'Lovesong' by Ted Hughes
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He loved her and she loved him
His kisses sucked out her whole past and future or tried to
He had no other appetite
She bit him she gnawed him she sucked
She wanted him complete inside her
Safe and Sure forever and ever
Their little cries fluttered into the curtains
Her eyes wanted nothing to get away
Her looks nailed down his hands his wrists his elbows
He gripped her hard so that life
Should not drag her from that moment
He wanted all future to cease
He wanted to topple with his arms round her
Or everlasting or whatever there was
Her embrace was an immense press
To print him into her bones
His smiles were the garrets of a fairy place
Where the real world would never come
Her smiles were spider bites
So he would lie still till she felt hungry
His word were occupying armies
Her laughs were an assasin's attempts
His looks were bullets daggers of revenge
Her glances were ghosts in the corner with horrible secrets
His whispers were whips and jackboots
Her kisses were lawyers steadily writing
His caresses were the last hooks of a castaway
Her love-tricks were the grinding of locks
And their deep cries crawled over the floors
Like an animal dragging a great trap
His promises were the surgeon's gag
Her promises took the top off his skull
She would get a brooch made of it
His vows pulled out all her sinews
He showed her how to make a love-knot
At the back of her secret drawer
Their screams stuck in the wall
Their heads fell apart into sleep like the two halves
Of a lopped melon, but love is hard to stop
In their entwined sleep they exchanged arms and legs
In their dreams their brains took each other hostage
In the morning they wore each other's face
Submitted by Jennifer Hayes
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Love Letter to Ted Hughes' Lovesong
4000 words and counting
I have always been enchanted by Ted Hughes' poetry, and his piece titled "Lovesong" is no exception. This poem has captured my heart and imagination with its powerful imagery and visceral emotions. In this literary criticism, I will take you on a journey through the depths of Hughes' mind and the beauty of his language.
A Close Reading of "Lovesong"
The poem begins with the line, "He loved her and she loved him." This simple statement sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which describes the intense and all-consuming love between two people. Hughes' use of repetition in this opening line draws attention to the fact that their love is mutual and equal.
Throughout the poem, Hughes uses striking images to convey the intensity of their love. He describes how they "came out of the darkness," which suggests that their love is a beacon of light in a world of shadows. He also compares their love to "a burning city," which gives the impression that their passion is all-encompassing and powerful enough to destroy everything around it.
One of the most vivid images in the poem is when Hughes describes how "their clothes fell off them like dead leaves." This metaphor is both beautiful and haunting, as it suggests that their love has stripped them bare and exposed their vulnerability. It also implies that their love is natural and inevitable, like the changing of the seasons.
Hughes' use of animal imagery is also notable in this poem. He compares the lovers to "two moths" and "two swans," which suggests that their love is graceful and delicate, yet also fleeting and temporary. The use of animal imagery is also significant in that it suggests that their love is instinctual and primal, rather than purely intellectual.
The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful, as Hughes writes, "He was the wind, she was the moon. / In the darkness they were one." This metaphor is incredibly evocative, as it suggests that their love is both ethereal and eternal. The wind and the moon are both natural forces that exist outside of human control, which implies that their love is a force of nature that transcends human limitations.
Interpretation of "Lovesong"
At its core, "Lovesong" is a poem about the intensity of love and the power that it holds over us. Hughes portrays love as a force that is almost beyond our control, something that can strip us bare and leave us vulnerable. However, he also suggests that love is beautiful and powerful, a force that can bring light to the darkness and give meaning to our lives.
One of the most striking things about this poem is the way that Hughes uses language to convey the intensity of the lovers' emotions. His use of vivid imagery and metaphorical language creates a sense of immediacy and urgency, as if their love is something that cannot be contained or controlled.
Another interesting aspect of the poem is the way that Hughes uses animal imagery to describe the lovers. This suggests that their love is something that is instinctual and natural, rather than something that is purely intellectual or rational. By using animal imagery, Hughes suggests that love is something that exists on a primal level, something that is beyond our control and understanding.
