'To Marguriet: Continued' by Matthew Arnold
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Yes! in the sea of life enisled,
With echoing straits between us thrown,
Dotting the shoreless watery wild,
We mortal millions live alone.
The islands feel the enclasping flow,
And then their endless bounds they know.
But when the moon their hollows lights,
And they are swept by balms of spring,
And in their glens, on starry nights,
The nightingales divinely sing;
And lovely notes, from shore to shore,
Across the sounds and channels pour--
Oh! then a longing like despair
Is to their farthest caverns sent;
For surely once, they feel, we were
Parts of a single continent!
Now round us spreads the watery plain--
Oh might our marges meet again!
Who order'd, that their longing's fire
Should be, as soon as kindled, cool'd?
Who renters vain their deep desire?--
A God, a God their severance ruled!
And bade betwixt their shores to be
The unplumb'd, salt, estranging sea.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"To Marguerite: Continued" by Matthew Arnold
Have you ever read a poem that speaks to your soul, making you feel as though the writer was speaking directly to you? "To Marguerite: Continued" by Matthew Arnold is one such piece. As I delved into this classic poem, I found myself captivated by the depth of emotion and the beauty of the language.
Context and Background
Before we delve into the poem itself, let's take a moment to explore the context in which it was written. Matthew Arnold was a prominent English poet and critic of the Victorian era, known for his elegant prose and profound insights into human nature. "To Marguerite: Continued" was published in 1853, as part of Arnold's collection of poems entitled "Empedocles on Etna and Other Poems."
The poem is a continuation of Arnold's earlier work, "To Marguerite," which was written in 1849. Both poems were inspired by Arnold's experiences during a trip to Switzerland, where he fell in love with a woman named Marguerite. The original poem ends on a somber note, with the speaker lamenting the fleeting nature of human happiness. "To Marguerite: Continued" picks up where the first poem left off, exploring the themes of love, loss, and the impermanence of life.
Analysis
The poem begins with a description of the natural beauty that surrounds the speaker and Marguerite:
Yes! in the sea of life enisled,
With echoing straits between us thrown,
Dotting the shoreless watery wild,
We mortal millions live alone.
The islands feel the enclasping flow,
And then their endless bounds they know.
The imagery here is both haunting and beautiful, as the speaker describes the vast expanse of the sea that separates him from Marguerite. The use of the word "enisled" suggests a sense of isolation and separation, while the "echoing straits" evoke a sense of distance and longing. The description of the "shoreless watery wild" creates a sense of awe at the vastness of the world, and the idea of "mortal millions" living alone underscores the sense of loneliness and isolation that pervades the poem.
The second stanza continues in this vein, as the speaker describes the natural world around him:
But when the moon their hollows lights,
And they are swept by balms of spring,
And in their glens, on starry nights,
The nightingales divinely sing;
And lovely notes, from shore to shore,
Across the sounds and channels pour:
Here, the speaker is describing the beauty of nature, and how it can serve as a balm to the wounds of the soul. The use of the phrase "hollows lights" creates a sense of mystery and enchantment, while the "balms of spring" suggest a sense of renewal and rebirth. The description of the nightingales singing on starry nights creates a sense of wonder and magic, while the idea of lovely notes pouring "from shore to shore" suggests a sense of unity and harmony.
The third stanza brings the focus back to the speaker and Marguerite:
Oh! then a longing like despair
Is to their farthest caverns sent;
For surely once, they feel, we were
Parts of a single continent!
Now round us spreads the watery plain—
Oh might our marges meet again!
Here, the speaker is expressing his longing for Marguerite, and his desire to be reunited with her. The use of the phrase "longing like despair" creates a sense of urgency and intensity, while the idea of the islands feeling that they were once "parts of a single continent" underscores the sense of unity and connectedness that pervades the poem. The final lines, in which the speaker expresses his hope that their "marges" (shores) might meet again, are both wistful and poignant.
The final stanza of the poem brings the focus back to the natural world:
And thus, though we are parted here,
As through a glass that darkly shadows,
The eye returns thenceforth to peer
As o'er a waste of waves and meadows:
And many a banished dream, and dear,
Of those pure times, comes back to rear
Its fancies in the gloomèd here.
Here, the speaker is suggesting that even though he and Marguerite are separated, they are still connected through their shared experiences of the natural world. The use of the image of looking "through a glass that darkly shadows" creates a sense of distance and separation, while the idea of banished dreams and memories returning to "rear / Its fancies in the gloomèd here" suggests a sense of nostalgia and longing.
Conclusion
In "To Marguerite: Continued," Matthew Arnold has crafted a beautiful and profound meditation on love, loss, and the impermanence of life. The poem is rich in imagery and language, creating a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of the natural world. At its core, however, the poem is a testament to the power of human connection, and the enduring nature of love. As I finished reading this masterpiece, I found myself moved by its beauty and its wisdom, and grateful for the gift of art that allows us to connect with one another across time and space.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To Marguerite: Continued - A Masterpiece of Romantic Poetry
Matthew Arnold, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, is known for his romantic and melancholic style of writing. His poem, "Poetry To Marguerite: Continued," is a masterpiece of romantic poetry that captures the essence of love, loss, and the beauty of nature.
The poem is a continuation of Arnold's earlier work, "Poetry To Marguerite," which was written in 1853. In this continuation, Arnold explores the themes of love and nature in a more profound and introspective manner. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of love and nature.
The first stanza of the poem is a beautiful description of the natural world. Arnold uses vivid imagery to describe the beauty of the landscape, with its "purple peaks" and "golden valleys." He also describes the "wilderness of sweets" and the "scented airs" that fill the air. The imagery is so vivid that the reader can almost smell the fragrance of the flowers and feel the warmth of the sun.
The second stanza of the poem is where Arnold delves into the theme of love. He describes the "sweetest love" that he has ever known, and how it has brought him "joy and pain." He also speaks of the "bitterness of tears" that come with love, and how they are "mingled with the sweet." Arnold's use of contrasting emotions in this stanza is particularly effective, as it captures the complex nature of love.
The third and final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the transience of life. Arnold speaks of how the beauty of nature and the joy of love are fleeting, and how they are "like the snow on the river." He also speaks of how the memories of love and nature can sustain us through the trials of life, and how they can "cheer us on our way."
Overall, "Poetry To Marguerite: Continued" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of love, nature, and the transience of life. Arnold's use of vivid imagery and contrasting emotions is particularly effective, as it allows the reader to experience the beauty and pain of love and nature in a profound and introspective manner.
In conclusion, "Poetry To Marguerite: Continued" is a masterpiece of romantic poetry that is sure to touch the hearts of readers. It is a testament to Arnold's skill as a poet, and his ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the human experience. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply appreciate the beauty of nature, this poem is a must-read.
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