Tears, Idle Tears by Alfred Tennyson

One of the few Victorian
poets with thoughts of a
better tomorrow.......

'

EARS, idle tears, I know not what they mean,

Tears from the depth of some divine despair

Rise in the heart, and gather to the eyes,

In looking on the happy autumn-fields,

And thinking of the days that are no more.

 

'Fresh as the first beam glittering on the sail,

That brings our friends up from the underworld,

Sad as the last which reddens over one

That sinks with all we love below the verge;

So sad, so fresh, the days that are no more.

 

..........In an era in which change
was constantly progressive and a
city in which social structures
and attitudes were being tested...

'Ah, sad and strange as in dark summer dawns

The earliest pipe of half-awaken'd birds

To dying ears, when unto dying eyes

The casement slowly grows a glimmering square;

So sad, so strange, the days that are no more.

 

'Dear as remember'd kisses after death,

And sweet as those by hopeless fancy feign'd

On lips that are for others; deep as love,

Deep as first love, and wild with all regret;

O Death in Life, the days that are no more.'

         

         So, I drove to school today, only to turn right back around and head home after realizing that I am currently too sick to function in any kind of productive way. Because I do truly hate missing school, since it puts one so behind and I am currently overextended as it is, I thought I may as well put some of the six hours I wasn't sleeping to use-and let's be honest, any excuse to explore the internet and read I will gladly undertake. And what better a adventure to take on this day, then one with Lord Alfred Tennyson? To be honest, I had heard little bits and pieces about him throughout my life, but never had I taken the time to read his work. My conclusion after reading is that while he uses words that are simple, it is his meaning behind such simple words and subject matter that is pretty profound-I mean, he takes the simple thought of a tear in this poem and turns it into an time-transcending theme of carrying on through struggle. I think it is important to note that he uses non-rhyming iambic pentameter and has set up four sections that each contain five lines.

      The first section has to do with tears for the past, that what one enjoyed that is no longer existing. Is this sadness brought on because one truly will miss the times, or because they did not appreciate what they had while it was right there for them? I wondered this as I read. It almost strikes me by tone, though, that there are thoughts of regret in the individual. The tears themselves are literally stated in this section of the poem, whereas in other sections there is more of a figurative presentation of ideas.

     As I read through, the ideas of section one were bolstered and supported by each of the following sections. There is a major theme of death and loss throughout the entire poem-by saying that "he knows not what they mean" in thinking of his tears, Tennyson emphasizes that grief, loss and pain are not rational, and death brings a bleak outlook on an individual, one that haunts them. This is especially emphasized in the third section, lines two and three, when Tennyson talks about the pipe of the half awakened birds being lost onto ears and eyes of one who is mentally, though not physically, dead in the fact that their despair and heartbreak over a loss has become an inhibitor for their ability to function.

     But I think that the most important portion of the poem is the last section, it ties up all the loose ends and changes the tone of the poem from one of despair to one of hope. Tennyson admits that true, one will always remember and be plagued with memories of their first love and ones they have lost, but in the last line he emphasizes, and simultaneously contradicts, his previous observation of "days no more"and how death profoundly effects one, in his statement "O Death in Life, the days that are no more" in which the thoughts of despair and death are literally "put to death" and are themselves no more. This is ironic and unexpected when reading the poem because it seems that his feelings of despair and angst are so strong, that they will plague the him for life. By releasing his attachment to such feelings, the author gives his readers hope for any struggles they go through, gives them a powerful sense of good feeling towards achieving the best in a situation. 

    It is important finally to connect everything I'v spoken about so far with historical background. Tennyson lived during the Victorian Era, a time when English society was in a transition period and ideas of the future were mere speculation. Tennyson as a writer during this age reflects a lot on the state of his society, but unlike many writers acknowledges that the inevitable change to come is not to be shunned but is to be embraced by the hopeful soul. This poem embodies Tennyson's initial approach towards these ideas-in the beginning it seems like all subject matter is and will concern despair and loss, but by the end, he acknowledges that yes, we constantly experience the struggle of death and the pain of loss, but realizes that the strong individual in order to prosper must move on from these two entities. It's basically your common acknowledgment that bad stuff happens, but it is the person that is able to learn and move on from experience that will achieve success. And that in of itself is a time transcending way of thinking-one that many people in our currently society need to accept. Yet again, I'll give you another work to munch on in an everlasting meal of food for thought! Enjoy this taste of what Tennyson has to offer.