Question

Why may the Lady in “The Lady of Shalott” not leave her island? a. She has no means of transport at the poem’s beginning. b. A curse is on her that forbids her doing so. c. The king in Camelot has forbidden her to do so. d. She is too overburdened with her weaving to do so.

Answer 1

The Lady of Shalott cannot leave her island because B. a curse is on her that forbids her doing so.
She has been cursed her entire life, not knowing why, but the curse prevents her from leaving her tower or looking at Camelot. However, everything changes the day she sees an attractive knight and falls in love with him, after which she wishes to leave her tower where she was confined. Unfortunately, this is the moment she dies.

Answer 2

Answer: Option B - A curse is on her that forbids her doing so

The lady in "The Lady of Shallot" may not leave her island because she has a curse on her that forbids her from leaving the island. Shallot actually refers to an island in the river on which a lady lives in a castle.