'The Ache Of Marriage' by Denise Levertov
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
The ache of marriage:thigh and tongue, beloved,
are heavy with it,
it throbs in the teethWe look for communion
and are turned away, beloved,
each and eachIt is leviathan and we
in its belly
looking for joy, some joy
not to be known outside ittwo by two in the ark of
the ache of it.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Ache of Marriage by Denise Levertov: A Poem of Love and Pain
Denise Levertov's "The Ache of Marriage" is a powerful poem that explores the complex and contradictory emotions of love and pain that are inherent in the institution of marriage. The poem is a reflection on the different aspects of a marriage, from the initial attraction and passion to the long-term commitment and the struggle to maintain love and intimacy over time. Levertov's poem is a touching and honest portrayal of the joys and sorrows of marriage, and it speaks to readers on a deeply emotional level.
The Poem's Structure and Style
The poem is written in free verse, with no regular meter or rhyme scheme. This reflects the organic and spontaneous nature of the emotions that the poem expresses. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with a different focus or theme. The stanzas vary in length, with the first and last stanzas being the shortest and the fourth stanza being the longest.
Levertov's style is simple and direct, with no unnecessary words or decoration. Her language is clear and precise, and she uses imagery and metaphor sparingly but effectively. The poem is a model of economy and restraint, and it is all the more powerful for its simplicity.
The Poem's Themes
The poem explores a number of themes related to marriage and relationships, including love, passion, commitment, pain, and the passage of time. Throughout the poem, Levertov presents marriage as a complex and often difficult journey, full of contradictions and challenges.
The poem begins by exploring the initial attraction and passion that draws two people together. Levertov describes the "fiery moon" that "has bent / the leaves to the branches" and the "crazed / birds" that "nest with twigs and floss" (lines 1-4). These images suggest the intensity and wildness of the attraction that brings two people together.
However, Levertov quickly moves on to explore the challenges and struggles that come with long-term commitment. She writes that "the ache / of marriage" is not just "the blankets" that "blow off" in the night, but also the deeper pain and struggle of maintaining intimacy and love over time (lines 5-6). The poem goes on to describe the ways in which marriage can be both "a joy" and "a long war" (line 12).
One of the most powerful themes of the poem is the idea that love and pain are intimately connected in marriage. Levertov writes that "love is not / a profession / genteel or otherwise" (lines 13-15). Love is not something that can be learned or mastered like a skill; it is a messy, complicated, and often painful experience. The poem acknowledges the pain and disappointment that are inevitable in any long-term relationship, but it also suggests that these struggles are an integral part of the love that makes marriage worthwhile.
The Poem's Imagery and Metaphors
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of vivid and evocative imagery. Levertov uses a range of images and metaphors to convey the different emotions and experiences of marriage.
One of the most powerful images in the poem is the description of the "fiery moon" that "has bent / the leaves to the branches" (lines 1-2). This image suggests the intensity and passion of the initial attraction that draws two people together. The "crazed / birds" that "nest with twigs and floss" (lines 3-4) further emphasize the wildness and unpredictability of this attraction.
Later in the poem, Levertov uses the metaphor of a war to describe the struggles and challenges of marriage. She writes that the couple "battle and glare" at each other, and that "time withers / the lovers' hands" (lines 11-12). These images suggest the toll that the passage of time and the difficulties of maintaining intimacy can take on a relationship.
Another powerful metaphor in the poem is the image of the "ache" of marriage. This image suggests the deep and enduring pain that is an inherent part of any long-term relationship. The "ache" is not just physical, but emotional and psychological as well, and it is something that must be endured and overcome in order to maintain love and intimacy over time.
The Poem's Tone and Voice
The tone of the poem is both melancholy and hopeful. While the poem acknowledges the pain and difficulties of marriage, it also suggests that these struggles are ultimately worthwhile. Levertov writes that "love is not / a profession / genteel or otherwise" (lines 13-15), suggesting that love is messy and painful but also real and authentic.
