity and simplicity of true love, and it is contrasted with the image of the changeling, who is described as sneaky and cunning:

And he, the sheep-boy scorns to play,
Before his eyes in open day,
With that foul kitchen knave.

The use of archaic and dialectic language is another notable feature of Lady Clare, and it adds to the authenticity and realism of the narrative. Tennyson was a master of English language and literature, and he used his wide-ranging knowledge and expertise to create a poetic language that combines the simplicity and clarity of the past with the sophistication and complexity of the present.

Structure and Form

The structure and form of Lady Clare are also worth examining, as they reflect Tennyson's mastery of poetic technique and style. The poem consists of five stanzas, each with eight lines, and the rhyme scheme is ABABBCBC, with the third and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming with each other.

The metre of the poem is iambic tetrameter, which creates a steady and rhythmic flow that echoes the pastoral imagery and the simplicity of the narrative. The use of enjambment and caesura adds to the musicality and expressiveness of the poem, as it allows the lines to flow into each other and to create a sense of unity and fluidity.

The repetition of certain words and phrases, such as "the lilies blow," "the shepherd's crook," and "Lady Clare," creates a sense of continuity and coherence, and it reinforces the themes and motifs of the poem. The use of dialogue and direct speech also adds to the realism and verisimilitude of the narrative, as we can hear the characters' voices and emotions.

Conclusion

Lady Clare is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry, and it exemplifies Tennyson's poetic genius and his deep understanding of human emotions and conflicts. The poem is a complex and multi-layered narrative that explores the themes of love, social expectations, memory, and nostalgia, and it does so with a language and imagery that are rich, beautiful, and evocative.

The story of Lady Clare and the shepherd boy is a timeless and universal one, and it continues to resonate with readers and poets of all ages. Tennyson's Lady Clare is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience and to convey it with a clarity and beauty that are both inspiring and enduring.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for human emotions, and Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "Lady Clare" is a classic example of how poetry can convey a story with depth and meaning. This poem is a narrative ballad that tells the story of a young woman named Lady Clare, who defies societal norms and chooses love over wealth and status. The poem is a beautiful blend of romance, tragedy, and social commentary, making it a timeless piece of literature that still resonates with readers today.

The poem begins with a description of Lady Clare's privileged life. She is the daughter of a wealthy lord, and her life is filled with luxury and comfort. However, Lady Clare is not content with her life of privilege and yearns for something more. She dreams of love and romance, and her heart is set on a young man named Lord Ronald.

Lord Ronald is not of the same social standing as Lady Clare, and her father disapproves of their relationship. He forbids Lady Clare from seeing Lord Ronald and arranges for her to marry a wealthy suitor instead. Lady Clare is heartbroken but decides to follow her heart and elopes with Lord Ronald.

The poem takes a tragic turn when Lady Clare's father discovers her elopement and sends his men to bring her back. In a desperate attempt to save her love, Lord Ronald fights the men and is fatally wounded. Lady Clare is devastated by his death and dies of a broken heart soon after.

The poem's narrative structure is simple, but the themes it explores are complex and thought-provoking. Tennyson uses Lady Clare's story to comment on the rigid social norms of Victorian society and the limitations they placed on women's choices. Lady Clare's desire for love and freedom is at odds with her father's expectations, and her decision to elope with Lord Ronald is a rebellion against the societal norms that dictated her life.

Tennyson also explores the theme of love and its power to transcend social barriers. Lady Clare's love for Lord Ronald is pure and genuine, and she is willing to risk everything to be with him. Their love is a testament to the idea that true love knows no bounds and can conquer even the most significant obstacles.

The poem's tragic ending is a commentary on the consequences of defying societal norms. Lady Clare's decision to elope with Lord Ronald leads to his death and her own. Tennyson suggests that society's expectations are so ingrained that even those who rebel against them cannot escape their consequences.

The poem's language is simple yet evocative, and Tennyson's use of imagery adds depth and meaning to the narrative. The opening lines of the poem set the scene and create a sense of luxury and privilege:

"Lady Clare, was rich and young, And bridegroom sought from far and near; The land of the Earl of Clare was wide, With forests as dark as night was wide, And cliffs as high as any tower; And rivers winding for evermore, By many a field and many a shore."

Tennyson's use of imagery creates a vivid picture of Lady Clare's world, and the contrast between the dark forests and high cliffs and Lady Clare's privileged life creates a sense of tension and unease.

The poem's use of dialogue is also effective in conveying the characters' emotions and motivations. Lady Clare's conversation with her father is a poignant moment in the poem, as she pleads with him to let her marry Lord Ronald:

"O father, will you never understand The heart of a maid and her love for a man?"

Lady Clare's words are simple yet powerful, and they convey the depth of her love for Lord Ronald and her frustration with her father's expectations.

In conclusion, Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "Lady Clare" is a classic poem that explores themes of love, rebellion, and societal norms. The poem's narrative structure is simple, but the themes it explores are complex and thought-provoking. Tennyson's use of language and imagery creates a vivid picture of Lady Clare's world and adds depth and meaning to the narrative. The poem's tragic ending is a commentary on the consequences of defying societal norms, and Tennyson suggests that even those who rebel against them cannot escape their consequences. Overall, "Lady Clare" is a timeless piece of literature that still resonates with readers today.

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