Poetry Arcadia

Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–1892) was the Poet Laureate of Great Britain and Ireland during much of Queen Victoria's reign, known for his reflective and often melancholic verse. One of his famous works is "The Charge of the Light Brigade," which captures the heroism of a doomed cavalry charge during the Crimean War. Tennyson was renowned for his vivid imagery and rhythmic language, earning him recognition as one of the greatest poets of the Victorian era. He was also fascinated by Arthurian legend, which inspired his collection "Idylls of the King."

Christina Rossetti (1830–1894) was an English poet known for her deeply emotional and often religiously inspired works. Her famous poem "Goblin Market" is both a tale of temptation and a critique of Victorian society’s expectations of women. An interesting fact about Rossetti is that she was considered a potential successor to Tennyson as Poet Laureate, though she ultimately declined. Rossetti's devotion to her faith heavily influenced her poetry, which often explored themes of love, faith, and loss.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861) was one of the most prominent English poets of the Victorian era, admired for her collection "Sonnets from the Portuguese," which includes the famous line "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." She was an invalid for much of her life but found solace in writing, and her marriage to fellow poet Robert Browning became a celebrated literary love story. Despite her fragile health, Barrett Browning was also a passionate advocate against slavery and child labor, incorporating these social issues into her work.

Writing Inspirations