'Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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NOW sleeps the crimson petal, now the white;
Nor waves the cypress in the palace walk;
Nor winks the gold fin in the porphyry font:
The fire-fly wakens: waken thou with me.
Now droops the milkwhite peacock like a ghost,
And like a ghost she glimmers on to me.
Now lies the Earth all Danaë to the stars,
And all thy heart lies open unto me.
Now slides the silent meteor on, and leaves
A shining furrow, as thy thoughts in me.
Now folds the lily all her sweetness up,
And slips into the bosom of the lake:
So fold thyself, my dearest, thou, and slip
Into my bosom and be lost in me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal: A Literary Analysis
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, the Victorian poet laureate, is widely regarded as one of the most significant poets of his time. His works are known for their emotional depth, musicality, and vivid imagery. "Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal" is one of his most famous and poignant poems, exploring themes of love, desire, and mortality. In this literary analysis, we will examine the poem's structure, language, imagery, and themes to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
Structure
The poem consists of four stanzas of equal length, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four metrical feet of two syllables each, with the stress falling on the second syllable. The regularity of the structure and rhythm creates a musical effect, reinforcing the poem's theme of longing and desire.
Language
The language of the poem is rich and evocative, drawing on a range of sensory images to create a vivid picture of the speaker's emotions. The use of the word "sleeps" in the title is significant, suggesting a sense of stillness and peace. The word "crimson" in the first line is also significant, evoking the image of a deep, rich red, which is associated with passion and desire.
The use of archaic language, such as "thou" and "thy," gives the poem a timeless quality, as if it is speaking to us from another era. The use of alliteration, such as "softly sleep" and "faint perfume," creates a musical effect, drawing attention to the sound of the words as well as their meaning.
Imagery
The imagery in the poem is sensual and evocative, drawing on a range of sensory images to create a vivid picture of the speaker's emotions. The speaker refers to "the stillness of the solemn night" and "the crimson-curtained sleep" to create a sense of calm and tranquility. The use of the image of a "crimson petal" suggests the fragility and transience of love and desire.
The use of the image of a "faint perfume" suggests the lingering memory of a lost love. The speaker's desire is expressed through the image of a "long love's day" and the desire to "love on through all ills." The poem's imagery is both beautiful and poignant, creating a sense of longing and nostalgia.
Themes
The poem explores themes of love, desire, and mortality. The use of the word "sleeps" in the title suggests a sense of stillness and peace, but also a sense of finality. The use of the image of a "crimson petal" suggests the fragility and transience of love and desire, emphasizing the inevitability of death.
The speaker's desire to "love on through all ills" suggests a longing for a love that transcends time and mortality. The poem's theme of mortality is reinforced through the image of a "faint perfume," which suggests the lingering memory of a lost love.
The poem also explores the theme of the passage of time, with the use of the image of a "long love's day." The speaker's desire to "love on through all ills" suggests a longing to hold onto the past, to preserve the memory of a lost love.
Interpretation
"Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal" is a deeply emotional and evocative poem, exploring themes of love, desire, and mortality. The use of a regular structure and meter creates a musical effect, reinforcing the poem's theme of longing and desire.
The poem's imagery is sensual and evocative, drawing on a range of sensory images to create a vivid picture of the speaker's emotions. The use of archaic language gives the poem a timeless quality, as if it is speaking to us from another era.
The poem's theme of mortality is reinforced through the use of the image of a "crimson petal" and the sense of finality suggested by the word "sleeps." The theme of the passage of time is explored through the image of a "long love's day" and the speaker's desire to "love on through all ills."
Ultimately, "Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal" is a powerful and poignant exploration of the human experience of love and desire, and the inevitability of mortality. The poem's musicality and evocative imagery make it a timeless classic, speaking to readers across generations.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal: A Masterpiece of Victorian Poetry
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, wrote many poems that have stood the test of time. Among his most famous works is "Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal," a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the themes of love, desire, and mortality.
The poem was first published in 1847 as part of Tennyson's collection "The Princess: A Medley." It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. Despite its brevity, the poem packs a powerful emotional punch and has become a beloved classic of English literature.
The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the tone of the poem. Tennyson describes a flower, the "crimson petal," that has fallen from its stem and now lies "on the ground." The imagery is vivid and sensual, with the color red suggesting passion and desire. The use of the word "sleeps" adds a sense of peacefulness and tranquility, as if the flower is resting after a long day.
In the second stanza, Tennyson introduces the theme of love. He describes a woman who is "fair" and "lovely," and who is lying "with her bosom bare." The imagery is again sensual and suggestive, with the woman's exposed bosom symbolizing her vulnerability and openness to love. The use of the word "lovely" suggests that she is not only physically beautiful but also possesses inner qualities that make her attractive.
The third stanza is the most powerful and emotional of the poem. Tennyson describes the man who is watching the woman and who is filled with desire for her. He says that the man's "heart is hot with passion" and that he longs to "kiss her lips and take her in his arms." The imagery is intense and erotic, with the man's desire portrayed as almost overwhelming. The use of the word "passion" suggests that this is not just a passing fancy but a deep and intense feeling.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close and reveals its underlying theme of mortality. Tennyson describes how the woman will eventually die and how her beauty will fade away. He says that "all beauty must die" and that "the flower fades and dies." The imagery is poignant and melancholy, with the beauty of the flower and the woman contrasted with the inevitability of death. The use of the word "must" suggests that this is not a matter of choice but a fact of life.
Overall, "Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal" is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that explores the themes of love, desire, and mortality with great sensitivity and depth. Tennyson's use of vivid imagery and simple language creates a powerful emotional impact that has resonated with readers for over a century. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience and to touch the hearts and minds of generations.
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