I really enjoyed reading Alfred Tennyson's, Lady of Shalott this week. I have studied it in the past and it continues to be one of my favourite texts from the Victorian era. I was surprised to learn that the actual poem was published twenty-five years before it was actually illustrated by the numerous artists. I do believe that it impacted the overall reception of the poem as by the time it was illustrated, there was a growing middle class in England and an increased demand for domesticated artwork through books. The intricate wood engraving illustrations certainly helped Tennyson's book of poems do really well in the marketplace. In terms of annotating the poem, I found that it was much easier than last week's exercise. I found this poem to use simple language and had less Victorian cultural references. I think this really helps the poem remain timeless, which is why I enjoy it so much. Tennyson's use of the Arthurian legend and its characters such as Sir Lancelot also helps the poem remain timeless as its a tale that is culturally relevant today, appearing in countless books, tv shows, and movies. I found the comparison to the Lady of Shalott's imprisonment to the imprisonment of strict female gender roles of the time to be very interesting. I'm not sure if Tennyson meant to draw that comparison or if it was a comparison that arose from the poem over time. I think if I had to choose, I would argue that Tennyson did not mean to draw that comparison and wrote about a lady in an isolated tower because it was a romantic trope of the medieval myth. I also thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful wood engraving illustrations and I'm excited to see Dante Rossetti's other work in Goblin Market.