Alfred Lord Tennyson Biography/Analysis
Phillip Simmons
Professor Beaton
English 102
07 March 2012
Alfred Lord Tennyson:
Poet Extraordinaire of his time during the mid-1800s Alfred Lord Tennyson’s life and opinions are reflected in his poetry without the concern of admirers or critics. His opinion questions the challenges of death, love, and faith as natural occurrences in life. These engagements of Tennyson’s thoughts are reflected in three of his poems, “In Memoriam A.H.H.”, “To the Queen”, and “Faith”. With the publication of his poems in 1842, Alfred Lord Tennyson was recognized as the Poet Laureate of his time before becoming a middle aged man in life. He was sought out by aspiring poets seeking knowledge, confirmation, and approval of their own writing drafts. The poem “In Memoriam A.H.H.” denotes the untimely passing of his closest friend. It is a tribute to the memory of Arthur Henry Hallam indicating the mourning of his death. Tennyson has a difficult time expressing his feelings with heartfelt words; “I sometimes hold it half a sin, to put in words the grief I feel: For words, like nature, half reveal and half conceal the soul within” (164). Arthur played a significant role in Tennyson’s life. The two met on October of 1828 shortly after his arrival at Trinity College. Until the time of his death, the two remained loyal friends. Tennyson had a high respect for his beloved friend Arthur. He was there for Alfred in his time of need and supported him during his depression, while dealing with many personal issues in his life. The poem “In Memoriam”, reflects aspects of their inseparable friendship. He expresses “My Arthur, whom I shall not see, till all my widow’d race be run; Dear as the mother to the son, more than my brothers are to me” (165). Tennyson was nearly heartbroken when he expresses his sorrow for he had…better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all (170). Arthur’s remains were buried on a hill overlooking the Bristol Channel. “In Memoriam”
Professor Beaton
English 102
07 March 2012
Alfred Lord Tennyson:
Poet Extraordinaire of his time during the mid-1800s Alfred Lord Tennyson’s life and opinions are reflected in his poetry without the concern of admirers or critics. His opinion questions the challenges of death, love, and faith as natural occurrences in life. These engagements of Tennyson’s thoughts are reflected in three of his poems, “In Memoriam A.H.H.”, “To the Queen”, and “Faith”. With the publication of his poems in 1842, Alfred Lord Tennyson was recognized as the Poet Laureate of his time before becoming a middle aged man in life. He was sought out by aspiring poets seeking knowledge, confirmation, and approval of their own writing drafts. The poem “In Memoriam A.H.H.” denotes the untimely passing of his closest friend. It is a tribute to the memory of Arthur Henry Hallam indicating the mourning of his death. Tennyson has a difficult time expressing his feelings with heartfelt words; “I sometimes hold it half a sin, to put in words the grief I feel: For words, like nature, half reveal and half conceal the soul within” (164). Arthur played a significant role in Tennyson’s life. The two met on October of 1828 shortly after his arrival at Trinity College. Until the time of his death, the two remained loyal friends. Tennyson had a high respect for his beloved friend Arthur. He was there for Alfred in his time of need and supported him during his depression, while dealing with many personal issues in his life. The poem “In Memoriam”, reflects aspects of their inseparable friendship. He expresses “My Arthur, whom I shall not see, till all my widow’d race be run; Dear as the mother to the son, more than my brothers are to me” (165). Tennyson was nearly heartbroken when he expresses his sorrow for he had…better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all (170). Arthur’s remains were buried on a hill overlooking the Bristol Channel. “In Memoriam”