Tennyson published this long poem in 1847, the first major publication since his successful two-volume

of 1842. Although not happy in his personal life during the 1840s, his reputation was becoming established as a poet of both lyric intensity and narrative skill. But

was coolly received, and this seems to have led Tennyson to revise the poem after publication more extensively than any of his others. His own dissatisfaction with it was recorded by a friend: “He talked of

with something of regret, of its fine blank verse, and the many good things in it: 'but,' said he, 'though truly original, it is, after all, only a medley'.”

Tennyson seems to have planned the poem in the late 1830s in conversation with Emily Sellwood, whom he would eventually marry in

2474 words

Citation: Shaw, Marion. "The Princess". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 06 June 2003 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=7455, accessed 23 November 2024.]