The Lotos Eater by Alfred Tennyson - Explanation
The poem "The Lotos Eater" is penned by Alfred Tennyson, a Victorian-era poet. It is based on the journey of Roman Mythological hero Ulysses and his crew mariners. His other poem "Ulysses" also draws his long journey after the war of Troy. The poem was inspired by his visit to a mountainous region in Spain along with his close friend Arthur Hallam.
Stanza 1
Ulysses along with his Mariners are on his legendary voyage. He points towards the land and exhibits some more courage till they reach the land, the rising wave would help them to reach the shore. In the afternoon they reach the island. The land has an unusual environment, dullness and weakness are fused in the air. One feels tired when breathing the air and subject to the dreamy state. The full moon stands above the valley. The narrow stream falling from the cliff appears like a smoke coming downward slowly.
Stanza 2
There are many streams flowing in the land that's why the poet calls it "A land of streams!". The lawn is covered with the droplets of the stream and it appears like "a slumbrous(drowsy) sheet of foam" rolls on the ground. They can see the "shining (because of sunlight)" river flowing towards the sea. In the inner land of the island, three mountain peaks are visible which are covered by snow, its pinnacles' snow melt due to the sun and the droplets cause the light raining. The small trees and bushes which are dwarfed by the "shadowy pine"
Stanza 3
The "charmed" sun lingers in the west appear red. The valley separates the mountains, yellow fields are surrounded by palm trees and irregular valleys and ginger grown in meadows. The poet finds everything there same as another, lazy afternoons remain all time, the environment is comfortable and pleasant. Suddenly they notice some faces around the keel of their ship, they are the Lotos-eaters who have dark faces but appearing pale due to the "rosy flame" of the sun. They are the natives of the island which is enchanted.
Stanza 4
The Lotos-eater gave them a fruit borne on the branches of an enchanted plant, those who consume that fruit, the "gushing" of the wave persuade them to live, mourn and enjoy on this Foreign land. If one Mariner speaks to his companion, the uttered words from his mouth are vague as spoken by a dead person. One who is fully awake seems to be in deep sleep. Complete silence prevails there, only their heartbeats are audible.
Stanza 5
The Mariners sat on the yellow sand beach, the weather is unusual as sun and moon present at the same time because the sun never leaves it. They dream of their native land of Ithaca and it is pleasant to them to dream about their children, wife and their slaves (slaves were also part of their family then). But they perceive laziness in everything, sea, oars, fields and then one of them proclaims that they wouldn't return to their own land, others approve it too and give the reason that that doesn't matter, they are far from their home and would not roam from then and live on the enchanted island.
Stanza 1
Ulysses along with his Mariners are on his legendary voyage. He points towards the land and exhibits some more courage till they reach the land, the rising wave would help them to reach the shore. In the afternoon they reach the island. The land has an unusual environment, dullness and weakness are fused in the air. One feels tired when breathing the air and subject to the dreamy state. The full moon stands above the valley. The narrow stream falling from the cliff appears like a smoke coming downward slowly.
Stanza 2
There are many streams flowing in the land that's why the poet calls it "A land of streams!". The lawn is covered with the droplets of the stream and it appears like "a slumbrous(drowsy) sheet of foam" rolls on the ground. They can see the "shining (because of sunlight)" river flowing towards the sea. In the inner land of the island, three mountain peaks are visible which are covered by snow, its pinnacles' snow melt due to the sun and the droplets cause the light raining. The small trees and bushes which are dwarfed by the "shadowy pine"
Stanza 3
The "charmed" sun lingers in the west appear red. The valley separates the mountains, yellow fields are surrounded by palm trees and irregular valleys and ginger grown in meadows. The poet finds everything there same as another, lazy afternoons remain all time, the environment is comfortable and pleasant. Suddenly they notice some faces around the keel of their ship, they are the Lotos-eaters who have dark faces but appearing pale due to the "rosy flame" of the sun. They are the natives of the island which is enchanted.
Stanza 4
The Lotos-eater gave them a fruit borne on the branches of an enchanted plant, those who consume that fruit, the "gushing" of the wave persuade them to live, mourn and enjoy on this Foreign land. If one Mariner speaks to his companion, the uttered words from his mouth are vague as spoken by a dead person. One who is fully awake seems to be in deep sleep. Complete silence prevails there, only their heartbeats are audible.
Stanza 5
The Mariners sat on the yellow sand beach, the weather is unusual as sun and moon present at the same time because the sun never leaves it. They dream of their native land of Ithaca and it is pleasant to them to dream about their children, wife and their slaves (slaves were also part of their family then). But they perceive laziness in everything, sea, oars, fields and then one of them proclaims that they wouldn't return to their own land, others approve it too and give the reason that that doesn't matter, they are far from their home and would not roam from then and live on the enchanted island.