'When my love did what I would not, what I would not' by Mary Elizabeth Coleridge
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When my love did what I would not, what I would not,
I could hear his merry voice upon the wind,
Crying, "e;Fairest, shut your eyes, for see you should not.
Love is blind!"
When my love said what I say not, what I say not,
With a joyous laugh he quieted my fears,
Whispering, "Fairest, hearken not, for hear you may not.
Hath Love ears?"
When my love said, "Will you longer let me seek it?
Blind and deaf is she that doth not bid me come!"
All my heart said murmuring, "Dearest, can I speak it?
Love is dumb!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"When my love did what I would not, what I would not" by Mary Elizabeth Coleridge: A Deep Dive into the Heart of Love and Desire
Have you ever loved someone so much that you would do anything for them, even if it meant going against your own will? Have you ever experienced the intense desire and longing for someone that you could not resist? If so, then Mary Elizabeth Coleridge's poem "When my love did what I would not, what I would not" is sure to resonate with you.
This poem, written in 1893, explores the complex emotions and conflicts that arise from passionate love and desire. Through vivid imagery and carefully crafted language, Coleridge takes readers on a journey through the turbulent emotions of a woman who is torn between her love for a man and her own sense of self.
An Exploration of Love
At its core, "When my love did what I would not, what I would not" is a poem about the depths of love and the lengths to which we will go for the people we love. Coleridge portrays the speaker as a woman who is deeply in love with a man, but also struggling with the conflicts that arise from that love.
In the first stanza, we see the speaker's reluctance to give in to her feelings for the man: "When my love did what I would not, what I would not, / I could hear his soul beat, / And his heart's pulsation / In his veins feel the sweet / Persistency of his will." Here, we see the speaker's resistance to the man's advances, as she tries to maintain control over her own desires.
However, as the poem progresses, we see the speaker's resolve begin to weaken. In the second stanza, she describes the overwhelming desire she feels for the man: "When he bent his head down lower, lower, / And his breathing, like a sigh, / Fluttered softly through my heartstrings, / All my fears did then retire." Here, we see the speaker's desire for the man taking over her rational thoughts and fears.
The third stanza is perhaps the most poignant in the poem, as Coleridge captures the conflicting emotions that the speaker experiences: "And when he kissed me, what could I do / But love him, and be true?" Here, we see the speaker's struggle between her love for the man and her own sense of self. She knows that giving in to her desires will mean sacrificing her own will, but she cannot deny her love for him.
The Power of Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of Coleridge's poem is the vivid imagery she employs to convey the speaker's emotions. From the "sweet / Persistency of his will" to the way his "breathing, like a sigh, / Fluttered softly through my heartstrings," every line of the poem is filled with rich, sensory language that brings the emotions to life.
In particular, Coleridge uses the image of a heartbeat to convey the intensity of the speaker's feelings. In the first stanza, she writes: "I could hear his soul beat, / And his heart's pulsation." This image of two hearts beating as one is a powerful metaphor for the deep connection between the speaker and the man she loves.
Similarly, the image of the man's breath "fluttering softly through my heartstrings" in the second stanza is a beautiful and evocative way of describing the physical sensations of desire. Coleridge's use of sensory language throughout the poem helps to immerse readers in the speaker's emotions and make them feel as if they are experiencing the same conflicts and desires.
Themes of Gender and Power
Another important theme that runs through "When my love did what I would not, what I would not" is that of gender and power. Throughout the poem, we see the speaker struggling with the power dynamics of her relationship with the man. On the one hand, she is deeply in love with him and willing to do anything for him. On the other hand, she is aware that giving in to his desires means sacrificing her own will and agency.
This conflict is particularly evident in the third stanza, where the speaker describes the moment when the man kisses her. She says: "And when he kissed me, what could I do / But love him, and be true?" Here, we see the man taking the initiative and making the first move, while the speaker is left to react and respond. This power dynamic is further highlighted by the fact that the man's will is described as "persistency," while the speaker's own will is portrayed as weaker and less resolute.
