The Princess

"The Princess" by Alfred Lord Tennyson is a poetic narrative written in the late 19th century. The poem explores themes of gender roles, education, and the struggle for women's rights through a fictional narrative woven with mythic and historical elements. The main characters at the start include the Princess Ida, who has established an all-female university, and Prince Arthur, who seeks to win her love. At the start of the poem, we witness a lively gathering at Sir Walter Vivian's estate, where various characters discuss the past and the presence of women in a male-dominated society. A legend of a brave woman who fought for her homeland evokes admiration, setting the stage for a contrast with Princess Ida's contemporary vision of women's independence through education. The prologue and opening scenes highlight the interactions among the youthful characters—Ida, her suitors like Prince Arthur and Cyril, and their shared aspirations for a reformed society that recognizes women's capabilities and rights, establishing a rich backdrop for the unfolding drama. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson,, was an English poet. He was the Poet Laureate during much of Queen Victoria's reign. In 1829, Tennyson was awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal at Cambridge for one of his first pieces, "Timbuktu". He published his first solo collection of poems, Poems, Chiefly Lyrical, in 1830. "Claribel" and "Mariana", which remain some of Tennyson's most celebrated poems, were included in this volume. Although described by some critics as overly sentimental, his poems ultimately proved popular and brought Tennyson to the attention of well-known writers of the day, including Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Tennyson's early poetry, with its medievalism and powerful visual imagery, was a major influence on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.