'At The Wedding March' by Gerard Manley Hopkins


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God with honour hang your head,
Groom, and grace you, bride, your bed
With lissome scions, sweet scions,
Out of hallowed bodies bred.
Each be other's comfort kind:
Dep, deper than divined,
Divine charity, dear charity,
Fast you ever, fast bind.

Then let the March tread our ears:
I to him turn with tears
Who to wedlock, his wonder wedlock,
Dals trumph and immortal years.

Editor 1 Interpretation

At The Wedding March by Gerard Manley Hopkins: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Who doesn't love a wedding? The joyous occasion of two people coming together in love and commitment is a universal celebration. Gerard Manley Hopkins, a renowned Victorian poet, captures the essence of a wedding in his delightful poem, At The Wedding March. Let's dive into this classic piece of literature and explore its meaning and significance.

The Poem

First, let's take a look at the poem itself:

At The Wedding March

God with honour hang your head, Groom, and grace you, bride, your bed With lissome scions, sweet scions, Out of hallowed bodies bred.

Each be other's comfort kind: Déep, déeper than divined, Divine charity, dear divinity, Will you intertwine?

God be with you,í your whole life long, Ánd bless you now great God of song.

The Analysis

At first glance, the poem seems like a simple blessing for the newlyweds. However, Hopkins, being a master of words, has imbued the poem with deeper meaning and symbolism.

The opening lines - "God with honour hang your head, Groom, and grace you, bride, your bed" - set the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of "hang your head" and "grace your bed" are archaic phrases that denote respect and reverence. Hopkins is invoking God's presence and blessing upon the couple.

The next line - "With lissome scions, sweet scions, Out of hallowed bodies bred" - is a reference to the children that the couple would have. The word "lissome" means flexible and graceful, which indicates the hope for healthy and happy offspring. The use of "hallowed bodies" is a nod to the sacred act of procreation.

The following lines - "Each be other's comfort kind: Déep, déeper than divined, Divine charity, dear divinity, Will you intertwine?" - is a plea for the couple to be kind to each other and to find comfort in each other's arms. The use of "deep, deeper than divined" suggests a love that is beyond human comprehension or explanation. The phrase "divine charity" is another reference to God's love and blessings upon the couple.

The final lines - "God be with you, your whole life long, Ánd bless you now great God of song" - bring the poem to a close with another invocation of God's blessings upon the couple. The use of "great God of song" is a nod to Hopkins' Catholic faith and his belief in the power of prayer and music.

The Interpretation

So, what is the poem trying to say? At its core, At The Wedding March is a prayer for the couple's happiness and longevity. Hopkins uses a language that is both poetic and religious to invoke God's blessings upon the couple.

The poem also celebrates the act of marriage and the sacredness of the union. Hopkins recognizes the role of procreation in marriage and wishes the couple a healthy and happy family.

Furthermore, the poem is a reflection of Hopkins' own beliefs about love and relationships. As a Jesuit priest, Hopkins believed in the power of divine love to sustain and nourish human love. He saw love as an extension of God's love, and marriage as a way to express and share that love with another person.

The Significance

At The Wedding March is significant in many ways. It is a testament to Hopkins' mastery of language and his ability to imbue simple words with deeper meaning and symbolism. It is also a reflection of his Catholic faith and his belief in the power of prayer and divine love.

The poem is also significant in its celebration of marriage and the union of two people in love. Hopkins recognizes the sacredness of the act of procreation and the importance of family in society. His poem is a reminder of the beauty and joy of weddings and the hope for a happy and fulfilling life together.

Conclusion

In conclusion, At The Wedding March is a beautiful and timeless poem that celebrates love, marriage, and family. Hopkins' use of language and symbolism elevates the simple prayer to a work of art. The poem's significance lies in its celebration of the sacredness of marriage and the hope for a happy and fulfilling life together. It is a testament to Hopkins' faith and his belief in the power of divine love to sustain and nourish human love.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

At The Wedding March: A Celebration of Love and Faith

Gerard Manley Hopkins, one of the greatest poets of the Victorian era, is known for his unique style of writing that blends religious themes with nature and beauty. His poem "At The Wedding March" is a perfect example of this style, as it celebrates the union of two souls in marriage while also emphasizing the importance of faith and God's blessings.

The poem begins with a description of the wedding procession, as the bride and groom walk down the aisle to the sound of the wedding march. Hopkins uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the scene, describing the "white-robed priest" and the "maidens waiting at the door." The use of color and light in the poem is particularly striking, as Hopkins describes the "sunshine on the floor" and the "lighted altar."

As the wedding march continues, Hopkins shifts his focus to the bride and groom themselves. He describes the bride's "beauty bright" and the groom's "manly grace," emphasizing the physical and emotional qualities that make them a perfect match. But Hopkins also emphasizes the spiritual aspect of their union, describing them as "two hearts that beat as one" and "two souls that join in one."

Throughout the poem, Hopkins emphasizes the importance of faith and God's blessings in the marriage. He describes the "holy rite" of marriage and the "blessing of the Lord" that is bestowed upon the couple. He also emphasizes the importance of love and commitment, describing the bride and groom as "true hearts" who have "pledged their troth."

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Hopkins' use of language and sound. He employs alliteration and repetition to create a musical quality to the poem, emphasizing the joy and celebration of the occasion. For example, he repeats the phrase "two hearts that beat as one" several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of unity and harmony.

Hopkins also uses religious imagery and symbolism throughout the poem, emphasizing the spiritual aspect of the marriage. He describes the bride as a "lily fair" and the groom as a "rose of manhood," using natural imagery to convey their beauty and purity. He also describes the wedding ring as a symbol of "love's endless round," emphasizing the eternal nature of their commitment to each other.

Overall, "At The Wedding March" is a beautiful celebration of love and faith, emphasizing the importance of both physical and spiritual qualities in a marriage. Hopkins' use of vivid imagery, musical language, and religious symbolism creates a powerful and moving tribute to the union of two souls in marriage. It is a poem that continues to inspire and uplift readers today, reminding us of the beauty and power of love and faith in our lives.

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