Tiresias by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Tiresias is a blind prophet from Greek mythology featured in tales about Oedipus, the Odyssey, and the siege of Thebes. Tennyson chooses him because he embodies the paradox of knowledge without influence — he knows the future, yet no one pays attention, and he must continue to live with that reality. For a Victorian Poet Laureate who often felt his public warnings went unheeded, this myth resonated deeply.

A dramatic monologue is essentially a poem that takes the form of a speech delivered by one character, who isn't the poet. As the reader engages with the text, they gradually uncover details about the speaker through their words and tone. Indeed, 'Tiresias' fits this definition, placing Tennyson alongside his well-known works 'Ulysses' and 'Tithonus.' Each of these poems features older mythological figures reflecting on the experience of being confined by the passage of time and the weight of knowledge.

He began drafting it in 1833, the same year his close friend Arthur Hallam passed away. The poem lingered in different stages of completion for many years. When he finally published it in 1885, he dedicated it to Edward FitzGerald, who had recently died. This long gap hints that the poem was too personal to share sooner — it required the right moment of mourning to be revealed to the public.

In one retelling of the myth, Tiresias stumbled upon the goddess Athena while she was bathing. As punishment, she blinded him, but later, she rewarded him with the ability to see the future. Tennyson uses this moment as the turning point of the poem: it's the moment Tiresias transitioned from ordinary life into something both more profound and isolating. Gaining direct insight into divine truth is shown to be both a burden and a blessing.

Menoikeus is a young nobleman from Thebes. Myth has it that an oracle proclaimed that Thebes would only be saved from its enemies if a descendant of the original Spartoi—the 'sown men'—was willing to sacrifice himself. Tiresias encourages Menoikeus to take on this role. The poem presents this not as an act of cruelty but as the only significant choice left; the young man still has the agency that the old prophet has long since lost.

'Ulysses' is fueled by a restless energy — the speaker yearns to keep moving, keep striving, and refuses to grow old quietly. In contrast, Tiresias is weary, stationary, and devoid of any belief that striving makes a difference. Both poems utilize a mythological old man to explore the meaning of life in its later stages, yet they reach very different emotional conclusions. 'Ulysses' embodies defiance; 'Tiresias' reflects resignation.

Tennyson employs Tiresias to pose a crucial question: what value is there in someone who sees things clearly if no one listens to their insights? The prophet isn’t mistaken—he's just ignored. This reflects the Victorian worry about whether poets, philosophers, and reformers could truly influence public life or if they were merely talking to an empty space. The poem doesn’t provide a reassuring response.

Tennyson composes 'Tiresias' in blank verse, which is unrhymed iambic pentameter. This is the same structure he employs in 'Ulysses' and 'Tithonus,' making it a great fit for the dramatic monologue. The absence of rhyme lends the speech a natural, conversational tone, while the steady iambic rhythm prevents it from turning into prose. The form captures the essence of a man contemplating deeply and thoughtfully under significant pressure.