19 pages 38-minute read

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

The Eagle

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1851

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

The eagle is a regal, predatory bird perched high on a mountain cliff. He observes the world from a towering, isolated vantage point. Characterized with human traits like hands instead of talons, he watches the waters below before making a rapid descent. He acts as a representation of immense authority and predatory force. His sudden fall introduces an element of physical precarity.

Key Relationships

Observed by The Speaker

Watcher of The Wrinkled Sea

Supporting Characters

The sea is a vast body of water situated far below the eagle's mountain walls. It moves with a crawling motion. The water appears wrinkled from the high altitude. Functioning as a symbolic representation of the common populace, it exists in contrast to the lofty isolation of the bird. The sea possesses a slow, steady presence that outlasts the rapid strike of the predator.

Key Relationships

Watched by The Eagle

Observed by The Speaker

The speaker serves as an anonymous, camera-like observer detailing the position and actions of the bird. They maintain an urgent tone while documenting the natural scene. The speaker remains completely detached from the physical setting. They provide a cinematic view of the bird and the water below without interacting with either entity.

Key Relationships

Observer of The Eagle

Observer of The Wrinkled Sea