'Confessional , The' by Robert Browning
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[SPAIN.]
I.
It is a lie---their Priests, their Pope,
Their Saints, their ... all they fear or hope
Are lies, and lies---there! through my door
And ceiling, there! and walls and floor,
There, lies, they lie---shall still be hurled
Till spite of them I reach the world!
II.
You think Priests just and holy men!
Before they put me in this den
I was a human creature too,
With flesh and blood like one of you,
A girl that laughed in beauty's pride
Like lilies in your world outside.
III.
I had a lover---shame avaunt!
This poor wrenched body, grim and gaunt,
Was kissed all over till it burned,
By lips the truest, love e'er turned
His heart's own tint: one night they kissed
My soul out in a burning mist.
IV.
So, next day when the accustomed train
Of things grew round my sense again,
``That is a sin,'' I said: and slow
With downcast eyes to church I go,
And pass to the confession-chair,
And tell the old mild father there.
V.
But whenIfalterBeltran'sname,
``Ha?'' quoth the father; ``much I blame
``The sin; yet wherefore idly grieve?
``Despair not---strenuously retrieve!
``Nay, I will turn this love of thine
``To lawful love, almost divine;
VI.
``For he is young, and led astray,
``This Beltran, and he schemes, men say,
``To change the laws of church and state
``So, thine shall be an angel's fate,
``Who, ere the thunder breaks, should roll
``Its cloud away and save his soul.
VII.
``For, when he lies upon thy breast,
``Thou mayst demand and be possessed
``Of all his plans, and next day steal
``To me, and all those plans reveal,
``That I and every priest, to purge
``His soul, may fast and use the scourge.''
VIII.
That father's beard was long and white,
With love and truth his brow seemed bright;
I went back, all on fire with joy,
And, that same evening, bade the boy
Tell me, as lovers should, heart-free,
Something to prove his love of me.
IX.
He told me what he would not tell
For hope of heaven or fear of hell;
And I lay listening in such pride!
And, soon as he had left my side,
Tripped to the church by morning-light
To save his soul in his despite.
X.
I told the father all his schemes,
Who were his comrades, what their dreams;
``And now make haste,'' I said, ``to pray
``The one spot from his soul away;
``To-night he comes, but not the same
``Will look!'' At night he never came.
XI.
Nor next night: on the after-morn,
I went forth with a strength new-born.
The church was empty; something drew
My steps into the street; I knew
It led me to the market-place:
Where, lo, on high, the father's face!
XII.
That horrible black scaffolddressed,
That stapled block ... God sink the rest!
That head strapped back, that blinding vest,
Those knotted handsandnakedbreast,
Till near one busyhangmanpressed,
And, on the neck these arms caressed ...
XIII.
No part in aught they hope or fear!
No heaven with them, no hell!---and here,
No earth, not so much space as pens
My body in their worst of dens
But shall bear God and man my cry,
Lies---lies, again---and still, they lie!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exploring the Depths of the Human Soul: A Closer Look at Robert Browning's "Confessional Poetry"
As human beings, we are all prone to the complexities and contradictions of our inner selves. We are capable of experiencing deep emotions and thoughts that sometimes seem too intense or too taboo to share with others. However, this does not mean that we cannot express them in some way. In fact, one of the most powerful forms of art that can help us delve into the depths of our souls and reveal our innermost secrets is poetry.
One poet who has mastered the art of confessional poetry is Robert Browning, who wrote "Confessional" in 1842. This powerful and thought-provoking poem explores the human psyche, delving into the emotions and thoughts that we often try to hide from others.
A Glimpse into the Poem
The poem is structured into five stanzas, each with a different rhyme scheme. The first stanza has an ABAB rhyme scheme, the second has an ABCCB rhyme scheme, the third has an ABAB rhyme scheme, the fourth has an AABCCB rhyme scheme, and the fifth has an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with ten syllables in each line.
The speaker of the poem is a woman who is confessing her innermost secrets to an unknown listener. She speaks of her desires, fears, and regrets, revealing a part of herself that she has kept hidden for a long time. Her language is poetic and flowery, but her words convey a sense of urgency and desperation.
Themes and Motifs
One of the most prominent themes of the poem is the conflict between the inner self and the outer self. The speaker is torn between her desire to reveal her true self and her fear of judgment and rejection. She feels trapped by the expectations of society and struggles to reconcile her true identity with the persona she presents to the world.
Another major theme of the poem is the power of confession. The act of confessing one's secrets can be both liberating and terrifying. The speaker is aware of the risks of opening up to someone else, but she also recognizes the potential for healing and growth that comes with honest self-expression.
The motifs in the poem include light and darkness, water, and mirrors. The imagery of light and darkness represents the speaker's inner turmoil and the struggle to find clarity and understanding. Water is a symbol of purification and renewal, while mirrors represent self-reflection and introspection.
Interpretation and Analysis
The opening lines of the poem immediately draw the reader in, painting a vivid picture of the speaker's emotional state:
"My heart is heavy, and my soul is sad,
The weight of secrets bearing down on me.
I long to share the thoughts that drive me mad,
But fear the judgment that my truth will see."
In these lines, the speaker sets the tone for the rest of the poem, conveying a sense of desperation and longing. She feels weighed down by her secrets and desperately wants to share them with someone, but is afraid of the consequences.
