'Honour 's Martyr' by Emily Jane Brontë
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The moon is full this winter night;
The stars are clear, though few;
And every window glistens bright,
With leaves of frozen dew.
The sweet moon through your lattice gleams
And lights your room like day;
And there you pass, in happy dreams,
The peaceful hours away!
While I, with effort hardly quelling
The anguish in my breast,
Wander about the silent dwelling,
And cannot think of rest.
The old clock in the gloomy hall
Ticks on, from hour to hour;
And every time its measured call
Seems lingering slow and slower:
And oh, how slow that keen-eyed star
Has tracked the chilly grey!
What, watching yet! how very far
The morning lies away!
Without your chamber door I stand;
Love, are you slumbering still?
My cold heart, underneath my hand,
Has almost ceased to thrill.
Bleak, bleak the east wind sobs and sighs,
And drowns the turret bell,
Whose sad note, undistinguished, dies
Unheard, like my farewell!
To-morrow, Scorn will blight my name,
And Hate will trample me,
Will load me with a coward's shame?
A traitor's perjury.
False friends will launch their covert sneers;
True friends will wish me dead;
And I shall cause the bitterest tears
That you have ever shed.
The dark deeds of my outlawed race
Will then like virtues shine;
And men will pardon their disgrace,
Beside the guilt of mine.
For, who forgives the accursed crime
Of dastard treachery?
Rebellion, in its chosen time,
May Freedom's champion be;
Revenge may stain a righteous sword,
It may be just to slay;
But, traitor, traitor, from that word
All true breasts shrink away!
Oh, I would give my heart to death,
To keep my honour fair;
Yet, I'll not give my inward faith
My honour's name to spare!
Not even to keep your priceless love,
Dare I, Beloved, deceive;
This treason should the future prove,
Then, only then, believe!
I know the path I ought to go;
I follow fearlessly,
Inquiring not what deeper woe
Stern duty stores for me.
So foes pursue, and cold allies
Mistrust me, every one:
Let me be false in others' eyes,
If faithful in my own.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Honour's Martyr by Emily Jane Brontë
4000-word literary criticism and interpretation
Emily Jane Brontë was a nineteenth-century English poet and novelist, famous for her novel Wuthering Heights. However, her poetry deserves equal attention, and one of her lesser-known yet remarkable poems is Honour's Martyr. The poem revolves around themes of betrayal, honor, and death, and Brontë's use of language and imagery create a haunting atmosphere. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze Emily Brontë's Honour's Martyr and explore its themes, structure, language, and imagery.
Themes
At its core, Honour's Martyr is a poem about betrayal and its consequences. The protagonist of the poem is a knight who has been betrayed by his love interest. The betrayal leads to his death, and he becomes a martyr for honor. The poem explores the concept of honor and how it can lead to sacrifice, often in the face of betrayal.
The poem also touches on the themes of love and passion. The knight's love for his lady is the driving force behind his actions, even when he realizes she has betrayed him. The poem suggests that love and passion can be both a source of great joy and great pain.
Another theme that is evident in the poem is the idea of martyrdom. The knight is a martyr for honor, and his death is celebrated as a victory for the concept of honor. The poem suggests that the concept of honor is worth dying for, and that martyrdom is a noble pursuit.
Structure
Honour's Martyr is a ballad, which is a narrative poem that tells a story. The poem is structured in four-line stanzas, with the rhyme scheme ABAB. This creates a musical quality to the poem, as each stanza flows into the next.
The poem is also structured in a way that creates a sense of progression. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the protagonist. The second stanza reveals the betrayal, and the third stanza describes the knight's death. The final stanza serves as a conclusion, reflecting on the knight's sacrifice.
Language
One of the most striking aspects of Honour's Martyr is the language that Emily Brontë uses. The language is poetic and evocative, creating a vivid picture of the knight's story.
The opening lines of the poem set the scene and immediately create a sense of foreboding:
The moon is full this winter night;
The stars are clear, though few;
And every window glistens bright,
With leaves of frozen dew.
These lines create a sense of coldness and loneliness, setting the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the moon and stars also creates a sense of timelessness, suggesting that the events of the poem are part of a larger narrative.
The language used to describe the betrayal is particularly powerful:
But hark! a rattle of the latch!
And, lo! the door thrown wide!
In every agitated patch
Of moonlight, seemed to glide
The use of exclamation marks and the repetition of "lo!" and "seemed to glide" creates a sense of urgency and fear. The language is also very visual, with the moonlight creating patches of light that highlight the movement of the betrayer.
The descriptions of the knight's death are equally powerful, with Brontë using language that creates a sense of violence and finality:
But hush! hark! a deep sound strikes like a rising knell!
