creating a powerful and identifiable mood.

when writers use something to represent intangible ideas; for example, a rose as a symbol for love.

in literature, when the weather reflects the mood.

a metaphor for a final act before death; this phrase comes from an ancient belief that swans sing a beautiful song before they die.

Descriptive writing using Lord Tennyson's 'The Lady of Shalott' as stimulus

English

In 'Myths and Legends Re-Told', pupils explore how they can alter traditional stories to convey modern ideas and morals. In 'Animal Farm: the Pigs and Power', pupils learn about Orwell's allegory and understand how he uses an apparently simple fairy story to convey a political message. 

In 'Step Into the Unknown', pupils look at the ways in which famous children's writers create convincing settings, particularly through descriptions of windows and doors. In 'Myths and Legends Re-Told', pupils take inspiration from the ways in which writers and poets use powerful imagery and symbolism, to inspire their own writing. 

In this unit, pupils read and explore a range of text types in connection to classical myths and legends. They first look at poetry before doing some descriptive writing inspired by poetry and paintings. They then explore Chaucer and modern retellings of myths to inspire their narrative writing.

Myths, legends and stories that inspire

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of sex or sexual body parts, including sex education.

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

In ‘The Lady of Shalott’ ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire’), what type of tree is the Lady of Shalott's boat under?

In 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), what is on the Lady of Shalott's head as she sails towards Camelot?

In 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), what does the Lady of Shalott do as she sails towards Camelot?

beautiful – to reflect the beauty of the Lady of Shalott

there is thunder and lightening – to reflect the curse

rainy and windy – to reflect the tragedy of the Lady of Shalott's death

the weather is not described; the focus is on the Lady of Shalott's outfit

snowy – to match the white dress and crown of pearls the Lady of Shalott wears

In 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), what is the weather like as the Lady of Shalott sails towards Camelot?

because the Lady of Shalott and Sir Lancelot are going to be reunited

because the curse is over, and the Lady of Shalott is finally free

because the Lady of Shalott is about the die

because we are finally going to get a description of Camelot

because the Lady of Shalott can no longer weave her web

In 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), why might we describe the mood of Part 4 of the poem as sombre?

the Lady of Shalott's outfit is described

the Lady of Shalott starts sailing to Camelot

the Lady of Shalott starts singing her deathsong

people from Camelot come to see the Lady of Shalott’s body

Match each stanza from Part 4 of 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire') to its focus.

The Lady of Shalott gets up from her loom to see Sir Lancelot.

The Lady of Shalott sails to Camelot, knowing she will die before she arrives.

Starting with the first section, put the four parts of Tennyson's 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire') in chronological order. 

someone who hears the Lady of Shalott singing

people the Lady of Shalott sees in the mirror

Match each of these characters, all important to 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), to what we find out about them.

In 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), how does the Lady of Shalott arrive in Camelot?

when the weather reflects the mood of a character or event

when writers use something tangible to represent an intangible idea

a method of comparison when you say one thing is another

Match each of these terms, important to the analysis of 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), to their definitions.

In 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), what is the Lady of Shalott wearing as she sails to Camelot?

that she doesn’t regret leaving her loom

In 'The Lady of Shalott' ('Myths, Legends and stories that inspire'), what does the parchment (paper) say about the Lady of Shalott? It is found on her body at the very end of the poem.

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Descriptive writing using Lord Tennyson's 'The Lady of Shalott' as stimulus

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.