COMMENTS ON TENNYSON’S THE LOTUS EATERS

 

                COMMENTS ON TENNYSON’S THE LOTUS EATERS

                        “The Lotus Eaters” is a poem by the English poet Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892). It is based on an incident in the epic poem Odyssey written by the ancient Greek poet Homer who lived during the 8^th century BCE on the coast of Asia Minor and belonged to a long tradition of wandering oral poet. In Book IX of his epic he wrote:

            “But on the tenth day we set foot on the land of lotus-eaters, who eat a flowery food.’’

            This fruit had an adverse effect on them. They became victims of forgetfulness and an intense desire for ease and relaxation.

            They even forgot the way to their homes. Moreover they were in no mood to travel again.

            In the above-mentioned mood they make pertinent statements about exertion and relaxation and ask such questions as have very deep relevance to human life.

            Here are some selected lines from the poem:

“There is sweet music here that softer falls

Than petals from blown roses on the grass---

Music that gentlier on the spirit lies,

Than tir’d eyelids upon tir’d eyes.

                        -----

After this they ask:

 

“Why are we weighed upon with heaviness,

And utterly consumed with sharp distress,

While all things else have rest from weariness?

All things have rest: why should we toil alone,

We only toil, who are the first of things,

And make perpetual moan.

Still from sorrow to another thrown:

Never ever fold our wings,

And cease from wanderings,

Nor steep our brows in slumber’s holy balm;

Nor harken what the inner spirit sings,

Why should we only toil, the roof and crown of things?

                                                ---

They further say:

The full juiced apple, waxing over-mellow,

Drops in a silent autumn night,

All its allotted length of days,

The flower ripens, in its place,

Ripens and fades, and falls, and hath no toil,

Fast-rooted in the fruitful soil.

                                                ----

After this they firmly and rightly say:

 

Let us alone. What is it that will last?

All things are taken from us, and become

Portions and parcels of the dreadful Past.

Let us alone. What pleasure can we have

To war with evil? Is there any peace

In ever climbing up the climbing wave?

All things have rest, and ripen toward grave

In silence; ripen, fall and cease:

Give us long rest or death, dark death, or dreamful ease.

                                    _____

 PUNCHLINE: Rest is rust if not followed by hard work.

                                      *******

G.R.Kanwal

17 July 2026