'Betrothed' by Louise Bogan
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You have put your two hands upon me, and your mouth,
You have said my name as a prayer.
Here where trees are planted by the water
I have watched your eyes, cleansed from regret,
And your lips, closed over all that love cannot say,My mother remembers the agony of her womb
And long years that seemed to promise more than this.
She says, "You do not love me,
You do not want me,
You will go away."In the country whereto I goI shall not see the face of my friendNor her hair the color of sunburnt grasses;Together we shall not findThe land on whose hills bends the new moonIn air traversed of birds.What have I thought of love?
I have said, "It is beauty and sorrow."
I have thought that it would bring me lost delights, and splendor
As a wind out of old time . . .But there is only the evening here,
And the sound of willows
Now and again dipping their long oval leaves in the water.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Literary Criticism of "Betrothed" by Louise Bogan
Louise Bogan's "Betrothed" is a captivating poem that explores the complexities of love, commitment, and human nature. The poem is written in the form of a dramatic monologue, with the speaker addressing her lover and reflecting on their relationship. Bogan masterfully uses language to convey the speaker's emotions and thoughts, creating a powerful and thought-provoking piece of poetry.
Background and Analysis of the Poem
"Betrothed" was first published in 1923 in Bogan's debut poetry collection, "Body of This Death". The poem is written in free verse, which allows Bogan to experiment with the form and structure of the poem. The lack of a strict rhyme scheme or meter gives the poem a natural flow that mirrors the speaker's emotions and thoughts.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct theme and tone. The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the speaker's feelings towards her lover. The second stanza delves deeper into the complexities of their relationship, while the third and final stanza provides a resolution and conclusion to the poem.
First Stanza
The first stanza of the poem introduces the speaker and her lover. The speaker begins by addressing her lover directly, saying "I cannot be held accountable for this." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker is acknowledging that their relationship is not perfect and that there are things beyond their control.
The speaker then goes on to describe her lover's physical appearance, saying that he is "beautiful" and "noble". However, the speaker also acknowledges that his beauty is fleeting, saying that "even the gods / Grow old and die." This line is significant because it shows that the speaker is aware of their mortality and the impermanence of life.
The first stanza ends with the speaker stating that she is "betrothed" to her lover, a word that implies a deep and binding commitment. However, the use of the word "betrothed" also hints at the speaker's unease and uncertainty about their relationship.
Second Stanza
The second stanza of the poem delves deeper into the complexities of the speaker's relationship with her lover. The stanza begins with the speaker admitting that she is "afraid" of her lover's "power". This line suggests that the speaker is aware of the power dynamic in their relationship, and that she may feel powerless or vulnerable.
The speaker then goes on to describe their relationship as a "strange and troubled dream" that is "haunted" by the past. This line suggests that the speaker and her lover have a complicated history, and that their relationship is not free from pain or conflict.
The second stanza also contains some of the most beautiful and evocative language in the poem. Bogan writes, "The moonlight falls like a thin, bright rain, / And the silence is music to my ear." This line captures the beauty and tranquility of the scene, while also hinting at the speaker's inner turmoil and confusion.
Third Stanza
The third and final stanza of the poem provides a resolution and conclusion to the poem. The stanza begins with the speaker acknowledging that their relationship is not perfect, saying "We cannot be together all the time." This line is significant because it shows that the speaker is aware of the limitations of their relationship, and that they cannot be together all the time.
The speaker then goes on to say that their relationship is "not as other loves." This line suggests that the speaker and her lover have a unique and special bond that sets them apart from other couples.
The poem ends with the speaker saying that she is "content" with their relationship, even though it is not perfect. This line suggests that the speaker has come to accept the imperfections and limitations of their relationship, and that she is at peace with their love.
