The two poems `Mariana' by Alfred Lord Tennyson and `Cousin Kate' by Christiana Rosetti both reflect women inequitable position in the nineteenth century; they both use literal techniques to denote this but in diverse styles.

Alfred Lord Tennyson was the most famous poet in the Victorian period; he was recognised as a great poet for his philosophical use of language and mastery of technique. He produced many of his most famous pieces in 1882 including `The Lady of Shallot'; he was then created a baron in 1884. `Mariana' is referred to in `Measure for Measure' by William Shakespeare.

The poem expresses Marianas cold, suicidal character; this impression is build by the technique of using inanimate objects of life to convey her emotion. The use of mysterious and subjective adjectives create a negative and depressive atmosphere; such as `blackest mosses' which uses the surroundings to echo her emotional description. This creates...