The Lady of Shalott - Lesson 5 - Use of Contrast PowerPoint

In the fifth lesson of a series exploring Alfred Lord Tennyson's "The Lady of Shalott," students delve into the use of contrast to understand character presentation in the poem. The lesson's objective is to read and analyse part three of the poem, focusing on the depiction of Sir Lancelot and the literary technique of contrast. A drama activity sets the scene, prompting students to work in groups to create a backstory for the Lady of Shalott, considering the curse that confines her to her tower. They are encouraged to draw inspiration from Arthurian legends and to include elements such as magic and wizards in their story, which they will then perform as a short piece of drama. Characters like King Arthur, Merlin, and a witch may feature alongside settings such as a castle or a dark wood.

Further activities involve reading and discussing part three of the poem, paying special attention to Sir Lancelot as he rides by the island of Shalott. Students are asked to note the descriptive words and phrases used by Tennyson to portray Lancelot, such as "dazzling," "flamed," "bold," and "glittered," which paint a picture of a glamorous and exciting knight. The lesson then guides students to consider the stark contrast between the vibrant life of Sir Lancelot and the dull existence of the Lady of Shalott. They are tasked with completing a worksheet to explore this contrast further, discussing their findings with classmates. The session concludes with a series of questions about part three of the poem, encouraging students to answer in full sentences and reflect on the actions and fates of the characters, as well as to create a comic strip summarising the story so far.