The Representation of the Self in Alfred Lord Tennyson's Poetry

Abstract

Literary investigation of selfhood has long reflected human identity and introspection. Alfred Lord Tennyson's self-portraits are examined in this article. Tennyson's introspective lyrics illuminated Victorian consciousness during immense social and intellectual change. This article examines Tennyson's complex self-representation in selected poems. The essay places Tennyson's poetry in the context of Victorian literature and ideas, stressing selfhood's changing roles. It examines Tennyson's introspective study of emotions, wants, doubts, and fears. According to Tennyson's poems, the self's relationship to nature, society, and history is examined. A thematic analysis of seclusion, nostalgia, and existential pondering illuminates Tennyson's interest in the self's place in the ever-changing universe. It explores Tennyson's approach to memory and identity, showing how his poetic personas traverse the complex relationship between past and present identities. We conclude with Tennyson's poetics of change, where the self transforms and renews in the face of life's obstacles and uncertainties. This article illuminates Tennyson's literary language and influences on Victorian selfhood through attentive readings and critical analysis. It shows how Tennyson's verses reflect the Victorian self's complexity, inconsistencies, and existential aspirations; they resonate beyond time and invite readers to consider their identities in the ever-changing tapestry of human experience.