Why you should read Tithonus

Abhijat Chaturvedi
2 min readJan 14, 2023
Photo by Francisco Ghisletti on Unsplash

Are you in search of a timeless classic that will transport you to another world? Look no further than Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “Tithonus.” This epic poem is a must-read for anyone who loves literature, poetry, and the human experience.

One of the most striking things about “Tithonus” is its use of language. Tennyson’s poetry is masterful, and his use of imagery, metaphor, and rhyme is truly breathtaking. He creates a world of beauty and emotion that is both evocative and powerful. The poem tells the story of the Greek mythological figure Tithonus, who was granted immortality by the goddess Aurora but not eternal youth, and the consequences of his immortality.For example, in the lines:

The woods decay, the woods decay and fall,

The vapours weep their burthen to the ground,

Man comes and tills the field and lies beneath,

And after many a summer dies the swan.

Tennyson expresses the idea of the inevitability of ageing and death, even for Tithonus, who has immortality.

But the poem is not just beautiful, it is also profoundly personal. The raw emotion Tennyson puts into his verse will resonate with anyone who has ever wished for something that ultimately brings more pain than pleasure. The poem is a testament to the power of human desire and the consequences of getting what we want. It explores the idea of immortality and how it can be a curse rather than a blessing.

Furthermore, “Tithonus” is not just a window into the past, but it also reflects on issues that are still relevant today. The work deals with the themes of ageing and immortality, and the search for meaning in a world that is rapidly changing. The poem speaks to the universal human desire for eternal youth and the fear of ageing and death.

Tithonus is a must-read for anyone who loves literature, poetry, and the human experience. It is a timeless classic that will transport you to another world and leave you deeply moved by the beauty, emotion, and insight that Tennyson puts into his verse. It is a work that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading, and it is a true testament to the enduring power of literature.

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Abhijat Chaturvedi

A reader by will, engineer by profession and human at heart.