The Princess

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Princess

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

A Victorian narrative poem blending romance, education, and social critique, The Princess follows Prince Henry's pursuit of Princess Ida, a ruler who rejects men to focus on science and arts. Through lyrical storytelling and rich imagery, the work explores the tension between tradition and progress, gender roles, and the ideal of equal partnership between men and women.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in a fantastical realm, Alfred Tennyson's *The Princess* begins with Sir Walter Vivian recounting a summer day at his estate. Surrounded by friends, including the spirited Lilia, the group decides to compose a tale that reflects the chaotic nature of their times. The story within the story centers on Prince Henry, a romantic youth, and Princess Ida, a formidable ruler who has expelled men from her kingdom to pursue science, art, and philosophy in isolation. Henry travels to Ida's court, only to find her surrounded by learned women who reject his advances. He is eventually captured by her father and sent back with a message demanding his release or war. Henry returns, declaring his love and arguing that men and women are complementary rather than antagonistic. The poem culminates in a debate between the 'mock-heroic' style of the male narrators and the 'realistic' aspirations of the women. Ida, initially rigid and isolated, eventually yields to Henry's arguments. She reflects on her failure to balance intellect with emotion and acknowledges that true progress lies in the harmonious union of both sexes, where each fulfills the defects of the other. The work concludes with a reflection on the chaotic nature of the times and a hope for a future where men and women stand side by side as equals. Tennyson suggests that while the sexes are distinct, they must grow together; the man becomes more like the woman in sweetness and moral height, while the woman gains mental breadth without losing her nurturing nature. This union restores a 'statelier Eden' to humanity, allowing both to reach their full potential in a shared, balanced existence.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/alfred-tennyson_princess.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-0c922cdb6ab555c3.epub

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Downloaded at

2026-07-01 06:24 UTC

Categories

• Classics
• Poetry