Tithonus | Alfred Tennyson | Study Guide

Author: Alfred Tennyson

 

Year: 1860

 

Type: Poem

 

Genre: Dramatic monologue

 

About Title:

"Tithonus" is a poem by Alfred Tennyson, based on Greek mythology. Tithonus was a mortal lover of the dawn goddess Eos, who asked Zeus to grant him immortality but forgot to ask for eternal youth, leading to his eternal aging and suffering.

 

Characters:

Tithonus: The narrator of the poem, a mortal man who was granted immortality but not eternal youth.

Eos: The dawn goddess, Tithonus's lover, who granted him immortality.

Summary:

"Tithonus" is a poem written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and was published in 1860. It's based on the Greek myth of Tithonus, a mortal prince whom the goddess Eos (the Dawn) fell in love with and asked Zeus to grant immortality. However, Eos forgot to ask for eternal youth, and Tithonus continues to age while his lover remains eternally youthful.

In the poem, Tithonus speaks as an old man who has been granted immortality but not eternal youth. He laments his condition, describing how he has become feeble and decrepit over the centuries while Eos remains forever young and beautiful.

Tithonus reflects on the passage of time and the cruel irony of his immortality, which has condemned him to an eternity of suffering and decay. He longs for release from his immortal existence, wishing for death to finally bring him peace.

Through its lyrical language and poignant imagery, "Tithonus" explores themes of mortality, aging, and the longing for release from the burdens of life. It's a powerful meditation on the human condition and the inevitability of death, despite the desire for immortality.

 

Symbols: 

Dawn and dusk: Symbolize the cyclical nature of time and the passage of life from birth to death.

Immortality: Represents the desire for eternal life and the consequences of such a wish when granted without eternal youth.

Themes:

Time and Aging: Explores the inevitability of aging and the passage of time, as well as the longing for youth and vitality.

Immortality and Mortality: Examines the consequences of immortality without eternal youth, highlighting the burdens and limitations of eternal existence.

Longing and Regret: Reflects on the human experience of longing for what is lost and regretting past decisions, as Tithonus yearns for release from his eternal suffering.

Transience and Eternity: Considers the contrast between the fleeting nature of mortal life and the eternal existence of the gods, as well as the tension between mortality and the desire for permanence.

Overall Discussion:

"Tithonus" is a poignant and introspective poem that explores themes of time, aging, and the human longing for immortality. Through its lyrical language and vivid imagery, Tennyson captures the profound sadness and despair of Tithonus as he grapples with the consequences of his immortal existence. The poem serves as a meditation on the nature of life, death, and the passage of time, inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of the human condition and the fleeting nature of mortal existence.