Throughout British literature poetry is used to express. I'm going to compare three poems that refer back to classic tales for women, each from a different period of British literature. How do these poems reflect women?
In the Romantic Period, "Ode to Psyche" by John Keats refers to the mythological story of Psyche, a beautiful woman whom Cupid falls in love with and becomes a goddess. The narrator of the story is enamored by Psyche and goes into great detail of her beauty, "loveliest vision," "my own eyes inspired," thy voice, thy lute," etc.
In the Victorian Period, "The Lady of Shelott" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson refers back to the medieval tale of King Arthur and Lancelot. Lady Shelott is cursed to weave in a tower the reflection of what she sees in a mirror of what's behind her. She sees Lancelot and sacrifices her life to escape the tower and be with him. The narrator of this poem uses colorful words, emphasising description, "four grey walls, and four grey towers," "page in crimson clad," "hung in the golden Galaxy," etc.
In the Modernist Period, "Leda the Swan" by William Butler Yates refers to the mythological story of Zeus coming to Leda as a Swam. Leda was the most beautiful woman, so of course Zeus had to come rape her. The child becomes Helen of Troy. The poem focuses on specific body parts often, "her thighs caressed," "her nape caught in his bill," "terrified vague fingers," etc.
In all three of these poems the women appear to be the victims of something due to their beauty as a woman, their misfortune in love, or both. Psyche must work for Cupids love, yet the author would love to keep her. Lady Shelott must not look at the town or die. She chooses to die for Lancelot, who loves someone else. Leda is rapes by a swan, yet the poem makes it sound as if she almost allows it in some ways. All three of these women almost brought their misfortunes upon themselves. It appears the woman of these three poems make poor choices in respect to love.
Also the language of the poems reflect something as well. "Ode to Psyche" used beautiful, emotional words. This is normal for the Romantic period and its idealistic, imaginative ways. "The Lady of Shelott" is detailed and shows a woman's relation to her duty, common in the Victorian period. "Leda and the Swan" is rather graphic and realistic. This reflects the Modernists broken and harsh views.
