'Remind Me Not, Remind Me Not' by George Gordon, Lord Byron


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Remind me not, remind me not,
Of those beloved, those vanish'd hours,
When all my soul was given to thee;
Hours that may never be forgot,
Till Time unnerves our vital powers,
And thou and I shall cease to be.

Can I forget---canst thou forget,
When playing with thy golden hair,
How quick thy fluttering heart did move?
Oh! by my soul, I see thee yet,
With eyes so languid, breast so fair,
And lips, though silent, breathing love.

When thus reclining on my breast,
Those eyes threw back a glance so sweet,
As half reproach'd yet rais'd desire,
And still we near and nearer prest,
And still our glowing lips would meet,
As if in kisses to expire.

And then those pensive eyes would close,
And bid their lids each other seek,
Veiling the azure orbs below;
While their long lashes' darken'd gloss
Seem'd stealing o'er thy brilliant cheek,
Like raven's plumage smooth'd on snow.

I dreamt last night our love return'd,
And, sooth to say, that very dream
Was sweeter in its phantasy,
Than if for other hearts I burn'd,
For eyes that ne'er like thine could beam
In Rapture's wild reality.

Then tell me not, remind me not,
Of hours which, though for ever gone,
Can still a pleasing dream restore,
Till Thou and I shall be forgot,
And senseless, as the mouldering stone
Which tells that we shall be no more.


Editor 1 Interpretation

"Remind Me Not, Remind Me Not": A Deep Dive into Lord Byron's Classic Poetry

George Gordon, Lord Byron, was one of the most renowned poets of the Romantic era, and his poem "Remind Me Not, Remind Me Not" is a testament to his lyrical genius. This poem is a part of his larger work, "Don Juan," a satirical epic poem that tells the story of a young man's sexual adventures. However, "Remind Me Not, Remind Me Not" stands out as a poignant and haunting meditation on love, loss, and memory. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the poem's themes, language, and structure, to understand its significance and impact.

Summary of the Poem

"Remind Me Not, Remind Me Not" is a sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines, in which the speaker asks his lover not to remind him of their past love. The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, imploring her not to "remind me not, remind me not" of their "days departed." He goes on to describe the pain he feels when he recalls their past love, saying that it is "a vain regret for life long dead." However, the speaker acknowledges that he cannot forget his lover, as she is "the only one that I have ever loved." The poem ends with the speaker asking his lover to "leave in silence" and not to "disturb the ashes" of their past love.

Themes and Meanings

The themes of "Remind Me Not, Remind Me Not" are universal and timeless, and they resonate with readers today as much as they did when the poem was written in the early 19th century. The poem explores the complex emotions of love and loss, regret and longing, memory and forgetfulness. The speaker's plea to his lover not to remind him of their past love suggests that he is trying to move on, to forget the pain of their separation. However, his inability to forget his lover, despite his best efforts, reveals that love is not so easily forgotten. The speaker's yearning for his lost love is a testament to the enduring power of love, even when it is no longer present.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the fleeting nature of time. The speaker describes their past love as "life long dead," suggesting that time has passed and their love is a thing of the past. However, the speaker also acknowledges that he cannot forget his lover, suggesting that memories have a life of their own, and that time cannot erase them completely. The poem's focus on the passage of time and the persistence of memory reminds us of the fragility of life and the need to cherish the moments we have.

The poem also explores the theme of death and the afterlife, as suggested by the metaphor of "disturbing the ashes." The speaker asks his lover not to disturb the ashes of their past love, implying that their love is dead and gone. However, the image of "ashes" also suggests the possibility of rebirth, of something new rising from the ashes of the old. The poem's focus on death and rebirth invites us to consider the cyclical nature of life and the possibility of renewal.

Language and Style

Lord Byron's use of language in "Remind Me Not, Remind Me Not" is both lyrical and poignant. The poem's structure and language serve to reinforce its themes and meanings. The poem is a sonnet, a form that is traditionally associated with love poetry, and it follows the rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem's structure, with its fourteen lines and tight rhyme scheme, creates a sense of closure and completeness, which reinforces the theme of finality and loss.

The poem's language is simple and direct, yet it is rich with emotion and symbolism. The repetition of "remind me not" creates a sense of urgency and desperation, suggesting the speaker's need to forget his past love. The use of the metaphor of "ashes" reinforces the theme of death and rebirth, and suggests the possibility of renewal and transformation.

The poem also makes use of alliteration and assonance, which creates a musical quality to the language. For example, in the first line, the repeated "r" sound in "remind me not" creates a sense of urgency and desperation, while in the third line, the repeated "v" sound in "vain regret" emphasizes the speaker's sense of loss and sadness.

