How Does the Writer Tell the Story in Godiva? Essay

Godiva is poem written by Alfred Tennyson about a well know myth regarding a woman named Godiva. The Earl who ruled Coventry wanted the hoi polloi to pay more(prenominal) tax which they could not afford. Godiva asked him to lower the tax, and the Earl told her he would overthrow the tax if she rode done the town naked. Godiva accordingly agreed to this, and the towns race stayed inner and shut all the doors and windows so no one would see Godiva, allowing her to elapse her dignity. Godiva rode through the town naked on her horse, however someone peeped through a hole to see Godiva exposed. His eyes shrivelled into his head and he never saw Godiva naked. She saved her bulk by sacrificing herself and took the tax away. Godiva is a narrative poem written in blank verse and rhymeless iambic pentameter.This form shows respect towards the character, and serve wells to leaven the poems message. quite than being lyrical, the narrative form and slow pace gives Godiva dignity and perceptiveness for the sacrifice she make to save her people. Godiva is the Earls wife, so in literal fact she is Lady Godiva, however Tennyson chooses not to procedure her status to enhance the meaning and inspiration behind what she did. Its not about who she is its about what she did. The poem is written in chronological order regarding the event. This helps the subscriber understand the situation better, as we understand the desperation and pain of the townspeople, and consequently we are taken on Godivas journey through the town. As a reader we feel the tension of every stride of her sacrifice, and therefore have a full understanding of the appreciation and respect the people feel towards Godiva. Tennyson has written this poem in third person narrative. at that place is also some direct speech present. The direct speech on beginning 15 is effective because it highlights the peoples desperation, and Godivas theatrical role on term 20 echoes the townspeople. The poem begi ns with a four line stanza in first person as if it is the poet speaking. As a reader, this draws our aid to the poets respect for Godiva Tennyson is inspired by her. The first stanza prepares us for Godivas sacrifice. Tennyson describes the situation and the peoples feelings, and then goes on to tell us the Earls request. The Earl is not given a name, and by doing this Tennyson makes him seem more monstrous and evil. When the Earl talks to Godiva, Tennyson portrays him as being very dismissive and patronising.He also speaks rather informally, reflecting that he does not behave like an Earl should, and this is made obvious when we discover his proposal to Godiva. The break in the stanza gives the reader a chance to reflect and take in what has happened. This pause builds anticipation and closed book as to whether Godiva entrust accept the challenge. Purity and innocence are blusher symbols throughout the poem. The mention of eagles in the third stanza represents wealth and pride . Godiva is proud to help her people. There is natural beauty in her sacrifice and the use of alliteration when describing her hair emphasises this purity.The fact that no one sees her naked shows how much people respect her and admire her for what she has done. Tennyson builds tension in the penultimate stanza by the use of long sentences with small clauses. As a reader we are taken on Godivas journey, and we feel the pain of every moment of her sacrifice. Tennyson chooses to give a dark twist on the myth when the boy peeped to odour at Godiva. This is another effective way that reflects the respect for Godiva. The poem ends with the line and built herself an everlasting name. This shows the impact of her sacrifice, and the respect and admiration will remain forever.