A woman in the 18th century is portrayed to be always in distress according to Lord Alfred Tennyson. In the poem, "Marianna," she is depicted to be a woman in distress who is waiting for her love to come back. In Stanza 1, Line 9-12, "She only said, 'My life is dreary, He cometh not,' she said; She said, 'I am aweary, aweary I would that I were dead!'" This line shows the dramatic characteristic of the lady in distress. She is suffering, waiting for her love to come back. It is so horrid for Marianna that she wishes she were dead, so she would not have to wait anymore and realize every night that her love will not be returning. . In Stanza 7, Line 81-84, "Then, said she, 'I am very dreary, He will not come,' she said; She wept, 'I am aweary, aweary, Oh God, that I were dead!" At the end of every stanza the author repeats that line but changes a few words. After each stanza the author intensifies the way the character feels. The continuous repetition is the authors' way of telling the reader that this is an important line. Tennyson wants the reader to know that this woman is under great distress
             This is not the only poem that Tennyson expresses that women are in distress. In the poem "The Lady of Shalott", he again writes about a woman who is distress. This woman is distress not because of a man but because of a curse. The Lady Shalott is dying of love's grief. "Four gray walls, and four gray towers, Overlook a space of flowers, And the silent isle imbowers The Lady of Shalott. (Canto 1, Stanza 2, Line 15-18)" This makes it seem that the Lady of Shalott lives in a depressing room. That she is locked in this room and she can not escape. "...But who hath seen her wave her hand? Or at the casement seen her stand? Or is she known in all the land, The Lady of Shalott? (Canto 1, Stanza 3, Line 24-27)" Tennyson ma...