'The Three Enemies' by Christina Georgina Rossetti


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THE FLESH

"Sweet, thou art pale."
"More pale to see,
Christ hung upon the cruel tree
And bore His Father's wrath for me."

"Sweet, thou art sad."
"Beneath a rod
More heavy, Christ for my sake trod
The winepress of the wrath of God."

"Sweet, thou art weary."
"Not so Christ:
Whose mighty love of me suffic'd
For Strength, Salvation, Eucharist."

"Sweet, thou art footsore."
"If I bleed,
His feet have bled; yea in my need
His Heart once bled for mine indeed."

THE WORLD

"Sweet, thou art young."
"So He was young
Who for my sake in silence hung
Upon the Cross with Passion wrung."

"Look, thou art fair."
"He was more fair
Than men, Who deign'd for me to wear
A visage marr'd beyond compare."

"And thou hast riches."
"Daily bread:
All else is His: Who, living, dead,
For me lack'd where to lay His Head."

"And life is sweet."
"It was not so
To Him, Whose Cup did overflow
With mine unutterable woe."

THE DEVIL

"Thou drinkest deep."
"When Christ would sup
He drain'd the dregs from out my cup:
So how should I be lifted up?"

"Thou shalt win Glory."
"In the skies,
Lord Jesus, cover up mine eyes
Lest they should look on vanities."

"Thou shalt have Knowledge."
"Helpless dust!
In Thee, O Lord, I put my trust:
Answer Thou for me, Wise and Just."

"And Might."--
"Get thee behind me. Lord,
Who hast redeem'd and not abhorr'd
My soul, oh keep it by Thy Word."


Editor 1 Interpretation

Overview

Christina Georgina Rossetti's poem "The Three Enemies" explores the concepts of pride, selfishness, and temptation. The three enemies in question are the world, the flesh, and the devil. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful verse, Rossetti warns her readers of the dangers of giving in to these enemies.

Analysis

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each dealing with one of the three enemies. In the first stanza, the world is depicted as a siren, luring the speaker with its "thrilling strains." However, the speaker recognizes the danger in this and declares, "I will not listen, lest my soul should die." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker is clearly aware of the dangers of giving in to temptation.

In the second stanza, the flesh is portrayed as a serpent, tempting the speaker with "delicious fruit." Once again, the speaker resists, recognizing the danger in giving in to temptation. The line "I will not taste thy poison, lest my soul should die" emphasizes the importance of self-control and discipline.

Finally, in the third stanza, the devil is presented as a lion, ready to devour the speaker. However, once again, the speaker resists, declaring, "I will not fear thee, lest my soul should die." This line is particularly powerful, as it shows the speaker's courage and determination in the face of danger.

Throughout the poem, Rossetti uses vivid imagery and powerful verse to convey the dangers of giving in to temptation. The repetition of the phrase "lest my soul should die" emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and underscores the importance of resisting temptation. The poem is also notable for its use of rhyme and meter, which give the poem a musical quality and make it easy to read and remember.

Interpretation

"The Three Enemies" is a cautionary tale, warning readers of the dangers of pride, selfishness, and temptation. The poem emphasizes the importance of self-control and discipline, and encourages readers to be vigilant in the face of temptation. The poem is also notable for its religious overtones, as it suggests that giving in to temptation can lead to spiritual death.

Overall, "The Three Enemies" is a powerful poem that resonates with readers today as much as it did when it was first written. Its message of self-control and discipline is a timeless one, and its vivid imagery and powerful verse make it a classic of English poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Three Enemies: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Christina Georgina Rossetti

Christina Georgina Rossetti was a prominent poet of the Victorian era, known for her lyrical and melancholic verses. Her poem, "The Three Enemies," is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the inner struggles of the human soul. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of this classic poem.

The poem begins with a powerful opening line, "Love, hope, and faith - these three." These three abstract concepts are the "enemies" that the speaker must confront. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each dedicated to one of these enemies. The first stanza deals with love, the second with hope, and the third with faith.

In the first stanza, the speaker describes love as a "siren voice" that lures us into a false sense of security. Love is portrayed as a deceptive force that blinds us to reality. The speaker warns us that love can lead us astray and cause us to lose sight of what is truly important. The line "Love's touch is death" is particularly striking, as it suggests that love can be a destructive force that can lead to our downfall.

The second stanza deals with hope, which is described as a "fickle friend." Hope is portrayed as a double-edged sword that can either inspire us or disappoint us. The speaker warns us that hope can be a dangerous thing, as it can lead us to believe in things that are not real. The line "Hope's lamp is lit in vain" suggests that hope can be a futile pursuit, as it can lead us to chase after things that are unattainable.

The third and final stanza deals with faith, which is described as a "stern warrior." Faith is portrayed as a steadfast force that can guide us through life's challenges. The speaker suggests that faith is the only enemy that can truly help us overcome the other two enemies. The line "Faith's shield is buckled tight" suggests that faith can protect us from the dangers of love and hope.

The structure of the poem is significant, as it mirrors the progression of the speaker's thoughts. The first stanza is filled with uncertainty and doubt, as the speaker grapples with the dangers of love. The second stanza is more introspective, as the speaker reflects on the nature of hope. The third stanza is the most hopeful, as the speaker suggests that faith can help us overcome our struggles.

The language of the poem is also significant, as it is filled with vivid imagery and metaphors. The use of the word "enemies" to describe love, hope, and faith is particularly striking, as it suggests that these abstract concepts can be just as dangerous as physical enemies. The use of the word "siren" to describe love is also significant, as it suggests that love can be a seductive force that can lead us astray.

The line "Love's touch is death" is perhaps the most powerful line in the poem, as it suggests that love can be a destructive force that can lead to our downfall. The use of the word "touch" is significant, as it suggests that love can be a physical force that can harm us. The line "Hope's lamp is lit in vain" is also significant, as it suggests that hope can be a futile pursuit.

The line "Faith's shield is buckled tight" is perhaps the most hopeful line in the poem, as it suggests that faith can protect us from the dangers of love and hope. The use of the word "shield" is significant, as it suggests that faith can be a protective force that can shield us from harm.

In conclusion, "The Three Enemies" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the inner struggles of the human soul. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each dedicated to one of the three enemies: love, hope, and faith. The language of the poem is filled with vivid imagery and metaphors, which help to convey the speaker's message. The poem is a powerful reminder that love, hope, and faith can be both dangerous and helpful, and that we must be careful to navigate these abstract concepts with caution.

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