The Eagle, by Alfred Tennyson

[mamen]

My dear teachers,

A friend of mine was asking me about the theme of the poem:The Eagle, by Alfred Tennyson.

I read the poem but I still don't know the theme.

Also, he told me that it should be in a one complete sentence.
I think the subject is about the insignificance of man.

Please help.

thanks...

[mamen]

It is generally thought that the eagle refers to a hero who has defied the gods and is (or will) be punished by the gods for his defience.

Sir,
Would it be fine if I would claim that it is all about man's insignificance as compared to the universe?

thanks in advance...

[Raymott]

Sir,
Would it be fine if I would claim that it is all about man's insignificance as compared to the universe?

thanks in advance...

There are hundreds of analyses of this poem on the web.
Google

How would you defend your reading, given that neither man nor the universe are mentioned, or even vaguely alluded to?

[mamen]

There are hundreds of analyses of this poem on the web.
Google

How would you defend your reading, given that neither man nor the universe are mentioned, or even vaguely alluded to?

http://www.omdix.com/pdf/docs/teache...1071118266.pdf

I have found that idea in this site, sir.

[Raymott]

www.omdix.com/pdf/docs/teacher_test_1071118266.pdf

I have found that idea in this site, sir.

My opinion is that that article is nonsense.
The poem is called "The Eagle: A Fragment". Here it is:
"He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ringed with the azure world, he stands.


The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls;
He watches from his mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls. "

The student who wrote the article writes, "The word "fragment" in the title of the poem shows immediately that he believes that man is just a trivial piece of insignificance." Huh? It doesn't show that at all. Unfortunately, the essay doesn't get much better.

The poem might be saying something about the place of man in the world, but you need to argue that from the poem; not assume that a priori and impose it on the poem.

Here are some equally unsupported impressions about the poem:
The Eagle by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Have a read of these for some different ideas.:
Poetry analysis: The Eagle, by Alfred Tennyson - by Liz Allen - Helium
The Eagle Study Guide | Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson | BookRags.com
http://www.enotes.com/eagle