'Mariana' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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WITH BLACKEST moss the flower-plots
Were thickly crusted, one and all:
The rusted nails fell from the knots
That held the pear to the gable-wall.
The broken sheds look'd sad and strange:
Unlifted was the clinking latch;
Weeded and worn the ancient thatch
Upon the lonely moated grange.
She only said, "My life is dreary,
He cometh not," she said;
She said, "I am aweary, aweary,
I would that I were dead!"
Her tears fell with the dews at even;
Her tears fell ere the dews were dried;
She could not look on the sweet heaven,
Either at morn or eventide.
After the flitting of the bats,
When thickest dark did trance the sky,
She drew her casement-curtain by,
And glanced athwart the glooming flats.
She only said, "My life is dreary,
He cometh not," she said;
She said, "I am aweary, aweary,
I would that I were dead!"
Upon the middle of the night,
Waking she heard the night-fowl crow:
The cock sung out an hour ere light:
From the dark fen the oxen's low
Came to her: without hope of change,
In sleep she seem'd to walk forlorn,
Till cold winds woke the gray-eyed morn
About the lonely moated grange.
She only said, "The day is dreary,
He cometh not," she said;
She said, "I am aweary, aweary,
I would that I were dead!"
About a stone-cast from the wall
A sluice with blacken'd waters slept,
And o'er it many, round and small,
The cluster'd marish-mosses crept.
Hard by a poplar shook alway,
All silver-green with gnarled bark:
For leagues no other tree did mark
The level waste, the rounding gray.
She only said, "My life is dreary,
He cometh not," she said;
She said, "I am aweary, aweary,
I would that I were dead!"
And ever when the moon was low,
And the shrill winds were up and away
In the white curtain, to and fro,
She saw the gusty shadow sway.
But when the moon was very low,
And wild winds bound within their cell,
The shadow of the poplar fell
Upon her bed, across her brow.
She only said, "The night is dreary,
He cometh not," she said;
She said, "I am aweary, aweary,
I would that I were dead!"
All day within the dreamy house,
The doors upon their hinges creak'd;
The blue fly sung in the pane; the mouse
Behind the mouldering wainscot shriek'd,
Or from the crevice peer'd about.
Old faces glimmer'd thro' the doors,
Old footsteps trod the upper floors,
Old voices call'd her from without.
She only said, "My life is dreary,
He cometh not," she said;
She said, "I am aweary, aweary,
I would that I were dead!"
The sparrow's chirrup on the roof,
The slow clock ticking, and the sound
Which to the wooing wind aloof
The poplar made, did all confound
Her sense; but most she loath'd the hour
When the thick-moted sunbeam lay
Athwart the chambers, and the day
Was sloping toward his western bower.
Then, said she, "I am very dreary,
He will not come," she said;
She wept, "I am aweary, aweary,
O God, that I were dead!"
.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into Tennyson's Mariana
As a poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson has always been known for his exceptional ability to evoke vivid imagery, profound emotions, and timeless themes in his works. One of his most famous poems, Mariana, is a perfect example of this. This poem, first published in Tennyson's 1830 collection Poems, chiefly Lyrical, tells the story of a woman named Mariana who is waiting for her lover to return. Throughout the poem, Tennyson uses rich language, subtle imagery, and powerful metaphors to convey Mariana's sense of isolation, despair, and longing. In this essay, we will explore the various literary devices that Tennyson employs in Mariana, analyze their significance, and interpret their meaning.
Form and Structure
One of the first things that strikes the reader about Mariana is its form and structure. The poem is composed of 7 stanzas, each containing 4 lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance. The meter is iambic tetrameter, meaning each line contains four iambs or feet, consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality that is both musical and soothing.
But why did Tennyson choose this particular form and structure for Mariana? One interpretation is that the regularity and symmetry of the poem's structure mirror the monotony and isolation of Mariana's life. The repetition of the same rhyme scheme and meter throughout the poem echoes Mariana's sense of being stuck in a repetitive cycle of waiting and longing. Furthermore, the limited number of stanzas and lines in the poem reflects the limited scope of Mariana's world, which is confined to the "moated grange" where she lives.
Imagery and Metaphor
One of the most striking features of Mariana is its use of imagery and metaphor to convey Mariana's emotions and surroundings. From the very beginning of the poem, Tennyson sets the tone with his descriptions of the "weeping" willow tree, the "drear" and "desolate" landscape, and the "blackened" and "blasted" trees. These images create a sense of bleakness and despair, setting the stage for Mariana's story.
