“From The Princess: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” by Lord Alfred Tennyson

Introduction: “From The Princess: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” by Lord Alfred Tennyson

“From The Princess: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” by Lord Alfred Tennyson was first published in 1847 as part of a longer narrative poem titled The Princess: A Medley. This particular excerpt, though not a traditional sonnet due to its lack of rhyme scheme, showcases Tennyson’s mastery of imagery and metaphor. He paints a vivid picture of a tranquil night using natural elements like sleeping flowers and fireflies, alluding to a dawning passion between the speaker and his beloved.

Text: “From The Princess: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” by Lord Alfred Tennyson

Annotations: “From The Princess: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” by Lord Alfred Tennyson

Line	Annotation
1	“Now sleeps the crimson petal, now the white;” The opening line creates a sense of calm and tranquility, indicating the passing of time as petals from flowers rest.
2	“Nor waves the cypress in the palace walk;” The absence of movement in the cypress tree signifies stillness and quietness in the palace surroundings.
3	“Nor winks the gold fin in the porphyry font.” The goldfish (gold fin) typically seen swimming in a porphyry font is also motionless, adding to the scene’s serene atmosphere.
4	“The firefly wakens; waken thou with me.” In contrast to the previous lines, the firefly awakens, suggesting a call to action or a plea for companionship and shared awakening.
5	“Now droops the milk-white peacock like a ghost,” The imagery of the peacock drooping like a ghost conveys a sense of sadness or desolation, possibly mirroring the speaker’s emotions.
6	“And like a ghost she glimmers on to me.” The comparison of the peacock to a ghost continues, emphasizing its ethereal, almost otherworldly presence.
7	“Now lies the Earth all Danaë to the stars,” This line references Danaë, a figure from Greek mythology, suggesting a sense of openness and vulnerability akin to Danaë’s exposure.
8	“And all thy heart lies open unto me.” The speaker suggests a deep emotional connection, where the beloved’s heart is metaphorically laid bare, fully known and understood.
9	“Now slides the silent meteor on, and leaves A shining furrow, as thy thoughts in me.” The image of a meteor leaving a shining trail in the sky parallels the impression left by the beloved’s thoughts in the speaker’s mind.
10	“Now folds the lily all her sweetness up,” Just as the lily closes its petals, the sweetness and beauty of a moment or experience come to an end or are withdrawn.
11	“And slips into the bosom of the lake.” The imagery suggests a gentle, serene transition as the lily’s beauty merges with the tranquility of the lake.
12	“So fold thyself, my dearest, thou, and slip Into my bosom and be lost in me.” The speaker invites the beloved to surrender and become enveloped in their love, echoing the closing of the lily and a sense of unity.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “From The Princess: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” by Lord Alfred Tennyson

Device	Example	Explanation
1. Metaphor	“Now sleeps the crimson petal”	Comparing the petal to a person sleeping, suggesting a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
2. Personification	“Nor waves the cypress in the palace walk”	Attributing human-like action to a plant, creating a sense of stillness and quiet.
3. Alliteration	” The firefly wakens; waken thou with me”	Repeating the “w” sound for a musical effect, adding to the poem’s rhythm and flow.
4. Enjambment	“The firefly wakens; waken thou with me”	Carrying a sentence or phrase over to the next line without punctuation, creating a sense of urgency and continuity.
5. Simile	“Now droops the milk-white peacock like a ghost”	Comparing two things using “like” or “as”, creating a vivid and haunting image.
6. Imagery	“And like a ghost she glimmers on to me”	Creating a vivid sensory experience for the reader, evoking a sense of eerie beauty.
7. Allusion	“Now lies the Earth all Danaë to the stars”	Referencing the mythological figure Danaë, who was imprisoned in a tower, suggesting a sense of confinement and longing.
8. Symbolism	“And all thy heart lies open unto me”	Using the heart to represent emotions and vulnerability, suggesting a deep connection between the speaker and the beloved.
9. Hyperbole	“Now slides the silent meteor on, and leaves / A shining furrow, as thy thoughts in me”	Exaggerating the impact of the beloved’s thoughts, suggesting a profound and lasting effect.
10. Personification	“And slips into the bosom of the lake”	Attributing human-like action to an object or idea, creating a sense of gentle and peaceful movement.
11. Repetition	“Now” (throughout the poem)	Repeating a word or phrase for emphasis and unity, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity.
12. Rhyme	“me” and “be”	Using similar sounds in words to create a musical effect, adding to the poem’s rhythm and flow.
13. Assonance	“white” and “night”	Repeating vowel sounds for a musical effect, creating a sense of harmony and continuity.
14. Onomatopoeia	“winks”	Using a word that imitates the sound of a gentle movement, creating a vivid sensory experience.
15. Anaphora	“Now” (throughout the poem)	Repeating a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity.
16. Epistrophe	“me” (throughout the poem)	Repeating a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses, creating a sense of unity and emphasis.
17. Caesura	Throughout the poem	Using pauses or breaks within a line for effect, creating a sense of drama and emphasis.
18. Imagery	Throughout the poem	Creating vivid sensory experiences for the reader, evoking a range of emotions and ideas.
19. Symbolic Language	Throughout the poem	Using objects or colors to represent abstract ideas, creating a rich and layered meaning.
20. Envelope Structure	“Now sleeps the crimson petal… / So fold thyself, my dearest, thou, and slip / Into my bosom and be lost in me”	Using a structural device where the poem begins and ends with a similar image or idea, creating a sense of unity and closure.

