'To Memory' by Mary Elizabeth Coleridge
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Strange Power, I know not what thou art,
Murderer or mistress of my heart.
I know I'd rather meet the blow
Of my most unrelenting foe
Than live---as now I live---to be
Slain twenty times a day by thee.
Yet, when I would command thee hence,
Thou mockest at the vain pretence,
Murmuring in mine ear a song
Once loved, alas! forgotten long;
And on my brow I feel a kiss
That I would rather die than miss.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Deep Dive into Mary Elizabeth Coleridge's "To Memory"
When it comes to poetry, Mary Elizabeth Coleridge is a name that should never be forgotten. Her work has been celebrated for its introspective nature, its haunting imagery, and its ability to tap into the darkest corners of the human experience. One of her most evocative poems is "To Memory," a piece that explores the power of memory and its ability to both comfort and torment us. In this literary criticism, we will take a deep dive into this classic poem, analyzing its themes, symbolism, and overall impact on the reader.
An Overview of "To Memory"
Before we begin our analysis, let's take a moment to read the poem in full:
Strange Power, I know not what thou art, Murderer or mistress of my heart. I know I'd rather meet the blow Of my most deadly enemy, than thee, Frowning in thy fatal revery, Or even feeling thee Reclining voluptuous on my breast, In thy languor, with thy dreams opprest, Than on my thoughts to rest.
Oh! come not back to me, thou whom In life's most unguarded hour I welcomed With like warm tears,--then little knew What was the deep mysterious spell Which made me love thee only too well,-- Oh! not again return!
Poor feeble wretch! can I forget How, when the fever in my veins Raged in its fiercest bloody pains, Thou camest with thy cooling spell, Half soothing me, half driving back The fiends that would have bound me to their rack, And by thy aid did I the conflict quell?
Or, when the soul was faint and weak, And its warm life-blood seem'd to freeze, Can I forget the gentle gales, The balmy gales of thy pure breath, That, like the violet's fragrant breath, Came o'er my senses stealing, And sent me to my dreaming joys again?
Oh! no;--in spite of graver thought, In spite of every pain and care, I cannot choose but hold thee dear, Strange Power, who art both joy and fear, Murderer and mistress of my heart, I know not what thou art.
As we can see from this poem, Coleridge is addressing memory as a powerful force in her life. She is conflicted about the role that memory plays, acknowledging that it can bring both joy and fear. The poem is written in a confessional tone, as if Coleridge is speaking directly to her memories and addressing them as if they were a separate entity. With this framework in mind, let's dive deeper into the themes and symbolism of "To Memory."
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "To Memory" is the complexity of memory itself. Coleridge is not presenting memory as a simple concept that we can easily define or understand. Instead, memory is portrayed as a force that can both comfort and torment us, a dichotomy that is captured in the lines "Murderer or mistress of my heart." The poem suggests that memory is not something that we can control, but rather something that controls us, as evidenced by the lines "Oh! come not back to me, thou whom / In life's most unguarded hour I welcomed / With like warm tears." Here, Coleridge is admitting that she has no control over which memories come to her, and that even though she initially welcomed them, they now haunt her with their power.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of memory as a healing force. Coleridge acknowledges that memories have the power to soothe and calm us, as seen in the lines "How, when the fever in my veins / Raged in its fiercest bloody pains, / Thou camest with thy cooling spell." Here, we see memory depicted as a kind of medicine that can help us overcome physical and emotional pain. This idea is reinforced later in the poem when Coleridge describes memory as "The balmy gales of thy pure breath, / That, like the violet's fragrant breath, / Came o'er my senses stealing, / And sent me to my dreaming joys again." Memory is presented as a force that can transport us back to happier times and help us escape from the present moment.
Finally, "To Memory" touches on the idea of memory as a source of mystery and wonder. Coleridge admits that she does not fully understand the power of memory, as seen in the lines "Strange Power, who art both joy and fear, / Murderer and mistress of my heart, / I know not what thou art." The poem suggests that memory is a force that is beyond our comprehension, something that we can never fully understand or control. This idea is reinforced by the repeated use of the word "strange," which suggests that memory is a mysterious and enigmatic force that we can never fully grasp.
