Descriptive writing using Lord Tennyson's 'The Lady of Shalott' as stimulus | English

Starter quiz

Starting with the first section, put the four parts of Tennyson's 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire') in chronological order.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  The isle of Shalott is described.
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  The nature of the curse is described.
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  The Lady of Shalott gets up from her loom to see Sir Lancelot.
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  The Lady of Shalott sails to Camelot, knowing she will die before she arrives.
Match each of these characters, all important to 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), to what we find out about them.
- The Lady of Shalott
  
  ⇔
  
  a cursed artist ✓
- Sir Lancelot
  
  ⇔
  
  a brave knight ✓
- the reaper
  
  ⇔
  
  someone who hears the Lady of Shalott singing ✓
- Abbots, knights, women, young boys
  
  ⇔
  
  people the Lady of Shalott sees in the mirror ✓
In 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), how does the Lady of Shalott arrive in Camelot?
- with Sir Lancelot
- on horseback
- walking
- sailing ✓
- swimming
Match each of these terms, important to the analysis of 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), to their definitions.
- pathetic fallacy
  
  ⇔
  
  when the weather reflects the mood of a character or event ✓
- symbolism
  
  ⇔
  
  when writers use something tangible to represent an intangible idea ✓
- metaphor
  
  ⇔
  
  a method of comparison when you say one thing is another ✓
In 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), what is the Lady of Shalott wearing as she sails to Camelot?
- a diamond brooch ✓
- her tapestry
- Sir Lancelot's plumed (feathered) helmet
- a crown of pearls ✓
- a white dress ✓
In 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), what does the parchment (paper) say about the Lady of Shalott? It is found on her body at the very end of the poem.
- that she is in love with Sir Lancelot
- that people shouldn't fear her ✓
- that the web she wove was strange ✓
- that she is the Lady of Shalott ✓
- that she doesn’t regret leaving her loom

Exit quiz

In ‘The Lady of Shalott’ ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire’), what type of tree is the Lady of Shalott's boat under?
- oak
- unknown
- birch
- willow ✓
- maple
In 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), what is on the Lady of Shalott's head as she sails towards Camelot?
- Sir Lancelot's plumed (feathered) helmet
- a hat
- a crown of pearls ✓
- a crown of diamonds
- branches from the willow tree
In 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), what does the Lady of Shalott do as she sails towards Camelot?
- calls for Sir Lancelot
- weaves
- weeps
- sings ✓
- sleeps
In 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), what is the weather like as the Lady of Shalott sails towards Camelot?
- beautiful – to reflect the beauty of the Lady of Shalott
- there is thunder and lightening – to reflect the curse
- rainy and windy – to reflect the tragedy of the Lady of Shalott's death ✓
- the weather is not described; the focus is on the Lady of Shalott's outfit
- snowy – to match the white dress and crown of pearls the Lady of Shalott wears
In 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), why might we describe the mood of Part 4 of the poem as sombre?
- because the Lady of Shalott and Sir Lancelot are going to be reunited
- because the curse is over, and the Lady of Shalott is finally free
- because the Lady of Shalott is about the die ✓
- because we are finally going to get a description of Camelot
- because the Lady of Shalott can no longer weave her web
Match each stanza from Part 4 of 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire') to its focus.
- Part 4, Stanza 1
  
  ⇔
  
  the wild weather is described ✓
- Part 4, Stanza 2
  
  ⇔
  
  the Lady of Shalott's outfit is described ✓
- Part 4, Stanza 3
  
  ⇔
  
  the Lady of Shalott starts sailing to Camelot ✓
- Part 4, Stanza 4
  
  ⇔
  
  the Lady of Shalott starts singing her deathsong ✓
- Part 4, Stanza 5
  
  ⇔
  
  the Lady of Shalott dies ✓
- Part 4, Stanzas 6-7
  
  ⇔
  
  people from Camelot come to see the Lady of Shalott’s body ✓

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Symbolism is when writers use something tangible to represent an intangible idea.
Tennyson’s use of symbols is one way he creates a sombre atmosphere, particularly in Part 4 of ‘The Lady of Shalott’.
Key symbols in ‘The Lady of Shalott’ include a willow tree to symbolise grief, and a pearl to symbolise perfection.
Tennyson also relies on pathetic fallacy to create a sombre and dramatic atmosphere in Part 4 of the poem.
You can employ pathetic fallacy and symbolism in your own writing to create a distinctive atmosphere.

Common misconception

Writers can use any object to symbolise any idea.

Writers can get their messages across via inventive and innovative methods. However, there are some key symbols in literature which have a generally accepted meaning. For example, a rose to symbolise love, or a pearl to symbolise perfection.

Keywords

Atmospheric - creating a powerful and identifiable mood.
Symbolism - when writers use something to represent intangible ideas; for example, a rose as a symbol for love.
Pathetic fallacy - in literature, when the weather reflects the mood.
Swan song - a metaphor for a final act before death; this phrase comes from an ancient belief that swans sing a beautiful song before they die.
Sombre - serious, sad.