'A Virginal' by Ezra Pound
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No, no! Go from me. I have left her lately.
I will not spoil my sheath with lesser brightness,
For my surrounding air hath a new lightness;
Slight are her arms, yet they have bound me straitly
And left me cloaked as with a gauze of aether;
As with sweet leaves; as with subtle clearness.
Oh, I have picked up magic in her hearness
To sheathe me half in half the things that sheathe her.
No, no! Go from me. I have still the flavour,
Soft as spring wind that's come from birchen bowers.
Green come the shoots, aye April in the branches,
As winter's wound with her sleight hand she staunches,
Hath of the trees a likeness of the savour:
As white their bark, so white this lady's hours.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Virginal: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Metaphor by Ezra Pound
Have you ever come across a poem that leaves you spellbound with its richness of imagery and metaphor? If not, then you need to read "A Virginal" by Ezra Pound, one of the greatest poets of the modernist movement. First published in 1913, this poem is a perfect example of Pound's style, which is marked by his use of classical allusions, free verse, and imagism. In this article, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by Pound to convey his message.
Overview of the Poem
"A Virginal" is a short poem consisting of only fourteen lines, divided into three stanzas. The poem's title, "A Virginal," refers to a medieval stringed instrument, popular in Europe during the Renaissance era. However, the poem's meaning goes beyond the literal reference to the instrument. Instead, Pound uses it as a metaphor for a woman's body and sexuality.
Analysis of the Poem
Stanza One
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone and introduces the central metaphor of the poem. The opening line, "No, no! Go from me. I have left her lately," portrays the speaker's emotional state as he pleads with the person he is addressing to leave him alone. The use of the exclamation marks and the repetition of "no" creates a sense of urgency and desperation in the speaker's voice.
The second line, "I will not spoil my sheath with lesser brightness," is a metaphorical reference to the speaker's sexual urge. The "sheath" here refers to the virginal, which the speaker sees as a symbol of his lover's virginity. The metaphor implies that the speaker wants to preserve the purity of his lover's body, and he cannot do that with anyone else but her.
The third line, "My mouth lacks eloquence to praise her," indicates that the speaker is unable to express his feelings adequately. The use of the word "eloquence" suggests that the speaker lacks the rhetorical skills to do justice to his lover's beauty.
Stanza Two
The second stanza of the poem is where the imagery comes to the fore. The opening line, "Ah, she is fair," creates an image of the speaker gazing upon his lover's beauty. The use of the interjection "ah" expresses the speaker's admiration and awe at his lover's beauty.
The second line, "What comes from her is aught save death," is a metaphorical reference to the danger that the speaker perceives in his lover's sexuality. The use of the word "death" creates a sense of danger and finality that underscores the theme of mortality in the poem.
The third line, "A snake's small eye blinks dullardly," is a simile that compares the speaker's lover to a snake. The use of the word "dullardly" suggests that the speaker perceives his lover as being dull-witted or lacking in intelligence.
Stanza Three
The third and final stanza of the poem is where the metaphor of the virginal is most apparent. The opening line, "Desiring that man's gift should come," refers to the speaker's desire to consummate his relationship with his lover. The use of the word "gift" here refers to the sexual act, which the speaker sees as a gift from his lover.
The second line, "The giver, not the gift, pleases," is a metaphorical reference to the speaker's appreciation of his lover's body and sexuality. The use of the word "giver" emphasizes the importance of the person who is giving the gift, rather than the gift itself.
The final line, "Let her, if she will, be the one remembered," is a plea by the speaker to be remembered by his lover. The use of the word "remembered" suggests that the speaker wants to be immortalized in his lover's memory, even if their relationship is fleeting.
Literary Devices
Pound's use of literary devices is evident throughout the poem. Below are some of the most prominent ones:
Imagery and Metaphor
The poem is rich in imagery and metaphor, which is used to convey the speaker's feelings towards his lover. The metaphor of the virginal is the most prominent one, and it is used to symbolize the speaker's lover's body and sexuality.
