The Lady of Shalott - Lesson 2 - Setting Worksheet

In an English teaching resource focused on setting, students are invited to explore the opening stanzas of Tennyson's "The Lady of Shalott." The worksheet prompts pupils to delve into the poem's vivid imagery that paints the picture of the Lady's surroundings. The task begins with reading the first two stanzas, where students are encouraged to identify and highlight the language Tennyson uses to bring the Lady's abode to life. The description starts with a scenic portrayal of the landscape, with fields of barley and rye stretching to meet the sky and a road that leads travelers to the legendary Camelot. The poem captures the dynamic nature of the setting, from the bustling movement of people to the serene blowing of lilies around the island of Shalott, nestled in the river.

The second stanza continues to weave a tapestry of the setting with sensory details, describing willows that turn white and aspens that tremble, creating an atmosphere of gentle motion and subtle unease. Tennyson's use of language evokes the feeling of a slight chill as little breezes stir the air and the river's current flows eternally towards Camelot. The stanza concludes with a somber and mysterious image of the Lady's residence: four grey walls and towers overlooking a floral space, encapsulating the Lady of Shalott in a silent and secluded isle. Through this exercise, students are guided to appreciate the use of descriptive language in establishing the mood and setting of a literary piece.