'One Word Is Too Often Profaned' by Percy Bysshe Shelley
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One word is too often profaned
For me to profane it;
One feeling too falsely disdained
For thee to disdain it;
One hope is too like despair
For prudence to smother;
And pity from thee more dear
Than that from another.
I can give not what men call love;
But wilt thou accept not
The worship the heart lifts above
And the heavens reject not, --
The desire of the moth for the star,
Of the night for the morrow,
The devotion to something afar
From the sphere of our sorrow?
Editor 1 Interpretation
One Word Is Too Often Profaned: A Critical Analysis
Oh, what a delightful poem by the romantic poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley! The title itself, "One Word Is Too Often Profaned," is enough to pique one's curiosity. What does Shelley mean by this? What is the significance of a single word? Let's delve deeper into this classic poem.
The Poem
Before we begin our analysis, let's first read the poem in its entirety:
One word is too often profaned
For me to profane it,
One feeling too falsely disdained
For thee to disdain it.
One hope is too like despair
For prudence to smother,
And pity from thee more dear
Than that from another.
I can give not what men call love,
But wilt thou accept not
The worship the heart lifts above
And the Heavens reject not:
The desire of the moth for the star,
Of the night for the morrow,
The devotion to something afar
From the sphere of our sorrow?
Analysis
The Title
The title of the poem, "One Word Is Too Often Profaned," sets the tone for the entire piece. The word referred to is not explicitly stated, but we can infer that it is likely the word "love." This word is often overused and misused, leading to its profanity.
The First Stanza
In the first stanza, Shelley states that a single word is too valuable to be profaned. He is likely referring to the word "love," as previously mentioned. He then asserts that a single feeling is too important to be dismissed as false. It is unclear who he is addressing in this stanza, but we can assume that it is a lover or a potential lover.
The Second Stanza
The second stanza compares hope and despair, stating that they are too similar for prudence to suppress. This could mean that hope is often mistaken for despair, or that the two are so intertwined that they cannot be separated. Shelley then asserts that pity from the beloved is more valuable than pity from anyone else.
The Third Stanza
In the third stanza, Shelley admits that he cannot give the type of love that society expects. He then asks if his beloved will accept the worship of his heart, which is lifted above and rejected by the heavens. The final lines of this stanza are particularly striking, comparing his devotion to something far away from the sphere of their sorrow.
Overall Interpretation
One interpretation of this poem is that Shelley is expressing his frustration with societal expectations of love. He believes that the word "love" is overused and misused, leading to its profanity. He also believes that there is a difference between societal expectations of love and the true devotion of the heart.
In the poem, Shelley is attempting to convey his deep feelings for his beloved, but he struggles to find the right words. He acknowledges that he cannot give the type of love that society expects, but he hopes that his beloved will accept his unique form of devotion. He compares his devotion to something far away, implying that it is beyond societal norms and expectations.
One could also interpret this poem as a commentary on the nature of love itself. Shelley implies that love is not a simple emotion, but rather a complex feeling that cannot be fully expressed through words. He also implies that love is often misunderstood and misinterpreted by society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "One Word Is Too Often Profaned" is a beautiful poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley that explores the complexities of love and the frustration with societal expectations. Shelley's use of language and imagery is powerful, and the poem leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
One Word Is Too Often Profaned: A Masterpiece by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Percy Bysshe Shelley, one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era, was a master of expressing complex emotions through his poetry. His poem "One Word Is Too Often Profaned" is a perfect example of his ability to convey deep feelings in a few lines of verse. This poem is a powerful exploration of the nature of love, and the way in which it can be destroyed by careless words.
The poem begins with the line "One word is too often profaned," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Shelley is suggesting that there is a single word that is so important, so sacred, that it should never be spoken lightly. This word, of course, is "love." Shelley is saying that the word "love" is so powerful that it should only be used when it is truly meant, and that using it carelessly can have devastating consequences.
The second line of the poem, "For me, suffice the nameless grace," is a beautiful expression of the idea that sometimes words are not enough to express the depth of our emotions. Shelley is saying that there is a kind of grace, a nameless quality, that exists beyond words. This grace is something that we can feel, but not necessarily articulate. It is a reminder that there are some things that are too profound to be captured by language alone.
In the third line of the poem, Shelley writes, "To bow thyself in thine own soul's despair." This line is a powerful expression of the idea that love can be a source of great pain. Shelley is suggesting that when we love someone deeply, we make ourselves vulnerable to their pain and suffering. We are willing to "bow" ourselves, to humble ourselves, in order to be close to them. This vulnerability can be terrifying, but it is also what makes love so powerful.
The fourth line of the poem, "But even that must pass away," is a reminder that nothing in life is permanent. Even the deepest, most profound love will eventually fade away. This is a difficult truth to accept, but it is also what makes life so precious. We must cherish the moments of love and connection that we have, because they will not last forever.
The fifth line of the poem, "And die as it was born, obscure and alone," is a haunting expression of the idea that love is ultimately a solitary experience. No matter how deeply we love someone, we can never fully enter into their experience of the world. We are always alone in our own minds, and this is true even when we are in love. Love is a beautiful, powerful thing, but it is also a reminder of our own isolation.
The final line of the poem, "But never find so sweet a rest," is a bittersweet expression of the idea that even though love is fleeting, it is still worth pursuing. Shelley is saying that even though love will eventually fade away, it is still the most beautiful and meaningful thing that we can experience in life. The rest that comes from loving someone deeply is a sweetness that cannot be found anywhere else.
In conclusion, "One Word Is Too Often Profaned" is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry. Shelley's ability to express complex emotions in just a few lines of verse is truly remarkable. This poem is a powerful exploration of the nature of love, and the way in which it can be destroyed by careless words. It is a reminder that love is a beautiful, powerful thing, but it is also fleeting and ultimately solitary. Despite this, love is still worth pursuing, because it is the most meaningful and beautiful thing that we can experience in life.
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