Themes: “From The Princess: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” by Lord Alfred Tennyson

1. Transience of Beauty and Time: Tennyson explores the fleeting nature of beauty and the passage of time. The imagery of petals sleeping and the closing of the lily symbolize the ephemeral nature of beauty and experiences. For example, in the lines “Now sleeps the crimson petal, now the white; / Now folds the lily all her sweetness up,” the poet evokes a sense of transience as natural elements transition and withdraw their beauty.
2. Connection and Intimacy: The poem delves into themes of emotional connection and intimacy between individuals. Lines such as “And all thy heart lies open unto me” and “So fold thyself, my dearest, thou, and slip / Into my bosom and be lost in me” express a deep desire for closeness and unity. Through these lines, Tennyson explores the longing for emotional intimacy and the desire to be fully known and understood by another.
3. Nature’s Symbolism: Nature serves as a rich source of symbolism throughout the poem, reflecting the emotions and states of mind of the speaker. The imagery of the peacock, the lily, and the meteor contribute to the overall mood and themes of the poem. For instance, the peacock drooping “like a ghost” and the lily folding its petals suggest melancholy and withdrawal, while the silent meteor leaving a shining trail symbolizes the lingering impact of thoughts and emotions.
4. Sensory Experience and Romanticism: Tennyson employs vivid sensory imagery to evoke a romantic and dreamlike atmosphere. The description of the palace walk, the porphyry font, and the Earth lying “all Danaë to the stars” immerses the reader in the speaker’s world. Through sensory details, the poem evokes a sense of enchantment and invites readers to experience the beauty and emotion conveyed within the verses.

Critical Questions about “From The Princess: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” by Lord Alfred Tennyson

• Question 1: How does Tennyson use imagery and symbolism to create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability in the poem, and what effect does this have on the reader’s experience?
• Tennyson’s use of imagery and symbolism in the poem creates a dreamy and intimate atmosphere, drawing the reader into a private world of emotions. For example, the “crimson petal” and “milk-white peacock” (lines 1 and 5) evoke a sense of delicate beauty, while the “porphyry font” and “bosom of the lake” (lines 3 and 12) suggest a sense of containment and protection. The repetition of “now” throughout the poem also creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, drawing the reader into the speaker’s emotional state. This intimacy and vulnerability create a sense of connection with the speaker, allowing the reader to experience the emotions of the poem more deeply.
• Question 2: How does the poem’s use of metaphor and personification contribute to its exploration of the relationship between the speaker and the beloved, and what insights does this offer into the nature of love and desire?
• The poem’s use of metaphor and personification creates a sense of fluid boundaries between the speaker, the beloved, and the natural world. For example, the comparison of the beloved to a “ghost” (line 5) and the speaker’s heart to an “open” and vulnerable space (line 8) blurs the lines between self and other. Similarly, the personification of the “firefly” and “meteor” (lines 4 and 9) creates a sense of agency and action in the natural world, mirroring the speaker’s own desires and emotions. This exploration of the relationship between the speaker and the beloved offers insights into the nature of love and desire as a fluid and dynamic force that transcends boundaries and definitions.
• Question 3: How does the poem’s use of repetition and rhyme contribute to its musicality and overall effect, and what role does this play in conveying the speaker’s emotions and ideas?
• The poem’s use of repetition and rhyme creates a musical quality that enhances the emotional impact of the speaker’s words. The repetition of “now” throughout the poem creates a sense of urgency and emphasis, while the rhyme scheme adds a sense of structure and containment. The use of assonance and consonance, such as in “white” and “night” (lines 5 and 6), adds a further layer of musicality, creating a sense of harmony and continuity. This musicality plays a crucial role in conveying the speaker’s emotions and ideas, creating a sense of flow and continuity that draws the reader into the poem’s world.
• Question 4: How does the poem’s exploration of the relationship between the speaker and the beloved reflect and challenge societal norms and expectations around love and relationships, and what implications does this have for our understanding of gender and sexuality?
• The poem’s exploration of the relationship between the speaker and the beloved challenges societal norms and expectations around love and relationships by presenting a vision of love as a fluid and dynamic force that transcends boundaries and definitions. The speaker’s use of imagery and metaphor to describe the beloved, as well as the repetition of “now” and the emphasis on intimacy and vulnerability, creates a sense of urgency and immediacy that challenges traditional notions of romantic love. This challenge to societal norms has implications for our understanding of gender and sexuality, offering a vision of love and relationships that is more inclusive and expansive than traditional binary models.

