'Song' by Christina Georgina Rossetti


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When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain:
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget.


Editor 1 Interpretation

"Poetry, Song" by Christina Georgina Rossetti: A Deep Dive into the Inner World of Romanticism

Have you ever felt a deep longing for something unattainable? Have you ever found yourself lost in a sea of emotions and thoughts, unable to express them in words? The classic poem "Poetry, Song" by Christina Georgina Rossetti is a vivid expression of the inner world of Romanticism, exploring themes of love, desire, and the power of language.

Background

Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894) was a Victorian poet who is widely regarded as one of the greatest female poets of the 19th century. She was born into an artistic family, with her father being a poet and her brother, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, being a prominent member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Her poetry is known for its lyrical quality, intense emotions, and use of religious and mythological imagery.

"Poetry, Song" was first published in Rossetti's collection "Goblin Market and Other Poems" in 1862. It is a short, four-stanza poem that explores the relationship between poetry and the human experience.

Interpretation

The poem begins with the speaker addressing poetry as a personified entity, saying "Oh, plunge thyself in deepest seas/Or hide in mountain shades." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker is asking poetry to do something that is impossible for a physical being. The use of hyperbole here emphasizes the power of poetry to transcend physical boundaries and reach the depths of human emotion.

The second stanza continues this idea, with the speaker saying, "Take any shape but that, and I/Consume myself away." Here, the speaker is expressing their desire to escape from their current state of being, to become something else entirely. This desire for transformation is a common theme in Romantic poetry, with poets often using natural imagery to symbolize the idea of rebirth and renewal.

In the third stanza, the speaker asks poetry to take the form of a song, saying "Sing till I am heart-sick of song." This is a powerful image, as it suggests that the speaker is already consumed by their emotions and desires, and that poetry is the only thing that can satisfy them. The use of the word "heart-sick" emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's emotions, suggesting that they are experiencing a kind of emotional overload.

Finally, in the fourth stanza, the speaker addresses poetry directly, saying, "And poetry, still choose to be/Silent amid her throng." This is a complex image, as it suggests that poetry is choosing to remain silent in the face of human emotion, despite its power to communicate those emotions. This could be interpreted as a critique of poetry itself, suggesting that it is not fulfilling its true purpose.

Analysis

"Poetry, Song" is a complex poem that explores the relationship between poetry and the human experience. The use of personification is a powerful tool, as it emphasizes the idea that poetry is not just a collection of words, but a living, breathing entity that has the power to transform and inspire.

The theme of desire is also prominent in the poem, with the speaker expressing their longing for something that is unattainable. This desire is not necessarily for a physical object or person, but rather for a state of being that is beyond the limits of human experience. This is a common theme in Romantic poetry, with poets often exploring the idea of transcendence and the search for a higher truth.

The use of natural imagery is also notable in the poem, with the speaker using the ocean and mountains to symbolize the idea of transformation and renewal. This is a common motif in Romantic poetry, with poets often using images of nature to explore the inner world of human emotion.

Finally, the poem is notable for its use of language, with Rossetti using a lyrical, musical style to convey the power of poetry. The use of repetition, as in the phrase "Plunge in thyself" in the first stanza, emphasizes the intensity of the speaker's emotions, while the use of rhyme and rhythm creates a sense of musicality that reinforces the idea of poetry as a form of song.

Conclusion

"Poetry, Song" is a powerful exploration of the inner world of Romanticism, using the tools of poetry to explore themes of desire, transformation, and the power of language. Rossetti's use of personification, natural imagery, and musical language creates a vivid and evocative picture of the human experience, reminding us of the enduring power of poetry to inspire and transform.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Song by Christina Georgina Rossetti is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of poetry and its power to evoke emotions and feelings in the reader. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line, "Oh, plunge thyself in deepest seas of love." This line sets the tone for the entire poem, which is one of passion and intensity. The speaker is urging the reader to immerse themselves in the world of poetry, to allow themselves to be consumed by its beauty and power. The use of the word "plunge" suggests a sense of urgency and immediacy, as if the speaker is imploring the reader to act quickly before it is too late.

The next line, "Let me thy soul like a lost pearl beguile," is equally powerful. Here, the speaker is positioning themselves as the guide, the one who will lead the reader on this journey of discovery. The use of the word "beguile" suggests a sense of enchantment and seduction, as if the speaker is luring the reader into a world of wonder and magic.

The third line, "And let me clasp thee with a true love's grasp," reinforces this idea of intimacy and connection. The speaker is not just asking the reader to engage with poetry, but to do so in a way that is deeply personal and meaningful. The use of the phrase "true love's grasp" suggests a sense of trust and commitment, as if the speaker is promising to be there for the reader every step of the way.

The fourth line, "And let me kiss thee with a fervent mouth," is perhaps the most powerful line in the entire poem. Here, the speaker is using the image of a kiss to convey the intensity of their passion for poetry. The use of the word "fervent" suggests a sense of heat and intensity, as if the speaker is consumed by their love for poetry. The image of a kiss also suggests a sense of intimacy and connection, as if the speaker is sharing a deeply personal moment with the reader.

The fifth line, "For recompense I give thee songs for sighs," is a clever play on words. The speaker is suggesting that poetry has the power to evoke emotions and feelings in the reader, just as a sigh might. However, instead of leaving the reader feeling sad or melancholy, the speaker is offering them something in return – songs. The use of the word "recompense" suggests a sense of exchange or reciprocity, as if the speaker is acknowledging that the reader is giving something up (their emotions) in exchange for something else (the beauty of poetry).

The sixth and final line, "Inadequate, unmatched by fervent sighs," is a bit more ambiguous. On one level, the speaker is acknowledging that their songs may not be enough to fully capture the depth of the reader's emotions. However, on another level, the speaker is suggesting that poetry has the power to transcend language and words, to evoke emotions that cannot be fully expressed through sighs or any other means.

In terms of structure, Poetry Song is a six-line poem with a consistent rhyme scheme (ABABCC). This gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance, which is appropriate given the theme of connection and intimacy that runs throughout. The use of repetition (e.g. "let me") also reinforces this idea of intimacy and connection, as if the speaker is pleading with the reader to allow them to be a part of their world.

In terms of literary devices, Poetry Song is rich with imagery and metaphor. The use of the sea as a metaphor for love and passion is particularly effective, as it suggests a sense of depth and mystery. The image of a lost pearl is also powerful, as it suggests that poetry has the power to reveal hidden treasures and secrets. The use of the kiss as a metaphor for the intensity of the speaker's passion is also effective, as it suggests a sense of physicality and immediacy.

Overall, Poetry Song is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of poetry and its ability to evoke emotions and feelings in the reader. The use of imagery, metaphor, and repetition all work together to create a sense of intimacy and connection between the speaker and the reader. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates beautiful writing, Poetry Song is a must-read.

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