Delusional Disorder in the Narrator of Maud

Abstract

Alfred Tennyson's poem, Maud, was written from the perspective of a narrator madly in love with the titular character. The narrator goes through different phases throughout the text during which his interpretations of his surroundings, including his natural and relational environments, change with each passing event. During these changes, the narrator exhibits symptoms of mental disorders, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and various delusional disorders. The narrator's depressive yet frenzied moods and his obsessive thoughts, the majority of which point to delusional disorder evident in the erotomaniac and persecutory types, begin to push him towards insanity. This presentation aims to delve into each of the symptoms of the narrator and how his delusions distort his interpretations of his relationships. An analysis of the text shows multiple instances in which the narrator shares his intense feelings. The narrator has been scarred by his father's death to such an extent that the beauty of nature around him morphs into a disfigured, bleeding landscape. He loves Maud obsessively; he will do almost anything to be with her. Finally, he loathes her brother for obstructing his relationship with Maud. Eventually, his delusions leave him a tormented individual who cannot find respite from his troubled mind.