The Lady of Shallot

Published in 1832 and later revised in 1842, Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem "The Lady of Shalott" tells the story of a woman who lives alone in a tower and is cursed to view the outside world only through a mirror. She spends her days weaving what she sees reflected in the mirror until she finally turns to look directly at Camelot. The poem explores themes of isolation, beauty, art, and the conflict between living through imagination and experiencing real life. The Lady's decision to break the rules of her curse represents a desire for freedom, even when it comes with consequences. This poem connects to our exhibition because it raises questions about artistic freedom and society's restrictions. Like the Decadents, the Lady struggles against limitations placed on her, making her story an interesting example of the tension between individual expression and social expectations.