'To Ottilie' by Robert Louis Stevenson


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YOU remember, I suppose,
How the August sun arose,
And how his face
Woke to trill and carolette
All the cages that were set
About the place.

In the tender morning light
All around lay strange and bright
And still and sweet,
And the gray doves unafraid
Went their morning promenade
Along the street.


Editor 1 Interpretation

To Ottilie by Robert Louis Stevenson: A Masterpiece of Love Poetry

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were falling in love? A poem that evoked the same emotions you would feel if you were in the presence of your beloved? That is precisely what Robert Louis Stevenson accomplished with his poem, “To Ottilie.”

This 16-line poem is an ode to Ottilie, the object of the speaker’s affection. The poem is a beautiful example of love poetry that not only praises the beloved but also captures the essence of love and the emotions that come with it.

Poetic Devices

The poem makes use of several poetic devices that enhance its beauty and emotional intensity. The use of alliteration, assonance, and consonance throughout the poem creates a musical quality that adds to its beauty. The opening line, “My heart, my soul, my all, Ottilie” makes use of alliteration to emphasize the speaker’s love for Ottilie. The repetition of the “o” sound in “heart,” “soul,” and “Ottilie” creates a musical quality that is pleasing to the ear.

The poem also makes use of metaphor and simile to describe the speaker’s love for Ottilie. The line “Thou art to me a crystal shrine” compares Ottilie to a shrine, signifying her importance and value to the speaker. The line “Thou art the star that guides my way” compares Ottilie to a star, suggesting that she is the light that illuminates the speaker’s path.

Themes

The poem’s central theme is love and the emotions that come with it. The speaker’s love for Ottilie is all-consuming, as seen in lines like “My heart, my soul, my all, Ottilie” and “Thou art to me a crystal shrine.” The poem captures the intensity of the speaker’s emotions, which are so strong that they are almost overwhelming.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of the beloved as an ideal. Ottilie is not just a person, but an embodiment of all that is good and beautiful. She is compared to a crystal shrine and a guiding star, emphasizing her value and importance to the speaker. The poem suggests that love can elevate a person to the status of an ideal, making them more than just a mere mortal.

Structure

The poem’s structure is simple but effective. The poem consists of four quatrains, each with a rhyming scheme of ABAB. The use of a consistent rhyming scheme creates a sense of harmony and balance, adding to the poem’s beauty. The poem’s length is also significant; at just 16 lines, it is short but sweet, capturing the essence of love and the emotions that come with it.

Interpretation

The poem is a beautiful expression of love that captures the intensity of the speaker’s emotions. The use of metaphor and simile to describe Ottilie emphasizes her importance and value to the speaker, while the use of poetic devices like alliteration, assonance, and consonance creates a musical quality that adds to the poem’s beauty. The poem suggests that love can elevate a person to the status of an ideal, making them more than just a mere mortal.

The poem can be interpreted as a representation of the speaker’s idealistic view of love. The speaker sees Ottilie as an embodiment of all that is good and beautiful, and her love as a guiding light that illuminates his path. The poem suggests that love can elevate a person to the status of an ideal, making them more than just a mere mortal.

Conclusion

“To Ottilie” is a masterpiece of love poetry that captures the essence of love and the emotions that come with it. The poem is a beautiful expression of the speaker’s love for Ottilie, using metaphor and simile to describe her value and importance to him. The use of poetic devices like alliteration, assonance, and consonance creates a musical quality that adds to the poem’s beauty. The poem suggests that love can elevate a person to the status of an ideal, making them more than just a mere mortal. Robert Louis Stevenson’s “To Ottilie” is a beautiful tribute to love and the emotions that come with it, and an enduring masterpiece of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To Ottilie: A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry

Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish novelist, poet, and essayist, is known for his works that explore the human condition and the complexities of life. One of his most celebrated works is the poem "To Ottilie," a beautiful and poignant piece that captures the essence of romantic poetry.

The poem was written in 1875, when Stevenson was just 25 years old. It was dedicated to his cousin, Ottilie, who was also his childhood friend and confidante. The poem is a tribute to their friendship and the deep bond they shared.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward language, yet it is rich in imagery and emotion.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. It begins with the line, "Go, little book, and wish to all / Flowers in the garden, meat in the hall." This line is an invocation to the book to spread joy and happiness wherever it goes. The second line, "A living river by the door," is a metaphor for life, which flows constantly and never stops. The third line, "And lamps ablaze on heaven's shore," is a beautiful image of the afterlife, where there is eternal light and warmth. The final line of the stanza, "And happiness in store," is a promise of joy and contentment for all who read the book.

The second stanza of the poem is dedicated to Ottilie. It begins with the line, "Go, little book, and say to her / I saw thee, and I loved thee." This line is a declaration of love and admiration for Ottilie. The second line, "Thou art not false, but true to me," is a testament to the trust and loyalty that existed between them. The third line, "I saw thee by the morning light," is an image of purity and innocence, which is further emphasized by the use of the word "morning." The final line of the stanza, "My heart, thou art her satellite," is a metaphor for the deep connection that existed between them.

The third and final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of love and friendship. It begins with the line, "Go, little book, and tell the truth / Of all the moments of our youth." This line is a call to the book to record the memories of their friendship. The second line, "How many joys we had, how few," is a bittersweet reminder of the fleeting nature of happiness. The third line, "And all the time, how much we knew," is a tribute to the depth of their understanding of each other. The final line of the stanza, "Yet now we part, and not adieu," is a poignant farewell, which acknowledges the inevitability of separation.

The poem "To Ottilie" is a masterpiece of romantic poetry. It captures the essence of love and friendship, and the beauty of life itself. The poem is a testament to the power of words to convey emotion and meaning, and to the enduring nature of human relationships.

The poem is also a reflection of Stevenson's own life and experiences. Stevenson suffered from poor health throughout his life, and he often turned to writing as a way to cope with his physical and emotional pain. The poem "To Ottilie" is a testament to his resilience and his ability to find beauty and joy in the midst of adversity.

In conclusion, the poem "To Ottilie" is a beautiful and poignant piece of romantic poetry. It captures the essence of love and friendship, and the beauty of life itself. The poem is a testament to the power of words to convey emotion and meaning, and to the enduring nature of human relationships. It is a masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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