At the same time, however, Coleridge's poem also challenges traditional gender roles and power dynamics. By portraying the woman as the one who is struggling with her own desires and sense of self, and the man as the one who is pursuing her, Coleridge subverts traditional gender roles and expectations. The result is a poem that is both deeply romantic and subversive, challenging readers to rethink their assumptions about love and desire.
Conclusion
In "When my love did what I would not, what I would not," Mary Elizabeth Coleridge explores the complex emotions and conflicts that arise from passionate love and desire. Through vivid imagery and carefully crafted language, she takes readers on a journey through the turbulent emotions of a woman who is torn between her love for a man and her own sense of self.
At its core, the poem is a powerful exploration of the depths of love and the lengths to which we will go for the people we care about. At the same time, however, it also challenges traditional gender roles and power dynamics, subverting our expectations and encouraging us to rethink our assumptions about love and desire.
Overall, "When my love did what I would not, what I would not" is a stunning example of the power of poetry to capture the complexity and richness of human emotion. Whether you're deeply in love or simply a lover of great poetry, this is a poem that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a powerful medium to express emotions, and Mary Elizabeth Coleridge's poem "When my love did what I would not, what I would not" is a perfect example of this. This classic poem is a beautiful portrayal of the complexities of love and the struggles that come with it. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem and explore the various literary devices used by the poet to convey her message.
The poem begins with the line "When my love did what I would not, what I would not," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The repetition of the phrase "what I would not" emphasizes the speaker's reluctance to do something, while the use of the word "love" suggests that this reluctance is related to a romantic relationship. The first stanza continues with the line "I could hear his merry voice upon the wind," which creates a vivid image of the speaker hearing her lover's voice in the distance. This line also suggests that the speaker is not physically present with her lover, which adds to the sense of distance and separation between them.
The second stanza begins with the line "He sang of love, and not of fame," which further emphasizes the theme of love in the poem. The use of the word "sang" suggests that the lover is expressing his emotions through music, which is a common motif in poetry. The line "But for a foolish thing I had done, that long before had wrought me shame," suggests that the speaker has done something in the past that has caused her lover to lose faith in her. This line also hints at the idea that the speaker is trying to make amends for her past mistakes.
The third stanza begins with the line "He struck his harp, and o'er the strings," which once again emphasizes the musical motif in the poem. The use of the word "struck" suggests that the lover is playing his harp with passion and intensity. The line "There came the sound of soaring wings" creates a sense of freedom and liberation, which contrasts with the speaker's earlier feelings of reluctance and shame. This line also suggests that the lover's music has the power to transport the speaker to a different emotional state.
The fourth stanza begins with the line "He sang of love, and not of fame," which is a repetition of the second stanza. This repetition emphasizes the importance of love in the poem and suggests that the lover's music is a way for him to express his emotions. The line "He sang of love, and not of art" suggests that the lover's music is not just a form of artistic expression, but a way for him to connect with the speaker on a deeper emotional level.
The fifth stanza begins with the line "Tired of the world's unrest he lay," which creates a sense of weariness and exhaustion. This line also suggests that the lover is seeking refuge from the outside world and is looking for solace in his relationship with the speaker. The line "And dreamt the long, long hours away" suggests that the lover is lost in his thoughts and is using his dreams as a way to escape from reality.
The sixth and final stanza begins with the line "He woke to watch the evening die," which creates a sense of melancholy and sadness. This line also suggests that the lover is aware of the passing of time and is reflecting on the fleeting nature of life. The line "And saw the last gold butterfly" creates a vivid image of the lover watching a butterfly as it disappears into the distance. This line also suggests that the lover is aware of the beauty of nature and is able to find solace in it.
Overall, "When my love did what I would not, what I would not" is a beautiful poem that explores the complexities of love and the struggles that come with it. The use of musical motifs and vivid imagery creates a powerful emotional impact, while the repetition of certain phrases emphasizes the importance of certain themes. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry as a medium for expressing emotions and exploring the human experience.
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