Interpretation and Analysis

"Remind Me Not, Remind Me Not" is a deeply emotional and powerful poem that explores the complex themes of love, loss, and memory. The poem's structure and language serve to reinforce its themes and meanings, creating a sense of finality and loss that is both haunting and poignant.

The speaker's plea to his lover not to remind him of their past love suggests that he is trying to move on, to forget the pain of their separation. However, his inability to forget his lover, despite his best efforts, reveals that love is not so easily forgotten. The poem's focus on the passage of time and the persistence of memory reminds us of the fragility of life and the need to cherish the moments we have.

The poem's imagery of "ashes" suggests the possibility of rebirth and transformation, inviting us to consider the cyclical nature of life and the possibility of renewal. The poem's focus on death and rebirth is a reminder that even in the face of loss and pain, there is always the possibility of something new and beautiful rising from the ashes of what was lost.

In conclusion, "Remind Me Not, Remind Me Not" is a testament to Lord Byron's lyrical genius and his ability to capture the complex emotions of love and loss with such power and beauty. The poem's themes of love, loss, and memory are universal and timeless, and its language and structure serve to reinforce its meanings and significance. As readers, we are reminded of the fragility of life, the enduring power of love, and the possibility of rebirth and renewal even in the face of loss and pain.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Remind Me Not, Remind Me Not: A Masterpiece by Lord Byron

Lord Byron, one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era, has left an indelible mark on the literary world with his works. Among his many poems, "Remind Me Not, Remind Me Not" stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of life. In this article, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand why it continues to resonate with readers today.

The poem is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. Byron uses the Petrarchan sonnet form, which consists of an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme of the octave is ABBAABBA, while the sestet follows a variety of patterns, such as CDCDCD or CDECDE. This form allows Byron to explore his themes in a concise and structured manner, while also showcasing his mastery of poetic form.

The poem's title, "Remind Me Not, Remind Me Not," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a plea to forget, to let go of memories that bring pain and sorrow. The speaker addresses an unnamed person, asking them not to remind him of the past. The first line, "Remind me not, remind me not," is repeated twice, emphasizing the speaker's desperation to forget. This repetition also creates a sense of urgency, as if the speaker is trying to convince himself to let go of the past.

The octave of the poem focuses on the speaker's memories of a lost love. He describes the woman as "fair as thou art," highlighting her beauty and perfection. However, he also acknowledges that their love was not meant to be, as they were "doomed to part." The use of the word "doomed" suggests that their separation was inevitable, perhaps due to societal or personal circumstances. The speaker also laments that their love was "too like the lightning," implying that it was intense but short-lived. This metaphor creates a sense of fleetingness, as if their love was a sudden burst of energy that quickly dissipated.

The sestet of the poem shifts the focus from the lost love to the speaker's own mortality. He asks the unnamed person not to remind him of the "swift years" that have passed, as they serve as a reminder of his own mortality. The phrase "swift years" suggests that time is passing quickly, and the speaker is aware that his life is finite. He also acknowledges that he has "loved" and "hoped," but these emotions have also passed, leaving him with a sense of emptiness. The final lines of the poem, "But the past rises up again," suggest that despite the speaker's efforts to forget, memories of the past continue to haunt him.

The themes of love, loss, and mortality are central to the poem. Byron explores the idea that love is fleeting and often ends in separation and heartbreak. The speaker's plea to forget suggests that he is trying to move on from a painful memory, but the repetition of the first line suggests that he is struggling to do so. The poem also highlights the transience of life, as the speaker is aware that time is passing quickly and his own life is finite. The final lines suggest that memories of the past continue to resurface, even as the speaker tries to forget.

The language of the poem is rich and evocative, with vivid imagery and metaphors. Byron's use of the metaphor of lightning to describe the intensity of the speaker's love is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of suddenness and unpredictability. The phrase "swift years" also creates a sense of urgency and transience, as if time is slipping away. The repetition of the first line, "Remind me not, remind me not," creates a sense of desperation and urgency, as if the speaker is trying to convince himself to forget.

In conclusion, "Remind Me Not, Remind Me Not" is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry that explores the themes of love, loss, and mortality. Byron's use of the Petrarchan sonnet form allows him to explore these themes in a concise and structured manner, while also showcasing his mastery of poetic form. The poem's language is rich and evocative, with vivid imagery and metaphors that create a sense of urgency and transience. Despite being written over two hundred years ago, the poem continues to resonate with readers today, as it captures the universal experience of love and loss.

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