What is the lady of shalott poem about?

"The Lady of Shalott" is a narrative poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, first published in 1832. It tells the story of the Lady of Shalott, a beautiful and mysterious woman who lives on an island in the middle of a river. She is cursed to weave a tapestry that reflects everything she sees, but may never look directly at the world outside. If she does, she will be cursed to die.

The poem begins with the Lady of Shalott sitting at her loom, weaving her tapestry. She sees a handsome knight riding by on the other side of the river and falls in love with him. She longs to break her curse and be with him, but knows she cannot.

One day, the Lady of Shalott decides to disobey the curse and look directly at the knight. She sees him riding away and realizes she will never see him again. She dies of a broken heart, and her tapestry floats down the river to Camelot.

"The Lady of Shalott" is a tragic poem about the power of love and the dangers of desire. It is also a commentary on the role of women in society, and the limitations placed on them. The Lady of Shalott is a symbol of the unattainable ideal, and her story is a warning against trying to achieve the impossible.