'A Pretty Woman' by Robert Browning
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
I
That fawn-skin-dappled hair of hers,
And the blue eye
Dear and dewy,
And that infantine fresh air of hers!
II
To think men cannot take you, Sweet,
And enfold you,
Ay, and hold you,
And so keep you what they make you, Sweet!
III
You like us for a glance, you know—
For a word's sake,
Or a sword's sake,
All's the same, whate'er the chance, you know.
IV
And in turn we make you ours, we say—
You and youth too,
Eyes and mouth too,
All the face composed of flowers, we say.
V
All's our own, to make the most of, Sweet—
Sing and say for,
Watch and pray for,
Keep a secret or go boast of, Sweet.
VI
But for loving, why, you would not, Sweet,
Though we prayed you,
Paid you, brayed you
In a mortar—for you could not, Sweet.
VII
So, we leave the sweet face fondly there—
Be its beauty
Its sole duty!
Let all hope of grace beyond, lie there!
VIII
And while the face lies quiet there,
Who shall wonder
That I ponder
A conclusion? I will try it there.
IX
As,—why must one, for the love forgone,
Scout mere liking?
Thunder-striking
Earth,—the heaven, we looked above for, gone!
X
Why with beauty, needs there money be—
Love with liking?
Crush the fly-king
In his gauze, because no honey bee?
XI
May not liking be so simple-sweet,
If love grew there
'Twould undo there
All that breaks the cheek to dimples sweet?
XII
Is the creature too imperfect, say?
Would you mend it
And so end it?
Since not all addition perfects aye!
XIII
Or is it of its kind, perhaps,
Just perfection—
Whence, rejection
Of a grace not to its mind, perhaps?
XIV
Shall we burn up, tread that face at once
Into tinder
And so hinder
Sparks from kindling all the place at once?
XV
Or else kiss away one's soul on her?
Your love-fancies!—
A sick man sees
Truer, when his hot eyes roll on her!
XVI
Thus the craftsman thinks to grace the rose,—
Plucks a mould-flower
For his gold flower,
Uses fine things that efface the rose.
XVII
Rosy rubies make its cup more rose,
Precious metals
Ape the petals,—
Last, some old king locks it up, morose!
XVIII
Then, how grace a rose? I know a way!
Leave it rather.
Must you gather?
Smell, kiss, wear it—at last, throw away!
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Pretty Woman by Robert Browning: A Deep Dive into the Depths of Love and Beauty
Have you ever looked at someone and felt a rush of emotions that you couldn't quite understand? Have you ever been enchanted by someone's beauty, but upon getting to know them, realized that there was much more to them than meets the eye? These are the questions that Robert Browning's poem, A Pretty Woman, seeks to answer. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes and motifs of this classic poem, and explore the layers of meaning hidden beneath its deceptively simple surface.
The Poem: A Pretty Woman
Before we begin our analysis, let us take a moment to read the poem in its entirety:
A Pretty Woman
I. That fawn-skin-dappled hair of hers, And the blue eye Dear and dewy, And that infantine fresh air of hers!
II. To think men cannot take you, Sweet, And enfold you, Ay, and hold you, And thereby Heaven's gate anticipate!
III. Ay, and if Hell should snatch you thence, Hell yet were lucky! Elle est donc, tantôt m'amie, Tantôt maîtresse.
IV. What? Those two antlers on thy brow, Marks of a devil in part, Dear, are they? Bend and give in then! They shall cleave my breast.
V. What? That sales divine complacency Where Heavenward she leans? O dearest, where your eyebrow spans Such a river, Tempests are nothing!
VI. What? Round her neck a scarf of pearl? Spirits of evil Sardonyx too? What should deter me? Never stir!
VII. And so, as 'mid the dark, a gleam Of yet another world Through thy flesh shall pierce, I hope So to rush forth, and there to plead At one bar for such a need!
Now that we have read the poem, let us begin our analysis.
The Themes of Love and Beauty
At its core, A Pretty Woman is a poem about love and beauty. The speaker of the poem is enamored with the titular Pretty Woman, and he cannot help but be drawn to her. But there is more to this infatuation than just physical attraction. The speaker is taken by the woman's "infantine fresh air" and "divine complacency," suggesting that there is something about her demeanor that is both innocent and alluring.
But this attraction is not simple or straightforward. The speaker is acutely aware of the fact that other men may also desire the Pretty Woman, and he is jealous of the idea that they may be able to "enfold" and "hold" her. Yet despite this jealousy, the speaker still sees the potential for something greater between himself and the Pretty Woman. He believes that by being with her, he may be able to "anticipate Heaven's gate" and achieve a sense of transcendence.
This tension between desire and jealousy is heightened further in the later stanzas of the poem. The speaker acknowledges that the Pretty Woman may have "marks of a devil" in her, but he sees this as an opportunity to prove his love for her. He declares that if she were to "bend and give in," he would be willing to take the antlers on her brow that represent her devilish nature, even if they were to "cleave [his] breast."
In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker takes this idea even further. He sees the Pretty Woman as a gateway to another world, a place where he can plead for his deepest desires. He hopes that by being with her, he can transcend the bounds of his mortal existence and achieve something greater.
The Motifs of Nature and the Supernatural
One of the most striking aspects of A Pretty Woman is its use of natural and supernatural motifs. The Pretty Woman is compared to a fawn, with "fawn-skin-dappled hair" that suggests a connection to the natural world. This connection is further emphasized by the use of the word "infantine," which suggests a sense of purity and innocence.
