Besides captivating readers through the retelling of past events, Tennyson used his poetry to consider social issues of the Victorian era. However, unlike his rival Elizabeth Barrett Browning, he never outright proclaimed his stance. Alternatively, Tennyson’s poems rely on an active participation from the reader to provide them with meaning. Instead of telling the reader what to believe, Tennyson’s mission was to encourage discussion about Victorian social issues. Similarly, in his poem, The Lotus Eaters, Tennyson explores ideas about the unabashed use of opium, the Victorian obsession with progress, and industrial advancement.
Opium maintained an unavoidable presence in Victorian society. As prevalent as Aspirin today, opium was the pain killer of choice for England in the 19th century. It was prescribed by doctors and given to children without any pretense of danger (Platizky). Because of its widespread use, Tennyson’s life was also ravaged by its ill effects. His firsthand experience came in the form of his brother, Charles, whose addiction eventually drove Charles’s wife to a nervous breakdown (Platizky). Tennyson’s life was also beleaguered with rumors of him using opium, however, he was ardently against it. His …show more content…
Though lotus land appears to be a paradise, Tennyson suggests that the mariners are simply experiencing an illusion. This idea would have been paralleled in his time; there was an illusion of safety surrounding opium use. Doctors readily prescribed them against common ailments, it was used far and wide with little consideration for health ramifications. Because of this misinformation, addiction led to unforeseen impacts in the Victorians lives. Though the mariners believe lotus land to be the cure for the suffering they have endured aboard Odysseus’s ship, and the ill effects of this decision are
Opium maintained an unavoidable presence in Victorian society. As prevalent as Aspirin today, opium was the pain killer of choice for England in the 19th century. It was prescribed by doctors and given to children without any pretense of danger (Platizky). Because of its widespread use, Tennyson’s life was also ravaged by its ill effects. His firsthand experience came in the form of his brother, Charles, whose addiction eventually drove Charles’s wife to a nervous breakdown (Platizky). Tennyson’s life was also beleaguered with rumors of him using opium, however, he was ardently against it. His …show more content…
Though lotus land appears to be a paradise, Tennyson suggests that the mariners are simply experiencing an illusion. This idea would have been paralleled in his time; there was an illusion of safety surrounding opium use. Doctors readily prescribed them against common ailments, it was used far and wide with little consideration for health ramifications. Because of this misinformation, addiction led to unforeseen impacts in the Victorians lives. Though the mariners believe lotus land to be the cure for the suffering they have endured aboard Odysseus’s ship, and the ill effects of this decision are