Medieval meets Victorian in “The Lady of Shallot”

Reading Malory’s “The Fair Maid of Astolat” influenced how I read Tennyson’s “The Lady of Shallot“. The victorian poem focuses primarily on the Lady of Shalott herself with a delayed introduction of Lancelot. Malory’s poem is filled with many characters. The overlapping names, places and backstory can be vastly overwhelming compared to the simplistic characters in the victorian poem. The focus was on the longing of Love rather than the need for community. The Malory poem felt like a war story or catalog of random people and battles. In comparison to Tennyson’s work, Malory’s poem is free of magical elements and focused only of the biographical events that occurred.

I will admit, I was a little biased against Lancelot after reading his lack of integrity or concern in Tennyson’s work. I remember vaguely mumbling something along the lines of “Typical man” when he commented on her appearance even after she had passed on. It was difficult to remember that there as no previous relationship between the two individuals prior to her passing. Malory tells a completely different person. Lancelot is an adulterous liar who takes advantage of love seeking women. In Malory’s version, Lancelot is more hated for his actions and treatment of others.

Bring on the women! Tennyson’s poem elicits an emotional response from the audience in favor of our lovely Lady of Shallot. Our lady is trapped in a loveless tower searching for an unobtainable male emotional response. In Malory’s version, the heavy weight of detail raises questions about the Lady of Shalott’s situation in Tennyson’s work. It is unclear as to wether or not she is trapped by force or is trapped as a choice. Is she cursed? Is she magical? It is unclear. In Malory’s version there is an overflow of details on the Maydyn. She is not trapped in a tower but rather gives herself to a man she recently met and showed unreciprocated feelings resulting in her eventual suicide. The audience’s emotional support is present not at her final act of suicide, but rather at the deception presented by Lancelot. Both women can be viewed as slaves to their own towers of unrequited love, but one has the option to live free and one dies for “love”.

Tennyson’s poem seems for like a ballad or sweet lullaby in comparison to the hefty intake of Malory’s poem. However, Malory’s poem provides more backstory to the characters with historical basis. Tennyson’s poem lacks the historical grounding, but in some cases I think I enjoy that poem better. The Lady of Shallot seems like a character that many women can feel connected to. Perhaps women trapped in abusive relationships who are searching for love outside of their loveless castle. In any case, I am more likely to be reciting the melodic stanzas of Tennyson’s work rather than quoting Malory’s extensive poem in my daily life. So for this round, Tennyson’s poem wins.