Final answer:
The Lady of Shalott is about a cursed woman in a tower who weaves a tapestry from life's reflections. She looks directly outside to see Sir Lancelot, breaking the curse, and dies while floating to Camelot. Themes include isolation and the conflict between art and reality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Summary of The Lady of Shalott
The poem The Lady of Shalott by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, tells the story of a woman who lives isolated in a tower on the island of Shalott, near Camelot. Cursed to weave a tapestry without looking directly at the outside world, she sees the reflection of life through a mirror. One day, she sees the handsome Sir Lancelot in her mirror and decides to look directly at him, bringing the curse upon herself. She leaves her tower, finds a boat, writes her name on its prow and floats down the river to Camelot, dying before she arrives. Her body is found by the people of Camelot, including Sir Lancelot, who expresses pity for her.
The poem explores themes of isolation, artistry versus reality, and the impact of unrequited love. The Lady of Shalott's decision to engage with the real world despite her curse is a tragic assertion of agency and a poignant reflection on the human condition.