The Lady of Shalott Themes
Isolation
Whatever else the Lady of Shalott has going on, she's definitely alone. We don't know who shut her away in the castle or why, but it doesn't seem fair. We can tell that she's fed up with it; in fac...
Man and the Natural World
"The Lady of Shalott" is stuffed with references to the natural world. Tennyson loops back again and again to the fields and trees and flowers that surround the island of Shalott. In fact, you migh...
Art and Culture
Although she's alone, and not too happy about it, the Lady of Shalott does have two things to keep her busy. She weaves and she sings. Even if no one sees her work, she's definitely an artist. A lo...
The Supernatural
The mysterious curse on the Lady of Shalott is a big part of the plot. It rules her life and causes her death. This little thread of black magic helps give "The Lady of Shalott" its spooky, sad atm...
Love
This is a tricky one, since no one in "The Lady of Shalott" admits to being in love. Still, the idea of love, even unspoken love, is so crucial to this entire plot. It's a really old story. Lancelo...