The voice of the poem is also striking. Levertov writes in the first person plural, using "we" to refer to both herself and her readers. This creates a sense of intimacy and connection between the poet and the reader, and it suggests that the experiences and emotions described in the poem are universal and shared.
Conclusion
Denise Levertov's "The Ache of Marriage" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the complex and contradictory emotions of love and pain that are inherent in the institution of marriage. The poem is a touching and honest portrayal of the joys and sorrows of marriage, and it speaks to readers on a deeply emotional level. Through its vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and simple but direct language, the poem captures the messy, complicated, and ultimately rewarding experience of love and commitment.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Ache of Marriage: A Poem of Love, Loss, and Longing
Denise Levertov's poem "The Ache of Marriage" is a powerful and poignant exploration of the complexities of love, loss, and longing in the context of a long-term relationship. Written in free verse, the poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's experience of marriage. Through vivid imagery, rich metaphors, and a deeply personal voice, Levertov captures the ache of a relationship that is both beautiful and painful, both fulfilling and frustrating.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece, as the speaker describes the "ache" that is at the heart of her marriage. She writes, "The ache of marriage: / Thigh and tongue, beloved, / Are heavy with it, / It throbs in the teeth." This opening image is both sensual and visceral, evoking the physical and emotional intensity of a long-term relationship. The use of the word "beloved" suggests that the speaker is addressing her partner directly, and the repetition of the word "ache" emphasizes the intensity of the feeling she is describing.
The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to the speaker's own experience of marriage, as she reflects on the ways in which her relationship has changed over time. She writes, "We look for communion / And are turned away, beloved, / Each and each / It is leviathan and we / In its belly / Looking for joy, some joy / Not to be known outside it." Here, the speaker uses the metaphor of a leviathan, a mythical sea monster, to describe the overwhelming nature of her relationship. The image of being trapped in the belly of the beast suggests a sense of suffocation or claustrophobia, while the search for joy that cannot be found outside the relationship speaks to the idea that true fulfillment can only be found within the context of a committed partnership.
The final stanza of the poem returns to the theme of physicality, as the speaker describes the ways in which her body has been changed by her marriage. She writes, "We touch with a rough / And unpracticed love / And I am clumsy / In your arms, beloved, / Sweating like a stallion / Sweating we strain against each other / Striving to see / Eye to eye." This image of physical exertion and struggle is both raw and tender, suggesting a sense of vulnerability and intimacy that is often absent from more conventional love poetry. The use of the word "unpracticed" suggests that the speaker and her partner are still learning how to love each other, even after years of being together.
Overall, "The Ache of Marriage" is a deeply moving and insightful poem that captures the complexities of long-term love. Through her use of vivid imagery, rich metaphors, and a deeply personal voice, Denise Levertov creates a portrait of a relationship that is both beautiful and painful, both fulfilling and frustrating. The poem speaks to the universal experience of love and loss, and offers a powerful reminder of the importance of staying committed to the people we love, even when the going gets tough.
Editor Recommended Sites
ML Cert: Machine learning certification preparation, advice, tutorials, guides, faqBlockchain Job Board - Block Chain Custody and Security Jobs & Crypto Smart Contract Jobs: The latest Blockchain job postings
Learn Typescript: Learn typescript programming language, course by an ex google engineer
Cloud Actions - Learn Cloud actions & Cloud action Examples: Learn and get examples for Cloud Actions
Privacy Chat: Privacy focused chat application.
Recommended Similar Analysis
Flesh and the Spirit, The by Anne Bradstreet analysisAlphonso Of Castile by Ralph Waldo Emerson analysis
Mad Gardener's Song, The by Lewis Carroll analysis
Snowfall by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Ample make this Bed by Emily Dickinson analysis
Jump Cabling by Linda Pastan analysis
Canto 13 by Ezra Pound analysis
I Am The People, The Mob by Carl Sandburg analysis
Autumn , The by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
I taste a liquor never brewed by Emily Dickinson analysis