But there is also a darker side to this connection to nature. The Pretty Woman is described as having "marks of a devil," which suggests that there is something supernatural about her as well. This idea is further emphasized by the use of the French phrase "Elle est donc, tantôt m'amie, Tantôt maîtresse" (She is therefore, sometimes my friend, sometimes my mistress), which suggests a duality or ambiguity in her nature.
These motifs of nature and the supernatural serve to further heighten the tension between desire and jealousy in the poem. The speaker is drawn to the Pretty Woman precisely because of her connection to the natural world, but he is also aware of the danger that comes with her supernatural qualities. He sees her as both innocent and alluring, but also potentially dangerous and devilish.
The Use of Language and Structure
One of the most striking things about A Pretty Woman is its use of language and structure. The poem is written in a series of seven stanzas, each with its own distinct rhythm and rhyme scheme. This creates a sense of movement and momentum that propels the poem forward, even as the speaker grapples with his conflicting emotions.
The language of the poem is also notable for its use of repetition and rhetorical questions. The phrase "What?" is repeated several times throughout the poem, as the speaker questions his own desires and motivations. This repetition creates a sense of uncertainty and doubt that further emphasizes the tension between desire and jealousy.
Similarly, the use of rhetorical questions serves to highlight the speaker's internal struggle. He asks whether the Pretty Woman's antlers are "marks of a devil," and whether her scarf of pearls is a sign of "spirits of evil." These questions suggest that the speaker is grappling with his own conflicting emotions, and that he is unsure of how to reconcile his desire with his jealousy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A Pretty Woman is a poem that explores the complexities of love and beauty. Through its use of natural and supernatural motifs, as well as its repetition and rhetorical questions, the poem creates a sense of tension and uncertainty that reflects the speaker's internal struggle. Ultimately, the poem suggests that there is something ineffable and transcendent about our attraction to beauty, even as we grapple with the darker impulses that come with desire.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Pretty Woman: A Masterpiece of Robert Browning
Robert Browning, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, is known for his dramatic monologues that explore the complexities of human nature. Among his many works, "A Pretty Woman" stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of love, desire, and the human condition.
The poem, written in 1862, is a dramatic monologue that portrays a man's infatuation with a beautiful woman. The speaker, who remains unnamed, describes his encounter with the woman and his overwhelming desire to possess her. The poem is structured in six stanzas, each with a different rhyme scheme, and is written in iambic pentameter.
The poem begins with the speaker's description of the woman's physical beauty. He describes her as "fair" and "lovely," with "eyes as bright as diamonds." He is immediately captivated by her beauty and is unable to resist her charms. The speaker's obsession with the woman is evident in his repeated use of the word "pretty," which emphasizes his fixation on her physical appearance.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's desire for the woman becomes more intense. He imagines himself as her lover, describing their passionate encounters in vivid detail. He speaks of "kisses sweeter than wine" and "love that would last forever." The speaker's language is sensual and erotic, reflecting his intense desire for the woman.
However, the speaker's desire for the woman is not reciprocated. She is described as "cold" and "proud," and is uninterested in the speaker's advances. Despite this, the speaker remains fixated on her, unable to let go of his desire for her. He speaks of his "aching heart" and his "burning desire," which only intensifies his obsession with the woman.
The poem's final stanza is particularly poignant, as the speaker reflects on his unrequited love for the woman. He speaks of his "broken heart" and his realization that his love for her was nothing more than a fleeting infatuation. The speaker's language is melancholic and reflective, as he comes to terms with the fact that his desire for the woman was never meant to be.
"A Pretty Woman" is a powerful exploration of love, desire, and the human condition. Browning's use of language is masterful, as he captures the speaker's obsession with the woman in vivid detail. The poem's structure, with its changing rhyme scheme and iambic pentameter, adds to the poem's sense of urgency and intensity.
The poem's themes are timeless and universal, as they explore the complexities of human desire and the pain of unrequited love. The speaker's obsession with the woman is something that many people can relate to, as we have all experienced the pain of wanting something that we cannot have.
In conclusion, "A Pretty Woman" is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that explores the complexities of human desire and the pain of unrequited love. Browning's use of language is masterful, as he captures the speaker's obsession with the woman in vivid detail. The poem's themes are timeless and universal, making it a work of art that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor Recommended Sites
Knowledge Graph Consulting: Consulting in DFW for Knowledge graphs, taxonomy and reasoning systemsCloud Actions - Learn Cloud actions & Cloud action Examples: Learn and get examples for Cloud Actions
Roleplay Metaverse: Role-playing in the metaverse
Music Theory: Best resources for Music theory and ear training online
Ocaml Tips: Ocaml Programming Tips and tricks
Recommended Similar Analysis
Light Breaks Where No Sun Shines by Dylan Thomas analysisLament of the Frontier Guard by Ezra Pound analysis
Frog Autumn by Sylvia Plath analysis
Hear the Voice of the Bard by William Blake analysis
Walking Around by Pablo Neruda analysis
UPON JULIA'S CLOTHES by Robert Herrick analysis
In the End by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Amor Vincit Omnia by Edgar Bowers analysis
Carrion Comfort by Gerard Manley Hopkins analysis
Hymn To Intellectual Beauty by Percy Bysshe Shelley analysis