'LXXI The Choice, I' by Dante Gabriel Rossetti
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Eat thou and drink; to-morrow thou shalt die.
Surely the earth, that's wise being very old,
Needs not our help. Then loose me, love, and hold
Thy sultry hair up from my face; that I
May pour for thee this golden wine, brim-high,
Till round the glass thy fingers glow like gold.
We'll drown all hours: thy song, while hours are toll'd,
Shall leap, as fountains veil the changing sky.
Now kiss, and think that there are really those,
My own high-bosom'd beauty, who increase
Vain gold, vain lore, and yet might choose our way!
Through many years they toil; then on a day
They die not,--for their life was death,--but cease;
And round their narrow lips the mould falls close.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Beauty and Complexity of Dante Gabriel Rossetti's "The Choice, I"
Dante Gabriel Rossetti is a poet renowned for his romanticism, symbolism and pre-Raphaelite style. In his poem, "The Choice, I", he presents a depiction of love and its complications. The poem is a beautiful masterpiece that is rich in symbolism and imagery. It is a poem that captures the essence of love and the dilemmas that lovers face. This literary criticism and interpretation will explore the beauty and complexity of Rossetti's "The Choice, I".
Overview of "The Choice, I"
"The Choice, I" is a poem that consists of four stanzas, with each stanza having four lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The poem is a soliloquy, with a person speaking about their love and the choices that they have to make. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on the speaker's love for their lover and the second part focusing on the dilemma that they face.
Analysis of "The Choice, I"
Imagery and Symbolism
Rossetti is renowned for his use of symbolism and imagery in his poetry. In "The Choice, I", he uses various symbols and imagery to convey the speaker's emotions and thoughts. The first stanza of the poem is rich in imagery, with the speaker describing their lover's eyes as "bright as starlight on a sea of glass". This image portrays the beauty and purity of the speaker's lover. The use of starlight and sea of glass creates a serene and peaceful atmosphere, which is a reflection of the speaker's feelings towards their lover.
In the second stanza, Rossetti uses the image of a rose to symbolize the speaker's love. The speaker states that they have "plucked a rose and held it to my face". The rose represents the speaker's love, which they hold close to their heart. The rose is a symbol of love and beauty, and its use in the poem serves to reinforce the speaker's emotions.
Themes
The poem explores various themes, including love, beauty, and choice. Love is the underlying theme of the poem, with the speaker describing their love for their lover in the first stanza. The speaker's love is portrayed as pure and sincere, with the use of imagery and symbolism serving to reinforce this theme.
The theme of beauty is also explored in the poem, with the speaker describing their lover as being "fair". Beauty is an essential theme in Rossetti's work, and its use in the poem serves to create a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
The theme of choice is also explored in the poem, with the speaker facing a dilemma. The speaker is torn between staying with their lover or leaving them. This theme is central to the poem, with the speaker's decision having a significant impact on their life.
Tone and Mood
The tone and mood of the poem are reflective and contemplative. The speaker's soliloquy creates a sense of intimacy, with the reader being privy to the speaker's thoughts and emotions. The mood of the poem is tranquil and peaceful, with the use of imagery and symbolism serving to create a serene atmosphere.
Structure
The poem is structured in a way that creates a sense of unity. The use of iambic tetrameter and a rhyme scheme of ABAB serves to create a musical quality to the poem. The repetition of the rhyme scheme creates a sense of unity, with each stanza being interconnected.
Interpretation
"The Choice, I" is a poem that explores the complexities of love and the dilemmas that lovers face. The poem is a reflection of Rossetti's romanticism and pre-Raphaelite style, with the use of imagery and symbolism serving to reinforce the themes of love, beauty, and choice.
The use of imagery and symbolism in the poem serves to create a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The speaker's soliloquy creates a sense of intimacy, with the reader being privy to the speaker's thoughts and emotions. The use of iambic tetrameter and a rhyme scheme of ABAB serves to create a musical quality to the poem.
The poem's central theme is choice, with the speaker facing a dilemma. The speaker is torn between staying with their lover or leaving them. The poem serves as a reflection of the difficulties that lovers face when making choices that will impact their lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Choice, I" is a beautiful and complex poem that explores the complexities of love and the dilemmas that lovers face. The poem is a reflection of Rossetti's romanticism and pre-Raphaelite style, with the use of imagery and symbolism serving to reinforce the themes of love, beauty, and choice. The poem's central theme of choice serves as a reflection of the difficulties that lovers face when making choices that will impact their lives. "The Choice, I" is a masterpiece that is a testament to Rossetti's skill as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dante Gabriel Rossetti is one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, and his works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of his most famous poems, "The Choice," is a beautiful and haunting exploration of love, loss, and the difficult decisions we must make in life.
At its core, "The Choice" is a poem about a woman who must choose between two lovers. The speaker of the poem, presumably the woman herself, is torn between her love for a man who has left her and her growing feelings for another man who is still present in her life. The poem is structured as a series of questions and answers, as the speaker tries to make sense of her conflicting emotions and decide which path to take.
The first stanza sets the stage for the poem, introducing the speaker and her dilemma. She begins by asking herself, "What am I to do with this heart of mine?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker struggles to reconcile her feelings and make a choice. She goes on to describe her two lovers: the first is "far away," and she has "lost him" to some unknown circumstance. The second is "nearer," and she is "half afraid" of her growing feelings for him. This stanza sets up the central conflict of the poem: the speaker must choose between a love that is lost and a love that is still within reach.
The second stanza is a meditation on the nature of love and loss. The speaker asks herself, "What is the use of the heart?" and wonders why we bother to love at all, knowing that we will inevitably experience pain and loss. She describes her lost love as a "ghost" who haunts her thoughts and memories, and wonders if she will ever be able to forget him. This stanza is a poignant reflection on the human experience of love and loss, and the ways in which our emotions can both enrich and torment us.
The third stanza is a turning point in the poem, as the speaker begins to consider the possibility of a new love. She asks herself, "What is the use of the heart?" and wonders if she should take a chance on the man who is still present in her life. She describes him as "nearer," and admits that she is "half afraid" of her growing feelings for him. This stanza is a moment of vulnerability for the speaker, as she begins to open herself up to the possibility of a new love.
The fourth stanza is a reflection on the difficulty of making a choice. The speaker asks herself, "What is the use of the heart?" and wonders if she will ever be able to make a decision. She describes herself as "tossed" between her two lovers, and admits that she is "weary" of the struggle. This stanza is a reminder that love is not always easy, and that sometimes we must make difficult choices in order to find happiness.
The fifth stanza is a moment of clarity for the speaker, as she realizes that she must choose between her two lovers. She asks herself, "What is the use of the heart?" and decides that she must follow her feelings for the man who is still present in her life. She describes him as "nearer," and admits that she is "half afraid" of her growing feelings for him. This stanza is a moment of resolution for the speaker, as she finally makes a choice and decides to take a chance on a new love.
The final stanza is a reflection on the consequences of the speaker's choice. She asks herself, "What is the use of the heart?" and wonders if she will ever be able to forget her lost love. She admits that she will always carry a "wound" in her heart, but also acknowledges that she has found a new love that brings her joy and happiness. This stanza is a bittersweet reflection on the complexities of love and the choices we must make in order to find happiness.
Overall, "The Choice" is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the complexities of love and loss. Through its series of questions and answers, the poem captures the emotional turmoil of a woman who must choose between two lovers and the difficult decisions we must make in life. Rossetti's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem's themes continue to resonate with readers today.
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