Throughout the poem, Tennyson uses metaphor to convey Mariana's sense of isolation and longing for her absent lover. For example, he describes Mariana's heart as being "sick for the sky," suggesting that she longs to break free from the confines of her surroundings and be reunited with her lover. Similarly, he describes Mariana as being "half sick of shadows," suggesting that she is tired of living in a world of illusions and shadows, and longs for something real.
Themes and Interpretation
One of the central themes of Mariana is the theme of isolation and loneliness. Mariana is portrayed as living in a world of her own, cut off from the rest of humanity. This is reflected in her physical surroundings, which are described as "moated" and "desolate," and in her emotional state, which is characterized by a sense of longing and despair. Her isolation is further emphasized by her waiting for a lover who may never return, and by her sense of being trapped in a never-ending cycle of waiting and longing.
Another theme that runs throughout Mariana is the theme of time and change. The poem is set in a world that is frozen in time, where everything seems to be in a state of decay and decline. The trees are "blackened" and "blasted," the willow weeps "all night long," and the clock in the tower "ticks on" relentlessly. Mariana herself is described as being "fixed" and "motionless," suggesting that she is trapped in a world that is moving on without her.
One interpretation of this theme is that Tennyson is commenting on the transitory nature of life and the inevitability of change. Mariana's world is frozen in time, but the world around her is constantly changing and evolving. Her isolation and despair are a result of her inability to adapt to these changes, and her clinging to the past.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mariana is a powerful and evocative poem that uses imagery, metaphor, and symbolism to convey a sense of isolation, loneliness, and longing. Through its form and structure, Tennyson creates a sense of repetition and monotony that mirrors Mariana's life. Through its use of metaphor and imagery, the poem creates a vivid and haunting picture of a world in decline. And through its themes of isolation, time, and change, Mariana speaks to the universal human experience of longing for connection and meaning in a world that is constantly changing.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Mariana: A Poem of Despair and Longing
Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "Mariana" is a classic poem that explores the themes of despair and longing. The poem is a dramatic monologue that tells the story of a woman named Mariana who is trapped in a state of isolation and despair. Through the use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and a hauntingly beautiful language, Tennyson creates a powerful and moving portrait of a woman who is consumed by her own sorrow.
The poem begins with a description of Mariana's surroundings. She is living in a decaying mansion that is surrounded by a moat. The moat is described as "blackened water" that is "stagnant" and "silent." This imagery sets the tone for the poem and creates a sense of isolation and despair. Mariana is trapped in this decaying world, and she is unable to escape.
Tennyson uses the repetition of the phrase "she only said" to emphasize Mariana's isolation. Mariana is alone, and she has no one to talk to. She is consumed by her own thoughts and feelings, and she is unable to express them to anyone. This repetition also creates a sense of monotony and boredom. Mariana's life is stagnant, and she is unable to find any joy or happiness.
The poem then shifts to Mariana's memories of her lover. She remembers the times they spent together and the promises he made to her. However, these memories only serve to deepen her despair. Her lover is gone, and she is left alone in her decaying world. Tennyson uses the imagery of the "weeds" and the "rust" to symbolize the decay and the passage of time. Mariana's world is falling apart, and she is powerless to stop it.
The poem then shifts to Mariana's longing for her lover. She longs for his return, and she imagines him coming back to her. However, this longing only serves to deepen her despair. Her lover is gone, and she is left alone in her decaying world. Tennyson uses the imagery of the "moon" and the "stars" to symbolize Mariana's longing. The moon and the stars are distant and unattainable, just like her lover.
Tennyson also uses the imagery of the "bell" to symbolize Mariana's despair. The bell tolls throughout the poem, and it serves as a constant reminder of Mariana's isolation and despair. The bell also symbolizes the passage of time. Mariana's life is passing her by, and she is unable to escape her despair.
The poem ends with Mariana's acceptance of her fate. She realizes that her lover is not coming back, and she is resigned to her fate. Tennyson uses the imagery of the "dove" to symbolize Mariana's acceptance. The dove is a symbol of peace and acceptance, and it represents Mariana's willingness to let go of her longing and despair.
In conclusion, Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "Mariana" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of despair and longing. Through the use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and a hauntingly beautiful language, Tennyson creates a portrait of a woman who is consumed by her own sorrow. Mariana is trapped in a decaying world, and she is unable to escape her despair. The poem ends with Mariana's acceptance of her fate, and her willingness to let go of her longing and despair. "Mariana" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to Tennyson's skill as a poet.
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