Literary Theories and “From The Princess: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” by Lord Alfred Tennyson

Literary Theory	Explanation	Examples from the Poem
New Criticism	New Criticism focuses on close reading of the text itself, examining its formal elements and how they contribute to meaning.	Analyzing the imagery, symbolism, and language used in the poem to uncover its deeper meanings.
		For example, exploring the symbolism of the “crimson petal” and the “white” petal as representations of beauty and time.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Psychoanalytic theory explores the unconscious mind and hidden desires of the characters, often through symbolism and metaphor.	Examining the speaker’s longing for intimacy and connection as expressed through imagery and metaphor.
		For instance, the invitation for the beloved to “slip / Into my bosom and be lost in me” may reflect unconscious desires for unity and emotional closeness.
Feminist Theory	Feminist theory analyzes literature through the lens of gender dynamics, power structures, and representations of women.	Examining how gender roles and expectations influence the relationships depicted in the poem.
		For example, exploring the portrayal of the female figure in the poem and how her agency or lack thereof is represented.
Ecocriticism	Ecocriticism explores the relationship between literature and the environment, examining how nature is depicted and its symbolic significance.	Analyzing the role of nature imagery in conveying themes of transience, beauty, and interconnectedness.
		For instance, examining how the imagery of the lily and the Earth reflects broader ecological themes of growth, decay, and renewal.
Reader-Response	Reader-response theory focuses on the reader’s interpretation and response to a text, considering how individual experiences shape meaning.	Exploring how readers personally connect with the themes and emotions expressed in the poem.
		For example, reflecting on how the poem evokes different emotions or memories for different readers based on their own experiences and perspectives.

Literary Works Similar to “From The Princess: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” by Lord Alfred Tennyson

1. “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns: This poem explores themes of love and the passage of time, similar to Tennyson’s exploration of beauty and transience. Burns uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the depth of his emotions.
2. “To Autumn” by John Keats: Keats’s poem celebrates the beauty of nature and the changing seasons, much like Tennyson’s focus on natural imagery. Both poets use sensory language to evoke a sense of atmosphere and mood.
3. “She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron: This poem reflects on the beauty of a woman, much like Tennyson’s exploration of beauty in nature. Byron’s poem also emphasizes themes of light and darkness, which resonate with Tennyson’s use of imagery.
4. “Ode on Melancholy” by John Keats: Keats’s ode explores the bittersweet nature of human experience, similar to Tennyson’s reflection on the transient nature of beauty. Both poets delve into the complexities of emotion and the fleetingness of joy.
5. “A Dream Within a Dream” by Edgar Allan Poe: Poe’s poem grapples with the elusive nature of reality and perception, echoing Tennyson’s exploration of themes like transience and the intangible nature of beauty. Both poets employ evocative language and imagery to convey deeper philosophical ideas.

Suggested Readings: “From The Princess: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” by Lord Alfred Tennyson

1. Abrams, M. H. The Mirror and the Lamp: Romantic Theory and the Critical Tradition. Oxford University Press, 1971.
2. Cook, Eleanor. “Tennyson’s Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal.” The Explicator, vol. 58, no. 2, 2000, pp. 78-81.
3. Greenblatt, Stephen, et al. The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 10th ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2018.
4. Halliday, F. E. A Shakespeare Companion, 1564-1964. Penguin Books, 1964.
5. Lougy, Robert E. “The Sounds and Silence of Madness: Language as Theme in Tennyson’s ‘Maud.’” Victorian Poetry, vol. 22, no. 4, 1984, pp. 407–26. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40003015. Accessed 8 May 2024.
6. Mill, John Stuart. Three Essays on Religion. Oxford University Press, 1975.
7. Tennyson, Alfred. “From The Princess: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal.” The Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45382/now-sleeps-the-crimson-petal. Accessed 8 May 2024.

Representative Quotations “From The Princess: Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” by Lord Alfred Tennyson

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Concept
“Now sleeps the crimson petal, now the white;”	The opening line sets a tranquil scene, describing the stillness of nature as petals from flowers rest, indicating the passage of time.	New Criticism: Close examination of the poem’s formal elements, such as imagery and structure, to uncover deeper meanings within the text.
“Nor winks the gold fin in the porphyry font.”	The absence of movement in the goldfish emphasizes the serene atmosphere, contributing to the sense of stillness and quietness in the surroundings.	Ecocriticism: Analysis of how nature imagery reflects broader ecological themes, such as the interconnectedness between human emotions and the natural world.
“And all thy heart lies open unto me.”	The speaker expresses a deep emotional connection with the beloved, suggesting a sense of intimacy and vulnerability in their relationship.	Psychoanalytic Theory: Exploration of unconscious desires and emotions expressed through symbolism and metaphor, revealing hidden aspects of the psyche.
“Now slides the silent meteor on, and leaves	The imagery of the silent meteor leaving a shining furrow parallels the impression left by the beloved’s thoughts in the speaker’s mind.	Reader-Response Theory: Consideration of how individual readers personally connect with the poem’s themes and emotions based on their own experiences and perspectives.
“So fold thyself, my dearest, thou, and slip	The speaker invites the beloved to surrender and become enveloped in their love, echoing the closing of the lily and a sense of unity.	Feminist Theory: Examination of gender dynamics and representations of women in literature, considering the agency or lack thereof portrayed in the poem.