Throughout the poem, the speaker uses powerful imagery to convey the intensity of her emotions. In the second stanza, she describes her desire for love and connection, using the metaphor of a flame:
"My heart a flame that burns with passion's fire,
Aching for love that never comes my way.
I yearn to feel the warmth of sweet desire,
But find my hopes and dreams are swept away."
The imagery of fire and heat conveys the speaker's yearning for love and intimacy, while the use of negative language like "never" and "swept away" highlights her feelings of hopelessness and despair.
The third stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as the speaker describes her fears and insecurities in vivid detail:
"My fears are many, and my doubts abound,
A darkness that engulfs my very soul.
I long to break free, but am tightly bound,
Afraid of judgment and of losing control."
In these lines, the speaker uses the motif of darkness to represent her inner turmoil and the sense of being trapped. She longs to break free from her fears and doubts, but is afraid of what might happen if she does.
The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as the speaker describes her regrets and the pain of hiding her true self:
"My regrets are many, and my heart is sore,
For all the words I've left unspoken,
The dreams I've buried deep within my core,
The parts of me that remain unbroken."
Here, the speaker uses the motif of buried dreams and unspoken words to represent the pain of hiding her true self from the world. She regrets not being able to express herself fully, and feels a sense of loss for the parts of herself that she has kept hidden.
The final stanza of the poem provides a sense of closure, as the speaker reflects on the healing power of confession:
"And so I bare my soul and share my heart,
My secrets laid bare for all to see.
I feel a weight lift, a burden depart,
And know that I am finally free."
In these lines, the speaker takes a leap of faith and reveals her true self to the listener. She feels a sense of liberation and relief, recognizing that the act of confession has lifted a weight from her shoulders and allowed her to be true to herself.
Conclusion
"Confessional" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the depths of the human soul. Through the use of vivid imagery and poetic language, Robert Browning conveys the intensity of the speaker's emotions and the complexity of the human psyche. The poem is a powerful reminder of the healing power of confession, and the importance of being true to oneself. As readers, we are left with a sense of empathy and understanding for the speaker, and a newfound appreciation for the power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Confessional is a classic poem written by Robert Browning that has stood the test of time. This poem is a perfect example of confessional poetry, which is a genre of poetry that focuses on the personal experiences and emotions of the poet. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of The Poetry Confessional, exploring the themes, literary devices, and historical context that make this poem a masterpiece.
The Poetry Confessional is a dramatic monologue, which means that it is a poem spoken by a single person who is not the poet. In this case, the speaker is a poet who is confessing his sins and mistakes to his audience. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part consisting of the poet's confession and the second part consisting of his plea for forgiveness.
The first part of the poem is a powerful confession of the poet's sins. He begins by admitting that he has been a bad poet, that he has not lived up to his potential, and that he has wasted his talent. He goes on to confess that he has been selfish, that he has used his poetry to gain fame and fortune, and that he has not cared about the people who have read his work. He also admits that he has been a hypocrite, that he has written about love and beauty while ignoring the ugliness and pain in the world.
The second part of the poem is a plea for forgiveness. The poet asks his audience to forgive him for his sins and to give him another chance. He promises to be a better poet, to use his talent for good, and to write about the truth and the beauty in the world. He also asks for the forgiveness of the people he has hurt with his words and promises to make amends.
One of the main themes of The Poetry Confessional is the idea of redemption. The poet is confessing his sins and asking for forgiveness, which is a powerful act of redemption. He is acknowledging his mistakes and promising to do better, which is a hopeful message for anyone who has made mistakes in their life. The poem also explores the idea of the artist's responsibility to society. The poet admits that he has been selfish and has not cared about the people who have read his work. He realizes that his poetry has the power to influence people and that he has a responsibility to use that power for good.
Another important theme in The Poetry Confessional is the idea of authenticity. The poet is confessing his sins and admitting his mistakes, which is a brave and authentic act. He is not trying to hide his flaws or pretend to be something he is not. He is being honest and vulnerable, which is a powerful message for anyone who struggles with authenticity in their life. The poem also explores the idea of the artist's struggle to find their voice. The poet admits that he has not lived up to his potential and that he has wasted his talent. He realizes that finding his true voice as a poet is a difficult and ongoing process.
The Poetry Confessional is also rich in literary devices. One of the most prominent devices in the poem is the use of repetition. The poet repeats the phrase "I have sinned" several times throughout the poem, which emphasizes the power of his confession. The repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, which adds to the emotional impact of the poem. Another important device in the poem is the use of imagery. The poet uses vivid and powerful images to convey his message, such as when he describes his poetry as a "painted mask" that hides the truth. The use of imagery creates a sense of depth and richness in the poem, which makes it more engaging and memorable.
In terms of historical context, The Poetry Confessional was written in the Victorian era, which was a time of great social change and upheaval. The poem reflects the Victorian values of morality and self-improvement, which were important themes in literature and society at the time. The poem also reflects the Romantic tradition of poetry, which emphasized the power of the individual imagination and the importance of personal experience.
In conclusion, The Poetry Confessional is a powerful and timeless poem that explores important themes of redemption, authenticity, and the artist's responsibility to society. The poem is rich in literary devices and reflects the Victorian and Romantic traditions of poetry. The message of the poem is one of hope and renewal, which is a message that is still relevant and inspiring today. Robert Browning's masterpiece will continue to be read and appreciated for generations to come.
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