Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Please explain the following lines from "The Lady of Shalott."All in the blue unclouded weather Thick-jewell'd shone the saddle-leather, The helmet...

The lines you have quoted come from Part III of this
tremendous poem, and feature the introduction of the bright and vibrant Sir Lancelot and
the way that he literally bursts in to the world of shadows that dominates the life of
the Lady of Shalott. What is important to focus on is the way that Sir Lancelot is
presented. It is the sight of him in her mirror that makes the Lady break the curse and
look out of her window, so he has to be impressive enough to make her want to bring down
the curse upon herself. In these lines, we can see that he certainly is. Note the way
that he is associated with fire and bright light, drawing attention to him and making
him an irresistible sight. We are told that the saddle "shone" as if it was
"Thick-jeweled," clearly making it attractive, and the helment and the feather "Burned
like one burning flame together." What is interesting abotu these images is that they
simultaneously make Sir Lancelot an attractive, oustanding figure but also associate him
with the metaphor of "burning" to damage and destruction. However innocently, Sir
Lancelot is the sight that results in the death of the Lady of
Shalott.

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