Tithonus
Poem • Fiction
Mythical World
1860
Adult
18+ years
In the poem "Tithonus" by Alfred Tennyson, a man reflects on his immortality granted by the goddess Eos. Although Tithonus lives forever, he continues to age, experiencing endless deterioration and longing for release from his eternal life. The poem explores themes of immortality, aging, and the desire for balance between life and death.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Mysterious
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Tithonus by Alfred Tennyson is praised for its lyrical beauty and profound exploration of immortality and human longing. Readers appreciate its rich, evocative language and the poignant depiction of the curse of eternal life. However, some find its themes excessively melancholic and its pacing slow. Overall, it remains a compelling reflection on human desire and mortality.
A reader who enjoys Tennyson's Tithonus likely appreciates mythological themes and poetic explorations of immortality and human longing. They may also enjoy works like Ovid's Metamorphoses or Mary Shelley's Frankenstein for their examinations of human desires and their consequences.
77 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Alfred Tennyson wrote "Tithonus" in 1833 but published it only in 1860, reflecting his lengthy process of revising and perfecting his poetry.
The poem is inspired by a Greek myth about Tithonus, a mortal who was granted eternal life but not eternal youth, highlighting themes of aging and immortality.
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Tennyson's "Tithonus" is often noted for its vivid and melancholic imagery, which reflects the poet's own anxieties about life and the passage of time.
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Poem • Fiction
Mythical World
1860
Adult
18+ years
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