'I ask of thee, love, nothing but relief' by Mary Elizabeth Coleridge
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I ask of thee, love, nothing but relief.
Thou canst not bring the old days back again;
For I was happy then,
Not knowing heavenly joy, not knowing grief.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I ask of thee, love, nothing but relief" by Mary Elizabeth Coleridge - A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you a fan of love poetry that is at once beautiful and poignant? Are you looking for a poem that captures the essence of love in all its complexities? Look no further than "I ask of thee, love, nothing but relief" by Mary Elizabeth Coleridge.
First published in 1907, this poem has become a classic in the world of love poetry. Coleridge, a British poet of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was known for her delicate yet powerful verse, and this poem is no exception.
Form and Structure
At first glance, "I ask of thee, love, nothing but relief" appears to be a simple poem, with only three stanzas of four lines each. But on closer inspection, the form and structure of the poem reveal a carefully crafted piece of writing.
Each stanza follows the same ABAB rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines ending in an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable, while the second and fourth lines end with a stressed syllable. This consistent rhyme scheme creates a sense of musicality and rhythm throughout the poem.
In addition, the poem is written in iambic pentameter, with each line consisting of ten syllables. This metrical pattern gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry, and adds to its overall musicality.
Themes
At its core, "I ask of thee, love, nothing but relief" is a poem about the complexities of love and the desire for comfort and solace in the face of its challenges. The speaker of the poem is addressing their lover, asking for nothing more than relief from the pain and difficulties that love can bring.
Throughout the poem, we see the speaker grappling with the paradoxical nature of love. On the one hand, love brings joy and happiness, but on the other hand, it can also bring pain and suffering. The speaker acknowledges this duality of love, but ultimately chooses to ask for relief from its challenges rather than giving up on love altogether.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of submission and surrender. The speaker of the poem is asking their lover for relief, but in doing so, they are also submitting themselves to the power of love. This surrender is both beautiful and terrifying, as it requires the speaker to relinquish control and trust in their lover to provide the relief they seek.
Symbolism
One of the most striking aspects of "I ask of thee, love, nothing but relief" is its use of symbolism. Throughout the poem, Coleridge employs a variety of symbols to represent the different aspects of love and the speaker's desire for relief.
The most prominent symbol in the poem is that of the sea. The speaker asks their lover to "be to me as the waves of the sea," symbolizing the tumultuous and unpredictable nature of love. The sea is also a symbol of power and strength, suggesting that the speaker is seeking comfort in their lover's ability to weather the storms of love.
Another symbol that appears in the poem is that of the bird. In the second stanza, the speaker asks their lover to "be to me as the bird that sings," symbolizing the joy and beauty that love can bring. The bird is also a symbol of freedom and lightness, suggesting that the speaker is seeking relief from the weight of their love's challenges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "I ask of thee, love, nothing but relief" is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the complexities of love in a simple yet effective way. Through its form, structure, themes, and symbolism, the poem speaks to our deepest desires for comfort and solace in the face of life's challenges.
Whether you are a fan of love poetry or simply appreciate well-crafted writing, "I ask of thee, love, nothing but relief" is a poem that is sure to leave a lasting impression. So why not take a few moments to read it and see for yourself the beauty and power of Mary Elizabeth Coleridge's verse?
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium of expressing emotions and feelings that are difficult to put into words. Mary Elizabeth Coleridge's poem "I ask of thee, love, nothing but relief" is a classic example of how poetry can convey complex emotions in a simple yet powerful way. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices to understand why it has stood the test of time.
The poem "I ask of thee, love, nothing but relief" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The poem follows the traditional rhyme scheme of a sonnet, with the first eight lines following the ABBAABBA pattern, and the last six lines following the CDCDCD pattern. The poem's structure is essential in conveying the poem's meaning, as it creates a sense of balance and symmetry that reflects the speaker's desire for relief.
