'Prayer To Persephone' by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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Be to her, Persephone,
All the things I might not be:
Take her head upon your knee.
She that was so proud and wild,
Flippant, arrogant and free,
She that had no need of me,
Is a little lonely child
Lost in Hell,—Persephone,
Take her head upon your knee:
Say to her, "My dear, my dear,
It is not so dreadful here."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Prayer To Persephone by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Have you ever been so moved by a poem that you felt like the words were speaking directly to your soul? That's how I feel every time I read Prayer To Persephone by Edna St. Vincent Millay. This classic poem is a masterpiece of modernist literature, and it continues to inspire readers and writers alike more than a century after it was first published. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the rich symbolism and vivid imagery of Prayer To Persephone, exploring its themes of life, death, and rebirth.

Background

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to explore the context in which it was written. Edna St. Vincent Millay was a prominent American poet who lived from 1892 to 1950. She was part of the modernist literary movement, which emerged in the early 20th century and was characterized by a rejection of traditional forms and conventions.

Prayer To Persephone was published in 1922 as part of Millay's collection, "Second April". The poem is written in free verse, which was a hallmark of modernist poetry. Free verse is a form of poetry that does not adhere to traditional meter or rhyme schemes. Instead, it allows the poet to experiment with the rhythms and sounds of language to create a more natural and expressive form of poetry.

Analysis

Now, let's turn our attention to Prayer To Persephone itself. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct imagery and symbolism.

Stanza 1

In the first stanza, the speaker addresses Persephone, the Greek goddess of the underworld. The speaker implores Persephone to "bring again the roses to the dells" and "the sweet music of the wren". These images are associated with spring and renewal, suggesting that the speaker is asking Persephone to bring life back to the world after the darkness of winter.

But the stanza also contains darker imagery, such as "the hyacinth for the shepherd's eye" and "the woundwort for the maiden's dye". These plants are associated with death and sacrifice, suggesting that the renewal of life requires a sacrifice of some kind.

Stanza 2

The second stanza shifts the focus to the speaker's own mortality. The speaker asks Persephone to "bring peace into my heart" and "take my hand and lead me home". These lines suggest that the speaker is ready for death and is asking Persephone to guide them through the underworld to the afterlife.

But the stanza also contains a sense of uncertainty and fear. The speaker asks Persephone to "open the door that I may be" and "see the cool and friendly dawn". These lines suggest that the speaker is not entirely sure what lies beyond death and is seeking reassurance.

Stanza 3

The final stanza brings the themes of life, death, and rebirth together. The speaker asks Persephone to "rise and dry your tears" and "lift your bowed head". These lines suggest that Persephone is mourning the loss of life and is being called upon to bring it back.

But the stanza also contains a sense of acceptance and hope. The speaker declares that "life is dead and love is tired, and thou art sweet". These lines suggest that life has its cycles and that even in death, there is a sense of sweetness and beauty.

Interpretation

So what does all of this imagery and symbolism mean? At its core, Prayer To Persephone is a meditation on the cyclical nature of life and death. The poem suggests that life is full of cycles, and that even in death, there is a sense of renewal and rebirth.

The first stanza represents the beginning of the cycle, with the renewal of life. The second stanza represents the middle of the cycle, with the speaker facing their own mortality. And the third stanza represents the end of the cycle, with the acceptance of death and the hope for renewal.

But the poem also contains a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. The imagery of death and sacrifice suggests that renewal requires a sacrifice of some kind. And the uncertainty and fear in the second stanza suggest that even the speaker is not entirely sure what lies beyond death.

Overall, Prayer To Persephone is a powerful and deeply moving poem that speaks to the universal human experience of life, death, and rebirth. Its rich imagery and symbolism continue to inspire readers and writers alike, and its themes remain as relevant today as they were when it was first published over a century ago.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Prayer To Persephone: An Ode to the Goddess of Spring

Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem "Prayer To Persephone" is a beautiful and haunting ode to the goddess of spring. The poem is a plea to Persephone to bring back the warmth and beauty of spring after the long, cold winter. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in the poem, and how they contribute to the overall meaning and impact of the work.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing Persephone, the queen of the underworld, who is also known as the goddess of spring. The speaker implores Persephone to "come back to us, Beloved" and to "bring the warmth and beauty of spring." The use of the word "Beloved" suggests a deep reverence and love for the goddess, and sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

The first stanza of the poem is filled with vivid imagery of the winter landscape. The speaker describes the "cold, gray stones" and the "frozen earth" that have been "locked in winter's icy grip." The use of the word "locked" suggests a sense of imprisonment or confinement, which is a recurring theme in the poem. The speaker also describes the "wind that howls" and the "snow that falls," creating a sense of desolation and despair.

In the second stanza, the speaker contrasts the bleakness of winter with the beauty and vitality of spring. The speaker describes the "green world" that emerges when Persephone returns, and the "flowers that bloom" and "birds that sing." The use of the word "bloom" suggests growth and renewal, while the word "sing" suggests joy and celebration. The contrast between the two stanzas highlights the transformative power of Persephone's return.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker describes the "dead things" that are brought back to life when Persephone returns. The speaker describes the "dead leaves" that "stir" and the "dead grass" that "sprouts." The use of the word "dead" suggests that these things were once alive, but have been dormant or lifeless during the winter months. The fact that they are brought back to life when Persephone returns suggests that she has the power to resurrect the dead.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a plea to Persephone to bring back the warmth and beauty of spring. The speaker implores Persephone to "come back to us, Beloved" and to "bring the warmth and beauty of spring." The repetition of the phrase "come back to us" emphasizes the speaker's desperation and longing for Persephone's return.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the cyclical nature of life and death. The speaker acknowledges that "death is a part of life" and that "spring cannot return unless winter has come and gone." The use of the word "part" suggests that death is not the end, but rather a necessary step in the cycle of life. The speaker also acknowledges that "Persephone must return to the underworld" and that "we must let her go." This suggests that the speaker understands the importance of letting go and accepting the natural order of things.

Throughout the poem, there are several recurring themes and symbols that contribute to the overall meaning and impact of the work. One of the most prominent themes is the cyclical nature of life and death. The poem suggests that death is not the end, but rather a necessary step in the cycle of life. This theme is reinforced by the imagery of the dead things that are brought back to life when Persephone returns.

Another recurring theme in the poem is the transformative power of nature. The poem suggests that nature has the power to transform the bleakness of winter into the beauty and vitality of spring. This theme is reinforced by the imagery of the "green world" that emerges when Persephone returns, and the "flowers that bloom" and "birds that sing."

The use of symbolism in the poem is also significant. Persephone herself is a symbol of the transformative power of nature, as well as the cyclical nature of life and death. The use of the word "Beloved" to address Persephone suggests that she is also a symbol of love and reverence.

The imagery of the winter landscape, with its "cold, gray stones" and "frozen earth," is a symbol of death and despair. The imagery of the spring landscape, with its "flowers that bloom" and "birds that sing," is a symbol of life and renewal.

In conclusion, "Prayer To Persephone" is a beautiful and haunting ode to the goddess of spring. The poem explores themes of the cyclical nature of life and death, the transformative power of nature, and the importance of letting go and accepting the natural order of things. The use of vivid imagery and symbolism contributes to the overall meaning and impact of the work, creating a powerful and moving tribute to the goddess of spring.

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