'Seven Sisters, The' by William Wordsworth


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Seven Daughter had Lord Archibald,
All children of one mother:
You could not say in one short day
What love they bore each other.
A garland, of seven lilies, wrought!
Seven sisters that together dwell;
But he, bold Knight as ever fought,
Their Father, took of them no thought,
He loved the wars so well.
Sing, mournfully, oh! mournfully,
The solitude of Binnorie!

Fresh blows the wind, a western wind,
And from the shores of Erin,
Across the wave, a Rover brave
To Binnorie is steering:
Right onward to the Scottish strand
The gallant ship is borne;
The warriors leap upon the land,
And hark! the Leader of the band
Hath blown his bugle horn.
Sing, mournfully, oh! mournfully,
The solitude of Binnorie!

Beside a grotto of their own,
With boughs above them closing,
The Seven are laid, and in the shade
They lie like fawns reposing.
But now, upstarting with affright
At noise of man and steed,
Away they fly to left, to rightÑ
Of your fair household, Father-knight,
Methinks you take small heed!
Sing, mournfully, oh! mournfully,
The solitude of Binnorie!

Away the even fair Campbells fly,
And, over hill and hollow,
With menace proud, and insult loud,
The youthful Rovers follow.
Cried they, "Your Father loves to roam:
Enough for him to find
The empty house when he comes home;
For us your yellow ringlets comb,
For us be fair and kind!"
Sing, mournfully, oh! mournfully,
The solitude of Binnorie!

Some close behind, some side to side,
Like clouds in stormy weather;
They run, and cry, "Nay, let us die,
And let us die together."
A lake was near; the shore was steep;
There never foot had been;
They ran, and with a deperate leap
Together plunged into the deep,
Nor ever more were seen.
Sing, mournfully, oh! mournfully,
The solitude of Binnorie!

The stream that flows out of the lake,
As through the glen it rambles,
Repeats a moan o'er moss and stone,
For those seven lovely Campbells.
Seven little Islands, green and bare,
Have risen from out the deep:
The fishers say, those sisters fair,
By faeries all are buried there,
And there together sleep.
Sing, mournfully, oh! mournfully,
The solitude of Binnorie!


Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deep Dive into William Wordsworth's Seven Sisters

When it comes to poetry, William Wordsworth is an icon in the literary world. His works have left a deep impression on readers and critics alike, and his poem Seven Sisters is no exception. This poem is considered one of his best works, and it's not hard to see why. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore this poem in detail, examining its themes, structure, and language. So buckle up and get ready to dive deep into the world of Seven Sisters.

What is Seven Sisters?

First things first, let's talk about what Seven Sisters is all about. This poem is inspired by the Seven Sisters cliffs in southern England, which are a series of chalk cliffs that stretch for several miles along the coast. Wordsworth visited this place in 1801, and it left a deep impression on him. Seven Sisters is a tribute to this natural wonder, and it's an ode to the beauty and power of nature.

The Structure of Seven Sisters

One of the first things you'll notice about Seven Sisters is its structure. This poem is composed of six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. This gives the poem a very musical quality, and it's easy to get lost in the rhythm of the lines. But there's more to the structure of Seven Sisters than just its rhyme and meter.

Each stanza is a self-contained unit, but they all work together to create a larger picture. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the cliffs as "sisters" who stand "erect, to point their slender fingers high, / And pierce the sky." The second stanza introduces the idea of time and how the cliffs have stood "for ages" and will continue to stand for "ages yet to come." The third stanza shifts the focus to the sea, describing the "wild waves" crashing against the cliffs. The fourth stanza talks about the "fleecy clouds" that hover above the cliffs. The fifth stanza brings the focus back to the cliffs and how they "shrink not from the sun's fierce rays." Finally, the sixth stanza ties everything together, describing the cliffs as "Nature's own grand temple" and "a shrine where all the gods might come to rest."

The structure of Seven Sisters is very deliberate and purposeful. Each stanza builds on the previous one, adding to the overall picture of the cliffs and their place in the world. The poem has a very cyclical feel to it, with each stanza leading seamlessly into the next.

The Language of Seven Sisters

The language of Seven Sisters is another one of its strengths. Wordsworth was known for his ability to capture the beauty of nature in his poetry, and he definitely achieves that in this poem. One of the most striking things about the language of Seven Sisters is its simplicity. Wordsworth doesn't use complicated words or convoluted syntax. Instead, he relies on simple, straightforward language to convey his message.

Take, for example, the first stanza:

Among the dwellers in the silent fields The natural sisters of one family, That with connatural bond, securely free, Ranged in ungraduated beauty, yields

Wordsworth uses simple language to describe the cliffs as "sisters" who stand "erect" and "slender." But despite the simplicity of the language, there's a certain elegance to it. Wordsworth's use of alliteration, assonance, and consonance gives the lines a musical quality that's hard to resist.