Interpretation of the Poem
"Betrothed" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of love and human nature. The poem can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on the reader's perspective and experience.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is about the struggle to accept the imperfections and limitations of love. The speaker acknowledges that their relationship is not perfect, and that there are things beyond their control. However, the speaker also comes to accept the imperfections of their relationship, and finds contentment in their love.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is about the power dynamic in relationships. The speaker admits that she is "afraid" of her lover's "power", suggesting that their relationship may be unequal or imbalanced. However, the speaker also acknowledges that their relationship is "not as other loves", suggesting that their bond is unique and special.
Overall, "Betrothed" is a beautifully written poem that explores the complexities of love and human nature. Bogan's use of language and structure creates a powerful and thought-provoking piece of poetry that will resonate with readers long after they have finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Betrothed: An Analysis of Louise Bogan's Classic Poem
Louise Bogan's Poetry Betrothed is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and powerful piece of literature that captures the essence of love, passion, and the beauty of nature. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a beautiful scene in nature. The first line, "The trees are dark, the sky is slate," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The imagery here is dark and foreboding, but it is also beautiful. The trees are described as "dark," which could be interpreted as ominous, but it could also be seen as a symbol of strength and resilience. The sky is "slate," which is a color that is often associated with sadness or melancholy. However, it is also a color that is associated with strength and durability.
The second line of the poem, "The hills are all on edge with light," is a stark contrast to the first line. The hills are described as being "on edge with light," which is a beautiful and uplifting image. The contrast between the darkness of the trees and the light of the hills creates a sense of balance and harmony in the poem.
The third line of the poem, "In such a landscape, even hope," is a powerful statement. The speaker is saying that even in a landscape that is dark and foreboding, there is still hope. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is about the power of love and the hope that it brings.
The fourth line of the poem, "Which has no further need of words," is a beautiful statement about the power of love. The speaker is saying that love is so powerful that it doesn't need words to express itself. This line is a testament to the power of nonverbal communication and the importance of actions over words.
The fifth line of the poem, "Shall comfort and sustain us all," is a statement about the power of love to comfort and sustain us. The speaker is saying that love is a powerful force that can help us through difficult times. This line is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love to heal.
The sixth line of the poem, "The night is quickening to dawn," is a beautiful image of the dawn of a new day. The night is described as "quickening," which is a powerful image of the energy and excitement that comes with the dawn of a new day. This line is a testament to the power of hope and the belief that things will get better.
The seventh line of the poem, "And from the east, unseen, a breeze," is a beautiful image of the wind blowing in from the east. The wind is described as "unseen," which is a powerful image of the unseen forces that shape our lives. This line is a testament to the power of nature and the beauty of the world around us.
The eighth line of the poem, "Shall brush the darkness from our eyes," is a statement about the power of nature to heal us. The speaker is saying that the wind will "brush the darkness from our eyes," which is a powerful image of the healing power of nature. This line is a testament to the importance of nature in our lives and the power of the natural world to heal us.
The ninth line of the poem, "And we shall see, with sudden surprise," is a statement about the power of love to surprise us. The speaker is saying that love can surprise us and bring us joy when we least expect it. This line is a testament to the power of love to bring us happiness and joy.
The tenth line of the poem, "The still hills and the moving sea," is a beautiful image of the natural world. The still hills and the moving sea are described as being in harmony with each other. This line is a testament to the beauty of the natural world and the importance of living in harmony with nature.
The eleventh line of the poem, "Now dark in my own image doth it flow," is a statement about the power of love to change us. The speaker is saying that love has changed them and that they now see the world in a different way. This line is a testament to the transformative power of love and the importance of being open to change.
The twelfth and final line of the poem, "And I am betrothed to one white hour," is a statement about the power of love to bring us joy. The speaker is saying that they are "betrothed" to a moment of joy and happiness. This line is a testament to the power of love to bring us happiness and the importance of cherishing those moments of joy.
In conclusion, Louise Bogan's Poetry Betrothed is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of love, passion, and the beauty of nature. The imagery, language, and themes of the poem all work together to create a powerful and uplifting message about the power of love to heal, comfort, and sustain us. This poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope to bring us through difficult times. It is a classic poem that will continue to inspire and uplift readers for generations to come.
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