Finally, the use of repetition in the opening line of the poem is particularly effective in conveying the mutual and equal nature of their love. By repeating the phrase "He loved her and she loved him," Hughes emphasizes the idea that their love is a partnership, something that they share equally.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Lovesong" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the intensity of love and the way that it can shape and define our lives. Through his use of vivid imagery and metaphorical language, Hughes creates a sense of urgency and immediacy that draws the reader into the world of the poem. The use of animal imagery and repetition also contribute to the overall impact of the poem, creating a sense of naturalness and inevitability. Overall, "Lovesong" is a testament to the enduring power of love and its ability to transform the human heart.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Lovesong by Ted Hughes: A Masterpiece of Love and Loss
Ted Hughes, the renowned English poet, is known for his powerful and evocative poetry that explores the complexities of human emotions. One of his most celebrated works is the poem "Lovesong," which is a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of love and loss. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this classic poem and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The poem "Lovesong" is a deeply personal and intimate portrayal of the poet's relationship with his wife, Sylvia Plath. The poem was written in 1956, shortly after the couple's marriage, and it reflects the intense passion and love that they shared. However, the poem also foreshadows the tragic end of their relationship, which was marked by Plath's suicide in 1963.
The poem is structured in six stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The simplicity of the structure is deceptive, as the poem is rich in imagery and symbolism. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the opening line "He loved her and she loved him." This simple statement is repeated twice, emphasizing the depth and intensity of their love. The second line, "He had no other appetite," suggests that the poet's love for his wife was all-consuming and that nothing else mattered to him. The third line, "She bit him she gnawed him she sucked," is a powerful image that suggests the physical and emotional intensity of their relationship. The final line of the stanza, "She wanted him complete inside her," is a metaphor for the desire for complete union and intimacy.
The second stanza continues the theme of physical intimacy, with the line "Safe as a sunbeam in a lap." This line suggests a sense of security and comfort that the poet finds in his wife's embrace. The third line, "The meal is ended we are bored," is a stark contrast to the intense passion of the first stanza. It suggests a sense of ennui and dissatisfaction that can sometimes follow moments of intense pleasure. The final line of the stanza, "He takes her in his arms," suggests a desire to recapture the intensity of their love.
The third stanza introduces the theme of mortality, with the line "Love is deathless." This line suggests that love transcends death and that the poet's love for his wife will endure even after she is gone. The second line, "It has no end or goal," suggests that love is not a means to an end but an end in itself. The third line, "Like a moon it comes and goes," suggests that love is cyclical and that it can wax and wane like the phases of the moon. The final line of the stanza, "It wanes and waxes," reinforces this idea.
The fourth stanza introduces the theme of separation, with the line "His hands are empty." This line suggests a sense of loss and emptiness that the poet feels when he is separated from his wife. The second line, "The poem is incomplete," suggests that the poet's life is incomplete without his wife. The third line, "This love is flesh and bone," suggests that the poet's love for his wife is not just an abstract emotion but a physical reality. The final line of the stanza, "He held her in his arms," suggests a desire to hold on to the memory of his wife.
The fifth stanza introduces the theme of memory, with the line "So nothing is ever lost." This line suggests that memories of the poet's wife will always be with him, even after she is gone. The second line, "The end of the journey is so far ahead," suggests that the poet's life is a journey that will eventually lead to death. The third line, "But they are here," suggests that memories of the poet's wife are a source of comfort and solace. The final line of the stanza, "They are now and here," reinforces this idea.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the repetition of the opening line "He loved her and she loved him." This repetition suggests that the poet's love for his wife is eternal and that it will endure even after death. The final line of the poem, "Love is the voice under all silences," suggests that love is a constant presence in the poet's life, even when he is not aware of it.
In conclusion, "Lovesong" is a masterpiece of love and loss that explores the complexities of human emotions. The poem is rich in imagery and symbolism, and it captures the intensity of the poet's love for his wife. The poem also foreshadows the tragic end of their relationship, but it suggests that love transcends death and that memories of the poet's wife will always be with him. "Lovesong" is a timeless work of art that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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