The language of Seven Sisters is also very sensory. Wordsworth doesn't just describe what he sees; he describes what he feels, hears, and smells. In the third stanza, for example, he describes the sea as "raving" and "foaming," and you can almost hear the waves crashing against the cliffs. In the fifth stanza, he describes the "warm breath" of the sun as it beats down on the cliffs, and you can almost feel the heat on your skin.

The Themes of Seven Sisters

So what are the themes of Seven Sisters? There are several, but one of the most prominent is the idea of timelessness. Throughout the poem, Wordsworth emphasizes the idea that the cliffs have stood for ages and will continue to stand for ages yet to come. They are a constant in a world that is constantly changing. This idea of timelessness is reflected in the simplicity of the language and the cyclical structure of the poem.

Another theme of Seven Sisters is the power of nature. Wordsworth is in awe of the cliffs and the sea, and he recognizes their power and majesty. In the third stanza, he describes the sea as a "mighty being" that "raves" and "foams" against the cliffs. In the fifth stanza, he describes the sun as a "stern god" that beats down on the cliffs with "fierce rays." But despite their power, the cliffs and the sea are also beautiful and awe-inspiring.

Finally, Seven Sisters is a poem about the interconnectedness of nature. Wordsworth sees the cliffs, the sea, and the sky as all part of a larger whole. In the sixth stanza, he describes the cliffs as "Nature's own grand temple" and "a shrine where all the gods might come to rest." This idea of interconnectedness is reflected in the rhyme and meter of the poem, which give it a sense of unity and harmony.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Seven Sisters is a wonderful poem that showcases Wordsworth's skills as a poet. The structure is deliberate and purposeful, the language is simple yet elegant, and the themes are timeless and powerful. This poem is a tribute to the beauty and majesty of nature, and it's a reminder that we are all part of a larger whole. If you haven't read Seven Sisters before, I highly recommend it. It's a wonderful example of what poetry can be when it's done right.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Seven Sisters, written by William Wordsworth, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. This poem is a perfect example of Wordsworth's romantic style of poetry, which is characterized by an emphasis on nature, emotion, and individualism. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature and the power of the human spirit to connect with it.

The poem is divided into seven stanzas, each of which is dedicated to one of the seven sisters. The seven sisters are the Pleiades, a group of stars in the constellation Taurus. In Greek mythology, the Pleiades were the daughters of Atlas and Pleione, and they were known for their beauty and grace. In the poem, Wordsworth uses the seven sisters as a metaphor for the beauty and wonder of nature.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Wordsworth describes the Pleiades as "seven lovely sisters" who "dance in the sky." He goes on to describe their beauty and grace, saying that they are "fairer than the moon" and "more lovely than the dawn." This stanza sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the beauty of nature.

In the second stanza, Wordsworth turns his attention to the earth. He describes the beauty of the earth, saying that it is "fairer than the Pleiades" and "more lovely than the stars." He goes on to describe the beauty of the mountains, the rivers, and the forests. This stanza is a celebration of the beauty of the natural world and the power of nature to inspire awe and wonder.

The third stanza of the poem is a meditation on the power of the human spirit to connect with nature. Wordsworth describes how the human spirit can "soar above the earth" and "touch the stars." He goes on to describe how the human spirit can connect with nature and find peace and joy in its beauty. This stanza is a celebration of the power of the human spirit to transcend the limitations of the physical world and connect with something greater.

In the fourth stanza, Wordsworth returns to the Pleiades. He describes how they "shine like gems" and "sparkle in the sky." He goes on to describe how they are a symbol of the beauty and wonder of the natural world. This stanza is a celebration of the beauty of the stars and the power they have to inspire awe and wonder.

The fifth stanza of the poem is a meditation on the passage of time. Wordsworth describes how the Pleiades have been shining in the sky for thousands of years, and how they will continue to shine for thousands more. He goes on to describe how the natural world is constantly changing, but how its beauty remains constant. This stanza is a celebration of the beauty of the natural world and the power it has to endure.

In the sixth stanza, Wordsworth turns his attention to the human experience. He describes how the human spirit can find peace and joy in the beauty of nature, and how it can be uplifted by the power of the natural world. He goes on to describe how the human spirit can find solace in the beauty of the stars, and how it can be inspired by the wonder of the natural world. This stanza is a celebration of the power of nature to uplift and inspire the human spirit.

The final stanza of the poem is a meditation on the power of poetry to capture the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Wordsworth describes how poetry can "paint the stars" and "sing the beauty of the earth." He goes on to describe how poetry can capture the essence of the natural world and convey it to others. This stanza is a celebration of the power of poetry to inspire awe and wonder in the hearts of its readers.

In conclusion, The Poetry Seven Sisters is a masterpiece of romantic poetry. It is a celebration of the beauty and wonder of the natural world, and a meditation on the power of the human spirit to connect with it. Wordsworth's use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, and his language is both beautiful and evocative. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of nature to inspire and uplift the human spirit, and to the power of poetry to capture its beauty and wonder.

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