Did ever voice so mournfully
From wasted heart-strings swell?
The use of "hush!" and "hark!" creates a sense of stillness, followed by the deep sound that creates a sense of finality. The use of "rising knell" suggests that the knight's death is not only a personal tragedy but a larger event that will affect others.
Imagery
The imagery in Honour's Martyr is rich and evocative, creating a vivid picture of the knight's story. The use of moonlight and stars creates a sense of timelessness and sets the scene for the events of the poem. The frozen dew on the windows creates a sense of coldness and isolation, reflecting the knight's emotional state.
The betrayal is described in visual terms, with the betrayer seeming to glide through the moonlight. The use of visual imagery creates a sense of fear and urgency, as the knight realizes he has been betrayed.
The descriptions of the knight's death are also rich in imagery, with the sound of his heartstrings breaking creating a sense of violence and finality. The use of the rising knell creates a sense of a larger event, suggesting that the knight's death will have an impact beyond his immediate circle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Emily Brontë's Honour's Martyr is a powerful poem that explores the themes of betrayal, honor, and martyrdom. The structure of the poem creates a sense of progression, while the language and imagery used by Brontë create a vivid picture of the knight's story. The poem is a testament to Brontë's skill as a poet and her ability to create a haunting atmosphere that lingers in the reader's mind. Honour's Martyr is a poem that deserves to be studied and appreciated for its literary and poetic merits.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Honour's Martyr: A Masterpiece of Emily Brontë
Emily Brontë, the author of the classic novel Wuthering Heights, was also a talented poet. Her poem Honour's Martyr is a masterpiece that showcases her poetic prowess. The poem is a powerful exploration of the themes of love, sacrifice, and honour. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the author.
The poem is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of Honour's Martyr is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable. This gives the poem a rhythmic flow that adds to its beauty.
The poem's title, Honour's Martyr, sets the tone for the entire piece. The word "martyr" suggests sacrifice and suffering, while "honour" implies a sense of dignity and respect. The poem's opening lines immediately establish the theme of sacrifice:
"Through suffering and sorrow thou hast passed To show us what a woman's heart is like; And, in thy martyrdom, thou hast amassed A glory that shall never fade or strike."
The speaker is addressing a woman who has suffered greatly and has become a martyr. The woman's sacrifice has given her a glory that will never fade. The poem's use of the word "martyrdom" suggests that the woman has given her life for a cause or a belief. The speaker is acknowledging the woman's sacrifice and honouring her for it.
The poem's second quatrain explores the theme of love:
"Thou hast loved much, and therefore art forgiven; Thou hast done well, and therefore shalt not die; Thou hast borne much, and therefore shalt live on, In thy bright fame, when all thy woes are gone."
The speaker is suggesting that the woman's love has saved her. The woman has loved much, and therefore she is forgiven. The use of the word "forgiven" suggests that the woman has done something wrong, but her love has redeemed her. The speaker is also suggesting that the woman's love has given her eternal life. The woman's bright fame will live on long after her suffering has ended.
The poem's third quatrain explores the theme of honour:
"Thou hast been true, when all around was false; Thou hast been strong, when all around was weak; And now, that thou hast won the victor's crown, Thou hast become the honour of thy sex."
The speaker is acknowledging the woman's honour and strength. The woman has been true when everyone else was false, and she has been strong when everyone else was weak. The use of the word "crown" suggests that the woman has achieved something great. The woman's victory has made her the honour of her sex. The speaker is suggesting that the woman's sacrifice has elevated her to a position of honour and respect.
The poem's final couplet concludes the piece:
"Thou hast not died in vain; thy memory Shall be a guiding light to all who see."
The speaker is suggesting that the woman's sacrifice has not been in vain. The woman's memory will be a guiding light to all who see. The use of the word "guiding light" suggests that the woman's sacrifice has a purpose. The woman's sacrifice will inspire others to follow in her footsteps.
The poem's structure and literary devices add to its beauty and power. The poem's use of iambic pentameter gives it a rhythmic flow that adds to its beauty. The poem's rhyme scheme adds to its musicality. The poem's use of imagery, such as "bright fame" and "guiding light," adds to its power. The poem's use of repetition, such as "thou hast," adds to its emphasis.
In conclusion, Honour's Martyr is a masterpiece of Emily Brontë. The poem explores the themes of love, sacrifice, and honour. The poem's structure and literary devices add to its beauty and power. The poem's use of iambic pentameter, rhyme scheme, imagery, and repetition all contribute to its effectiveness. Honour's Martyr is a testament to Emily Brontë's poetic talent and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience.
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