'The Beggar Maid' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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The Beggar Maid
Her arms across her breast she laid;
She was more fair than words can say;
Barefooted came the beggar maid
Before the king Cophetua.
In robe and crown the king stept down,
To meet and greet her on her way;
‘It is no wonder,’ said the lords,
‘She is more beautiful than day.’
As shines the moon in clouded skies,
She in her poor attire was seen;
One praised her ankles, one her eyes,
One her dark hair and lovesome mien.
So sweet a face, such angel grace,
In all that land had never been.
Cophetua sware a royal oath:
‘This beggar maid shall be my queen!’
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Beggar Maid: A Masterpiece of Tennyson's Poetry
Alfred, Lord Tennyson is one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era. His poetry reflects the social, political, and cultural aspects of his time. Tennyson's "The Beggar Maid" is a poem that delves into the themes of social class, love, and sacrifice. In this literary criticism, we will explore the poem's structure, language, and themes to understand the poem's meaning and significance.
Structure
At first glance, the structure of the poem seems simple. It is a narrative poem consisting of ten stanzas with four lines each. However, upon closer inspection, we see that each stanza follows a specific rhyme scheme (ABAB). This rhyme scheme adds a musical quality to the poem and gives it a sense of unity. Additionally, the poem's meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line consists of four iambs. This creates a steady rhythm throughout the poem, adding to its musicality.
The poem contains ten stanzas, with each stanza describing a different scene. The scenes are connected, as they all focus on the same two characters; the Earl and the Beggar Maid. The poem begins with the Earl's introduction and follows his journey as he falls in love with the Beggar Maid. The final stanza is a reflection on their love and the sacrifices they made for it.
Language
Tennyson's language in "The Beggar Maid" is simple yet elegant. He employs a range of poetic devices, such as similes, imagery, and personification, to bring the poem to life. For example, in the first stanza, Tennyson uses a simile to describe the Earl's appearance, "He rode between the barley-sheaves, / The sun came dazzling thro' the leaves, / And flamed upon the brazen greaves / Of bold Sir Lancelot." This simile compares the Earl's armor to that of Sir Lancelot, a legendary knight, emphasizing the Earl's nobility and chivalry.
Tennyson also uses imagery to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. For example, in the second stanza, he writes, "And like a downward smoke, the slender stream / Along the cliff to fall and pause and fall did seem." This imagery of the stream falling and pausing creates a sense of movement and adds to the poem's overall musicality.
Themes
The poem's themes revolve around social class, love, and sacrifice. The Earl and the Beggar Maid come from vastly different social classes. The Earl is nobility, while the Beggar Maid is a commoner. Tennyson explores the complexities of their relationship, as they navigate their different social statuses. The Earl's love for the Beggar Maid is seen as scandalous, as he risks his social standing by pursuing her.
Love is another prominent theme in the poem. The Earl's love for the Beggar Maid is depicted as pure and selfless. He is willing to risk everything, including his social status, for her. The Beggar Maid, in turn, is hesitant to accept his love, as she knows that their relationship is unlikely to be accepted by society.
Sacrifice is also explored in the poem. Both the Earl and the Beggar Maid make sacrifices for their love. The Earl gives up his social status and reputation, while the Beggar Maid gives up her independence and freedom. The final stanza reflects on their sacrifices and their love, "And Love, low-laughing, said, 'All power is I; // I am Love's majesty, and throned high: // Look o'er thy realm, and call thyself the King // Of all the qualities that move and stir this mortal frame: // Love only knows them all and Love alone; // The Universal Voice of human woe // Smells sweetly in his ear, and Love has won // His immortality." This stanza emphasizes the power of love and its ability to transcend social barriers.
Interpretation
Tennyson's "The Beggar Maid" is a poem that explores the complexities of love and social class. The Earl and the Beggar Maid's relationship is seen as scandalous, as they come from vastly different social classes. However, their love for each other is depicted as pure and selfless.
The poem's final stanza reflects on their sacrifices and their love. Love is seen as a powerful force that can transcend social barriers. The Earl and the Beggar Maid's sacrifices for each other demonstrate the power of love and its ability to overcome societal norms.
Overall, Tennyson's "The Beggar Maid" is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry. Its structure, language, and themes all work together to create a powerful and moving poem. It is a testament to Tennyson's skill as a poet and his ability to portray the complexities of love and social class.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Beggar Maid by Alfred, Lord Tennyson is a classic poem that tells the story of a young woman who is forced to live a life of poverty and hardship. The poem is a powerful commentary on the social and economic inequalities of Victorian England, and it is a testament to Tennyson's skill as a poet that he is able to convey such complex themes in such a simple and elegant manner.
The poem begins with a description of the beggar maid herself. She is a young woman who is dressed in rags and is begging for money on the streets. Despite her poverty, however, she is described as being beautiful and graceful, with a "face so fair" that it "might have graced a queen". This contrast between her outward appearance and her social status is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and it serves to highlight the unfairness of the society in which she lives.
As the poem progresses, we learn more about the beggar maid's life. She is forced to live in squalor, with no home or family to call her own. She is constantly hungry and cold, and she is forced to rely on the kindness of strangers in order to survive. Despite all of this, however, she remains strong and resilient, and she is determined to make the best of her situation.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Tennyson portrays the beggar maid's resilience and determination. Despite the many hardships that she faces, she never gives up hope, and she never loses her sense of dignity and self-respect. This is perhaps best exemplified in the following lines:
"She looked so lovely, as she sway'd The rein with dainty finger-tips, A man had given all other bliss, And all his worldly wealth for this, To waste his whole heart in one kiss Upon her perfect lips."
These lines are particularly powerful because they show that even in the midst of her poverty and hardship, the beggar maid is still able to inspire love and admiration in those around her. This is a testament to her inner strength and resilience, and it is a powerful reminder that even the most disadvantaged members of society are still capable of greatness.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of social and economic inequality. The beggar maid is a symbol of the many people in Victorian England who were forced to live in poverty and squalor, while the wealthy and privileged members of society lived lives of luxury and comfort. Tennyson is clearly critical of this state of affairs, and he uses the beggar maid as a way of highlighting the injustices of the system.
Overall, The Beggar Maid is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the human condition in a profound and meaningful way. It is a testament to Tennyson's skill as a poet that he is able to convey such complex themes in such a simple and elegant manner, and it is a reminder that even the most disadvantaged members of society are still capable of greatness.
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