This excerpt belongs to Part I of "The Lady of Shalott." The speaker starts by describing a river and the field that surrounds it. People and ships go through the area constantly. We know that travellers pass by on foot, and that many boats travel through the river to get to Camelot, which is the legendary home of King Arthur. However, on the river there is also a small island, and in the island, a small castle. This is the island of Shalott, and in the castle lives the mysterious Lady of Shalott.