Personification
The poem includes the personification of the virginal, which is described as having "lesser brightness." The personification creates a sense of the virginal having a life of its own, with its own emotions and desires.
Simile
The use of the simile "A snake's small eye blinks dullardly" is an effective comparison that underscores the theme of danger and mortality in the poem.
Repetition
The repetition of the word "no" in the first line of the poem creates a sense of urgency and desperation in the speaker's voice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Virginal" is a masterpiece of imagery and metaphor that showcases Pound's skill as a poet. The poem's use of the virginal as a metaphor for a woman's body and sexuality is both powerful and evocative. Pound's use of literary devices such as personification, simile, and repetition further enhances the poem's impact. The poem's theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of love is timeless and universal, making "A Virginal" a classic that will continue to be appreciated by generations of readers.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ezra Pound's "A Virginal" is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts alike. The poem is a beautiful and intricate piece of work that showcases Pound's mastery of language and poetic form. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's structure, themes, and literary devices to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. Pound's sonnet follows the traditional rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with each line consisting of ten syllables. The poem's structure is significant because it allows Pound to convey his message in a concise and structured manner. The sonnet form also adds to the poem's beauty and elegance, making it a perfect fit for the poem's subject matter.
The poem's title, "A Virginal," refers to a type of musical instrument that was popular in the Renaissance era. The virginal was a keyboard instrument that was similar to a harpsichord. The title is significant because it sets the tone for the poem and gives the reader a sense of the poem's time period and subject matter.
The poem's first quatrain sets the scene and introduces the speaker's perspective. The speaker describes the virginal as a "maid" who is "mute and silvern." The use of personification in this quatrain is significant because it gives the virginal human-like qualities and makes it more relatable to the reader. The speaker also describes the virginal as "dumb" and "unstrung," which creates a sense of anticipation and sets up the poem's central theme of music and its power to evoke emotion.
In the second quatrain, the speaker describes the act of playing the virginal. The speaker describes the "fingers" that "hover" over the keys and the "breath" that is held in anticipation. This description creates a sense of tension and excitement, as the reader can imagine the anticipation and excitement of playing the instrument. The speaker also describes the "soul" that is "borne" on the music, which highlights the power of music to evoke emotion and transport the listener to another place.
The third quatrain continues the theme of music's power to evoke emotion. The speaker describes the "soul" that is "borne" on the music as being "rapt" and "enchanted." This description creates a sense of wonder and awe, as the reader can imagine the transformative power of music. The speaker also describes the "soul" as being "lifted up" and "borne away," which creates a sense of transcendence and spiritual elevation.
The final couplet of the poem brings the themes of the poem together and provides a sense of closure. The speaker describes the "soul" as being "lost" in the music, which highlights the transformative power of music. The speaker also describes the "soul" as being "one with" the music, which creates a sense of unity and harmony. The final line of the poem, "O virgin, white as wandering snow," brings the poem full circle and reinforces the poem's title and subject matter.
Throughout the poem, Pound uses a variety of literary devices to enhance the poem's meaning and beauty. The use of personification, as mentioned earlier, gives the virginal human-like qualities and makes it more relatable to the reader. The use of imagery, such as the "fingers" that "hover" over the keys and the "breath" that is held in anticipation, creates a sense of tension and excitement. The use of metaphor, such as the "soul" that is "borne" on the music, highlights the transformative power of music.
In conclusion, Ezra Pound's "A Virginal" is a beautiful and intricate poem that showcases Pound's mastery of language and poetic form. The poem's structure, themes, and literary devices all work together to create a sense of wonder and awe at the transformative power of music. The poem's title, "A Virginal," sets the tone for the poem and gives the reader a sense of the poem's time period and subject matter. Overall, "A Virginal" is a classic poem that continues to inspire and captivate readers today.
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