1. Lady of Shalott Alfred, Lord Tennyson

2. Lady of Shalott In what ways does the Lady of Shalott represent the Victorian ideals of womanhood? In what ways does the Lady of Shalott represent the Victorian ideals of womanhood? If Lancelot, and Camelot in general, represents the world of the males, what keeps the Lady of Shalott from leaving her tower and joining them sooner? If Lancelot, and Camelot in general, represents the world of the males, what keeps the Lady of Shalott from leaving her tower and joining them sooner?

3. Lady of Shalott What is the Curse? What is the Curse? In an earlier version of this poem, Tennyson has the Lady of Shalott write a kind of suicide note. Why did the author choose to omit this? In an earlier version of this poem, Tennyson has the Lady of Shalott write a kind of suicide note. Why did the author choose to omit this? What kills the Lady of Shalott? The curse? Did she just give up? Did nature kill her? What significance might this have? What kills the Lady of Shalott? The curse? Did she just give up? Did nature kill her? What significance might this have?

4. Lady of Shalott If this is seen as an allegory of a woman trying to escape the traditional role society has placed upon her, what are some of the reasons she might have failed? If this is seen as an allegory of a woman trying to escape the traditional role society has placed upon her, what are some of the reasons she might have failed? How does Lancelot’s reaction at her death fit into this allegory of a woman failing in a man’s world? How does Lancelot’s reaction at her death fit into this allegory of a woman failing in a man’s world? Do we see any of these same issues today? Explain. Do we see any of these same issues today? Explain.

5. Lady of Shalott What is the only physical description given of the Lady of Shalott? Who gives it? Why might that be significant? What is the only physical description given of the Lady of Shalott? Who gives it? Why might that be significant?