How Does the Writer Tell the Story in Godiva? Essay

Godiva is poesy written by Alfred Tennyson active a well known myth regarding a woman named Godiva. The Earl who govern Coventry wanted the sight to pay more tax which they could non afford. Godiva asked him to lower the tax, and the Earl told her he would repeal the tax if she rode through the town naked. Godiva hence agreed to this, and the towns peck stayed inside and shut all the doors and windows so no wizard would see Godiva, allowing her to keep her dignity. Godiva rode through the town naked on her horse, however someone peeped through a hole to see Godiva exposed. His eyeball shrivelled into his head and he never saw Godiva naked. She saved her people by sacrificing herself and took the tax a room. Godiva is a narrative poem written in blank verse and unrhymed iambic pentameter.This form shows respect towards the character, and helps to conjure up the poems message. Rather than cosmos lyrical, the narrative form and windy pace gives Godiva dignity and admiration fo r the sacrifice she made to save her people. Godiva is the Earls wife, so in actual fact she is Lady Godiva, however Tennyson chooses non to use her status to enhance the meaning and inspiration behind what she did. Its not about who she is its about what she did. The poem is written in chronological order regarding the event. This helps the reader scan the situation better, as we understand the desperation and upset of the townspeople, and past we are taken on Godivas journey through the town. As a reader we feel the tenseness of every stride of her sacrifice, and therefore have a full catch of the appreciation and respect the people feel towards Godiva. Tennyson has written this poem in third person narrative.There is also some direct wrangle present. The direct speech on line 15 is effective because it highlights the peoples desperation, and Godivas voice on line 20 echoes the townspeople. The poem begins with a four line stanza in first person as if it is the poet speakin g. As a reader, this draws our attention to the poets respect for Godiva Tennyson is inspired by her. The first stanza prepares us for Godivas sacrifice. Tennyson describes the situation and the peoples feelings, and then goes on to tell us the Earls request. The Earl is not given a name, and by doing this Tennyson makes him seem more monstrous and evil. When the Earl talks to Godiva, Tennyson portrays him as being very dismissive and patronising.He also speaks rather informally, reflecting that he does not behave like an Earl should, and this is made obvious when we discover his proposal to Godiva. The bypass in the stanza gives the reader a chance to reflect and take in what has happened. This pause builds anticipation and mystery as to whether Godiva will accept the challenge. ingenuousness and innocence are key symbols throughout the poem. The mention of eagles in the third stanza represents wealth and pride. Godiva is proud to help her people. There is natural beauty in her s acrifice and the use of alliteration when describing her hair emphasises this purity.The fact that no one sees her naked shows how much people respect her and admire her for what she has done. Tennyson builds tension in the penultimate stanza by the use of long sentences with small clauses. As a reader we are taken on Godivas journey, and we feel the pain of every moment of her sacrifice. Tennyson chooses to put a dark twist on the myth when the boy peeped to look at Godiva. This is another effective way that reflects the respect for Godiva. The poem ends with the line and built herself an everlasting name. This shows the encounter of her sacrifice, and the respect and admiration will remain forever.