The poem's title, "I ask of thee, love, nothing but relief," sets the tone for the poem, indicating that the speaker is seeking comfort and solace from their lover. The use of the word "love" in the title suggests that the speaker is addressing their lover directly, making the poem more personal and intimate.
The first line of the poem, "I ask of thee, love, nothing but relief," sets the poem's theme and establishes the speaker's desire for relief. The use of the word "nothing" emphasizes the speaker's desperation for relief, suggesting that they are willing to accept anything that can provide them with comfort.
The second line, "Thou canst not bring the old days back again," introduces the poem's central conflict. The speaker is aware that their lover cannot change the past, and they cannot bring back the "old days." This line suggests that the speaker is struggling with nostalgia and longing for a time that has passed.
The third and fourth lines, "For I was happy then, nor felt the strain/Of this dull aching heart, this weary brain," further emphasize the speaker's longing for the past. The use of the word "happy" suggests that the speaker was content and fulfilled in the past, but they are now struggling with a "dull aching heart" and a "weary brain." These lines create a sense of contrast between the speaker's past and present, highlighting the speaker's desire for relief.
The fifth and sixth lines, "I ask of thee but one thing, only one,/To let me rest, to leave me quite alone," further emphasize the speaker's desire for relief. The use of the word "one" suggests that the speaker's request is simple and straightforward. The repetition of the word "one" also creates a sense of urgency, emphasizing the speaker's desperation for relief.
The seventh and eighth lines, "Alas! That cannot be. The days are gone/When thou and I could be together alone," introduce a sense of melancholy into the poem. The use of the word "alas" suggests that the speaker is resigned to their fate and that they cannot change the present. The phrase "together alone" creates a sense of intimacy and suggests that the speaker and their lover were once close but are now separated.
The ninth and tenth lines, "The world is too much with us; late and soon,/Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers," introduce a sense of social commentary into the poem. The use of the phrase "the world is too much with us" suggests that the speaker is overwhelmed by the demands of modern life. The phrase "getting and spending" suggests that the speaker is critical of the materialistic values of society, which they believe are wasting people's potential.
The eleventh and twelfth lines, "Little we see in Nature that is ours;/We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!" further emphasize the speaker's criticism of modern society. The use of the phrase "little we see in Nature that is ours" suggests that the speaker feels disconnected from the natural world. The phrase "a sordid boon" suggests that the speaker believes that society's values are corrupt and that people have given away their hearts to pursue materialistic goals.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines, "This sea that bares her bosom to the moon,/The winds that will be howling at all hours,/And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers,/For this, for everything, we are out of tune," conclude the poem with a sense of resignation. The use of the phrase "this sea that bares her bosom to the moon" creates a sense of natural beauty and suggests that the speaker is still capable of appreciating the world's wonders. However, the phrase "for this, for everything, we are out of tune" suggests that the speaker feels disconnected from the world and that they cannot find relief from their troubles.
The poem's use of literary devices is essential in conveying its meaning and creating a sense of emotional depth. The use of repetition, for example, emphasizes the speaker's desperation for relief. The repetition of the word "one" in lines five and six creates a sense of urgency, emphasizing the speaker's desire for a simple solution to their problems. The repetition of the phrase "getting and spending" in line nine emphasizes the speaker's criticism of modern society's values.
The poem's use of imagery is also essential in creating a sense of emotional depth. The use of the phrase "dull aching heart" in line four creates a sense of emotional pain, emphasizing the speaker's suffering. The use of the phrase "together alone" in line eight creates a sense of intimacy, emphasizing the speaker's longing for their lover. The use of the phrase "sleeping flowers" in line fourteen creates a sense of natural beauty, emphasizing the speaker's appreciation for the world's wonders.
In conclusion, Mary Elizabeth Coleridge's poem "I ask of thee, love, nothing but relief" is a classic example of how poetry can convey complex emotions in a simple yet powerful way. The poem's structure, literary devices, and use of imagery are essential in conveying its meaning and creating a sense of emotional depth. The poem's theme of longing for relief and criticism of modern society's values is still relevant today, making it a timeless piece of literature.
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