The Eagle (poem)
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The Eagle is a short poem by Lord Alfred Tennyson and was first published in 1851, when it was added to the seventh edition of Tennyson’s Poems, which had itself been published first in 1842. The poem describes how an eagle can fly so high and dive so fast. It emphasizes the power and majesty of the eagle and compares the bird of prey to its environment.
It is important to note that the poem was not completed. Lord Alfred Tennyson did this in order to allow the reader make up his or her own opinion and viewpoint. This idea was quite a novel idea at the time. Nevertheless, many interpretations of the poem exist today.
Some believe that "The Eagle" is purely just a literal description of an eagle that scoops up its prey. Others believe that the underlying message of the poem is symbolic in nature.
[edit] Possible interpretations
The eagle, at its great height, may be a representation of a man at the peak of his life, clinging on desperately. Certain aspects of the poem support this viewpoint.