Symbolism
Throughout "To Memory," Coleridge employs a number of symbols to help convey the poem's themes. One of the most prominent symbols is the image of memory as a personified force. Coleridge addresses memory directly as if it were a person, saying "Strange Power, I know not what thou art, / Murderer or mistress of my heart." This personification helps to reinforce the idea of memory as a force that is beyond our control, something that exists outside of us and has a will of its own.
Another symbol that Coleridge employs is the use of contrasting imagery to convey the complex nature of memory. For example, she describes memory as both a "murderer" and a "mistress," suggesting that it can bring both pain and pleasure. Similarly, she describes memory as "reclining voluptuous on my breast, / In thy languor, with thy dreams opprest," which creates an image of both comfort and lethargy. These contrasting images help to create a sense of tension in the poem, as if Coleridge is wrestling with the conflicting emotions that memories can bring.
Finally, Coleridge employs the symbol of the "cooling spell" to represent memory's healing power. This symbol suggests that memories can have a physical impact on our bodies, helping to soothe and calm us when we are in pain. The image of a "cooling spell" also suggests that memory has a kind of magical power, something that can help us overcome the physical and emotional struggles that we face in life.
Conclusion
"To Memory" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complex nature of memory and its impact on our lives. By personifying memory and using contrasting imagery and symbols, Coleridge is able to convey the many different emotions and experiences that memories can bring. Ultimately, the poem suggests that memory is a force that we cannot fully understand or control, but that we must learn to live with and accept as an integral part of our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To Memory: A Timeless Classic
Mary Elizabeth Coleridge's "Poetry To Memory" is a timeless classic that has captivated readers for over a century. This poem is a beautiful tribute to the power of poetry and its ability to evoke memories and emotions. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem to understand why it has stood the test of time.
Themes
The central theme of "Poetry To Memory" is the power of poetry to evoke memories and emotions. The speaker of the poem describes how poetry can transport us to different times and places, allowing us to relive past experiences and emotions. The poem also explores the idea that poetry can be a source of comfort and solace in difficult times. The speaker describes how poetry can provide a sense of stability and continuity in a world that is constantly changing.
Structure
"Poetry To Memory" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. The poem follows the traditional structure of a sonnet, with three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with each line written in iambic pentameter. This strict structure gives the poem a sense of order and control, which contrasts with the emotional content of the poem.
Language
The language of "Poetry To Memory" is rich and evocative, with vivid imagery and sensory details. The poem is full of metaphors and similes that compare poetry to different things, such as a "magic mirror" and a "golden key." These comparisons help to convey the idea that poetry has the power to unlock memories and emotions that are otherwise hidden from us.
The poem also uses repetition to emphasize the central theme of the power of poetry. The phrase "Poetry to memory" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and unity. This repetition also reinforces the idea that poetry has the ability to create lasting memories.
Analysis
The first quatrain of the poem sets the scene and introduces the central theme. The speaker describes how poetry can transport us to different times and places, allowing us to relive past experiences and emotions. The metaphor of poetry as a "magic mirror" suggests that poetry has the power to reflect our innermost thoughts and feelings.
The second quatrain explores the idea that poetry can be a source of comfort and solace in difficult times. The speaker describes how poetry can provide a sense of stability and continuity in a world that is constantly changing. The metaphor of poetry as a "golden key" suggests that poetry has the power to unlock hidden emotions and memories.
The third quatrain continues to explore the theme of the power of poetry. The speaker describes how poetry can evoke memories of loved ones who have passed away. The metaphor of poetry as a "silver thread" suggests that poetry has the power to connect us to those who are no longer with us.
The final couplet brings the poem to a close and reinforces the central theme. The speaker declares that poetry is "the voice of all the ages," suggesting that poetry has the power to transcend time and connect us to the past. The final line, "And in our hearts, the memory of its song," emphasizes the idea that poetry has the ability to create lasting memories.
Conclusion
"Poetry To Memory" is a beautiful tribute to the power of poetry and its ability to evoke memories and emotions. The poem's rich language, vivid imagery, and strict structure all contribute to its enduring appeal. The central theme of the power of poetry is timeless and universal, and the poem's message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written over a century ago. Mary Elizabeth Coleridge's "Poetry To Memory" is a true classic that will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.
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