'The Cloud Confines' by Dante Gabriel Rossetti


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The day is dark and the night
To him that would search their heart;
No lips of cloud that will part
Nor morning song in the light:
Only, gazing alone,
To him wild shadows are shown,
Deep under deep unknown
And height above unknown height.
Still we say as we go,--
"Strange to think by the way,
Whatever there is to know,
That shall we know one day."

The Past is over and fled;
Nam'd new, we name it the old;
Thereof some tale hath been told,
But no word comes from the dead;
Whether at all they be,
Or whether as bond or free,
Or whether they too were we,
Or by what spell they have sped.
Still we say as we go,--
"Strange to think by the way,
Whatever there is to know,
That shall we know one day."

What of the heart of hate
That beats in thy breast, O Time?--
Red strife from the furthest prime,
And anguish of fierce debate;
War that shatters her slain,
And peace that grinds them as grain,
And eyes fix'd ever in vain
On the pitiless eyes of Fate.
Still we say as we go,--
"Strange to think by the way,
Whatever there is to know,
That shall we know one day."

What of the heart of love
That bleeds in thy breast, O Man?--
Thy kisses snatch'd 'neath the ban
Of fangs that mock them above;
Thy bells prolong'd unto knells,
Thy hope that a breath dispels,
Thy bitter forlorn farewells
And the empty echoes thereof?
Still we say as we go,--
"Strange to think by the way,
Whatever there is to know,
That shall we know one day."

The sky leans dumb on the sea,
Aweary with all its wings;
And oh! the song the sea sings
Is dark everlastingly.
Our past is clean forgot,
Our present is and is not,
Our future's a seal'd seedplot,
And what betwixt them are we?--
We who say as we go,--
"Strange to think by the way,
Whatever there is to know,
That shall we know one day."


Editor 1 Interpretation

The Cloud Confines by Dante Gabriel Rossetti: A Critical Interpretation

Dante Gabriel Rossetti, one of the most prominent members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, was a poet and painter who left an indelible mark on the world of art and literature. His poem, "The Cloud Confines," is regarded as one of his finest works, and rightly so. In this essay, I am going to provide an in-depth analysis and interpretation of this poem, exploring its themes, symbolism, and style.

Overview of the Poem

"The Cloud Confines" is a sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines, written in iambic pentameter. The poem describes the beauty of a cloud, but also its fragility and transience. The speaker, who is clearly enchanted by the cloud, expresses his admiration for it, but also his fear that it might disappear at any moment.

The Theme of Transience

The theme of transience runs throughout the poem. The cloud, which is the subject of the poem, is a metaphor for all things that are beautiful, but fleeting. The speaker is acutely aware of the fact that the cloud will not last forever, and this knowledge fills him with a sense of melancholy. He says:

And yet it shall be that the sun will set, And fearful birds will settle down in rest; And shadows will the eastern hill o'erget, And breezes fold the lily in her nest.

These lines convey the idea that everything in life is impermanent, and that even the most beautiful things will eventually come to an end. The cloud is a symbol of the transience of life, and the speaker's fear that it will disappear reflects a fear of mortality.

The Power of Nature

Nature is a powerful force in "The Cloud Confines." The cloud is described in terms of its natural beauty, and the speaker is clearly in awe of it. He says:

Oh, wondrous cloud! high floating in the sky, The herald-bearer of the dawn of day!

These lines convey the idea that nature has the power to inspire wonder and awe in us. The cloud, with its beauty and grace, is a reminder of the power and majesty of nature.

The Symbolism of the Cloud

The cloud is a powerful symbol in the poem. It represents both the beauty and the transience of life. The speaker is amazed by the cloud's beauty, but also aware of its fragility. The cloud is a metaphor for all things that are beautiful but fleeting, such as youth, love, and happiness. The speaker's fear that the cloud will disappear at any moment reflects a fear of losing these things.

The Style of the Poem

"The Cloud Confines" is written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a regular rhythm and a sense of order. The use of rhyme and repetition also contributes to the poem's musicality. The language is rich and evocative, with vivid imagery and metaphors. The poem is a fine example of Rossetti's skill as a poet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Cloud Confines" is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of transience, the power of nature, and the symbolism of the cloud. The poet's use of language and imagery evoke a sense of wonder and awe, and the poem is a testament to Rossetti's skill as a poet. The cloud, with its beauty and fragility, is a powerful metaphor for life, and the speaker's fear of losing it reflects a fear of mortality. Overall, "The Cloud Confines" is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to captivate readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Cloud Confines: A Masterpiece of Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Dante Gabriel Rossetti, one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era, is known for his unique style of poetry that blends romanticism with symbolism. His poem, The Cloud Confines, is a perfect example of his poetic genius. The poem is a beautiful and intricate piece of literature that explores the themes of love, nature, and the human condition. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a cloud that is "lonely" and "wandering." The cloud is personified as a living being, and the speaker describes it as if it were a lost soul searching for its place in the world. The cloud is "restless" and "vainly" seeks to find its way, but it is confined by the "blue air" that surrounds it. The blue air is a symbol of the limitations that the cloud faces, and it represents the constraints that humans face in their lives.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of love. The speaker describes how the cloud "yearns" for something that it cannot have. The cloud is "pale" and "passionate," and it longs for the "warmth" of the sun. The sun is a symbol of love and happiness, and the cloud's desire for it represents the human desire for love and companionship. The cloud's yearning is described as "vain," which suggests that the speaker believes that the cloud's desire for love is futile.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the theme of nature. The speaker describes how the cloud is "tossed" and "driven" by the wind. The wind is a symbol of the natural forces that shape our lives, and the cloud's movement represents the unpredictability of nature. The speaker describes how the cloud is "whirled" and "swayed" by the wind, which suggests that humans are also at the mercy of the natural forces that surround them.

The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the theme of love. The speaker describes how the cloud is "haunted" by the memory of the sun. The memory of the sun represents the memory of love, and the cloud's haunting suggests that the memory of love can be both beautiful and painful. The speaker describes how the cloud is "faint" and "fleeting," which suggests that the memory of love is fragile and can easily be lost.

The fifth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of the human condition. The speaker describes how the cloud is "weary" and "worn." The cloud's weariness represents the fatigue that humans feel when they are faced with the challenges of life. The speaker describes how the cloud is "fading" and "faltering," which suggests that humans can also lose their strength and resilience when faced with adversity.

The final stanza of the poem returns to the theme of nature. The speaker describes how the cloud is "sinking" and "dying." The cloud's death represents the inevitability of death for all living things. The speaker describes how the cloud is "lost" and "forgotten," which suggests that humans can also be forgotten after they die.

In conclusion, The Cloud Confines is a beautiful and intricate poem that explores the themes of love, nature, and the human condition. The poem is a perfect example of Dante Gabriel Rossetti's poetic genius, and it is a testament to his ability to blend romanticism with symbolism. The poem is a reminder that humans are at the mercy of the natural forces that surround them, and that love and companionship are essential for a fulfilling life. The Cloud Confines is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry, and it will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.

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