Tennyson's abstract poetic structure presents difficulties in understanding when it comes to finding a single thematic idea. He interweaves historical allusions and deep, personal feelings into a single work. The organic structure of some of Tennyson's poetry presents a tone of uncertainty. While his unconventional works give a more solidified aura. Unlike structure, mood, and tone, “Ulysses” and “The Lady of Shalott” harbor the underlying theme of lust to escape their idle worlds. The Shallot Lady has not been depicted as a real character in the land of Camelot. “Only the reapers, reaping early/Amid the bearded barley/Hear a song that rings clear/Of the river that winds clearly (“The Lady of Shalott” 28). » Only those who venture into the fields early in the morning are reluctant enough to hear the beautiful voice of the Lady. With an aesthetic voice, no such assumption is made to presume its misfortune. “There she weaves day and night/ A magical web of cheerful colors. / She heard a whisper say: / To look at Camelot. / She knows not what the curse may be, / And so she weaves steadily, / And she has few other cares, / The Lady of Shalott (“The Lady of Shalott” 38). As she weaves her picture in happy, cheerful colors, she alludes to having no other care in the world. She will be cursed if she turns to Camelot. Its weaving replaces human involvement, due to its confinement in the tower. Similarly, Penelope used weaving as a way to keep men from courting her while Odysseus was away, as a substitute for human interaction. Penelope used this mechanism as Odysseus reached the pinnacle of his life, fighting in the Trojan War. Living now as an "idle king ("Ulysses" 1)", remembers the days of war...... middle of paper ......, / They heard him sing his last song, / The Lady of Shalott (“The Lady of Shalott” 143).” After they are finally able to recognize their true aspirations in life, the only memory that will remain will be the one they started with. Tennyson's abstract poetic genius in combining historical references and deeply felt emotion, provokes a darkness of understanding in the search for a single thematic idea. The distinction woven throughout the works of “Ulysses” and “The Lady of Shalott” is represented through mood, structure and tone. Although the differences vary greatly, the underlying theme of escape from their idle world appears evident in both writings. Through Ulysses, a great warrior, and The Lady of Shalott, a closeted mistress, appear as opposing characters, their development in abandoning themselves to redundant worlds tells them in various ways..