'The Ringlet' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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'Your ringlets, your ringlets,
That look so golden-gay,
If you will give me one, but one,
To kiss it night and day,
The never chilling touch of Time
Will turn it silver-gray;
And then shall I know it is all true gold
To flame and sparkle and stream as of old.
Till all the comets in heaven are cold,
And all her stars decay.'
'Then take it, love, and put it by;
This cannot change, nor yet can I.'
'My ringlet, my ringlet,
That art so golden-gay,
Now never chilling touch of Time
Can turn thee silver-gray;
And a lad may wink, and a girl may hint,
And a fool may say his say;
For my doubts and fears were all amiss,
And I swear henceforth by this and this,
That a doubt will only come for a kiss,
And a fear to be kiss'd away.'
'Then kiss it, love, and put it by:
If this can change, why so can I.'
O Ringlet, O Ringlet,
I kiss'd you night and day,
And Ringlet, O Ringlet,
You still are golden-gay,
But Ringlet, O Ringlet,
You should be silver-gray:
For what is this which now I'm told,
I that took you for true gold,
She that gave you 's bought and sold,
Sold, sold.
O Ringlet, O Ringlet,
She blush'd a rosy red,
When Ringlet, O Ringlet
She clipt you from her head,
And Ringlet, O Ringlet,
She gave you me, and said,
'Come, kiss it, love and put it by:
If this can change, why so can I.'
O fie, you golden nothing, fie,
You golden lie.
O Ringlet, O Ringlet,
I count you much to blame,
For Ringlet, O Ringlet,
You put me much to shame,
So Ringlet, O Ringlet,
I doom you to the flame.
For what is this which now I learn,
Has given all my faith a turn?
Burn, you glossy heretic, burn,
Burn, burn.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Ringlet by Alfred, Lord Tennyson: A Masterpiece of Victorian Poetry
As a lover of poetry, I have always admired the works of Alfred, Lord Tennyson. His mastery of language, his command of rhythm and rhyme, and his ability to evoke powerful emotions through his words never cease to amaze me. Among his many works, one poem that stands out for me is "The Ringlet". This poem, with its intricate imagery and subtle symbolism, is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that deserves to be studied and appreciated for generations to come.
The Poem
The poem "The Ringlet" is a short, four-stanza poem that tells the story of a young woman who loses a ringlet of hair while walking in the woods. The ringlet is found by a young man who is struck by its beauty and decides to keep it. The woman later discovers that the ringlet is missing and searches for it in vain. The poem ends with the young man still holding the ringlet and wondering about its meaning.
The Analysis
At first glance, "The Ringlet" seems like a simple narrative poem with a straightforward plot. However, a closer examination reveals a deeper layer of meaning that is woven into the poem through Tennyson's use of imagery, symbolism, and allusion.
Imagery
One of the most striking features of "The Ringlet" is its vivid and detailed imagery. Tennyson uses sensory language to create a picture of the natural world that is both beautiful and ominous. The woods, through which the woman walks, are described as "dark", "thick", and "wild". The trees are "tangled" and "leafless", and the only sounds are the "raven's croak" and the "owl's hoot". This imagery creates a sense of foreboding and danger that contrasts with the woman's innocent and carefree demeanor.
The ringlet itself is also described in great detail. It is "fair", "golden", and "soft", and it sparkles in the sunlight "like a star". This description not only highlights the ringlet's beauty but also suggests its significance. The ringlet is not just a piece of hair but a symbol of the woman's identity, femininity, and perhaps even her soul.
Symbolism
The ringlet is not the only symbol in the poem. Tennyson also uses other symbols to convey deeper meanings. For instance, the woods can be seen as a symbol of the unknown, the mysterious, and the dangerous. The woman's decision to walk in the woods alone can be interpreted as a symbol of her desire for adventure, her curiosity, and her defiance of societal norms.
The young man who finds the ringlet can be seen as a symbol of the male desire for possession, control, and power. His decision to keep the ringlet without returning it to the woman can be interpreted as a symbol of his willingness to take what he wants without regard for the feelings or rights of others.
The ringlet itself can be seen as a symbol of femininity, beauty, and vulnerability. Its loss represents the woman's loss of identity, her loss of control, and her loss of innocence. The fact that the young man keeps the ringlet can be seen as a symbol of his desire to possess the woman herself, to have control over her, and to assert his dominance over her.
Allusion
Tennyson also uses allusion to enrich the meaning of the poem. The title of the poem, "The Ringlet", alludes to the idea of a circlet, a symbol of unity, wholeness, and eternity. The fact that the ringlet is broken, torn away from the woman's head, suggests a violation of this unity and a fracture of her identity.
The poem's setting in a dark and wild wood alludes to the archetypal motif of the forest in literature. The woods are often depicted as a place of danger, temptation, and transformation. In "The Ringlet", the woods represent the woman's journey into the unknown, her encounter with a mysterious and powerful force, and her loss of innocence.
Finally, the poem's theme of male possession and female loss alludes to the myth of Rapunzel. In the myth, a young woman with long hair is imprisoned in a tower by a male figure who desires her. The woman's hair becomes a symbol of her captivity and her vulnerability. In "The Ringlet", the woman's hair becomes a symbol of her identity and her femininity, which are threatened by the young man's desire for possession.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Ringlet" is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that deserves to be studied and appreciated for its intricate imagery, subtle symbolism, and allusive richness. Through its portrayal of a young woman who loses a ringlet of hair in the woods, the poem explores themes of identity, femininity, possession, and loss. Its use of vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and allusive references creates a complex and multi-layered work of art that speaks to the human condition in profound and meaningful ways. As a lover of poetry, I am grateful for the opportunity to experience the timeless beauty and profound wisdom of Tennyson's "The Ringlet".
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Ringlet: A Masterpiece of Victorian Poetry
Alfred, Lord Tennyson is one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era. His works are known for their lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and philosophical insights. Among his many poems, "The Ringlet" stands out as a masterpiece of romantic poetry that captures the essence of love, loss, and memory.
"The Ringlet" was first published in 1830 as part of Tennyson's collection of poems titled "Poems, Chiefly Lyrical." The poem is a short but powerful meditation on the transience of beauty and the enduring power of memory. It tells the story of a young woman who loses a ringlet of her hair, which becomes a symbol of her fleeting youth and beauty.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the ringlet, which is compared to a "golden curl" that "floats and falls" in the wind. The ringlet is described as a thing of beauty that captures the attention of all who see it. The speaker of the poem is clearly enamored with the ringlet, and he describes it in loving detail:
"O, the golden ringlet, O, the lovely ringlet, Floating down the stream!"
The ringlet is not just a physical object, but a symbol of the woman's youth and beauty. The speaker is clearly in love with the woman, and he sees the ringlet as a part of her that he can hold onto even after she is gone. He says:
"I will keep thy ringlet, I will wear it next my heart; It shall be my amulet, It shall be my charm."
The speaker's love for the woman is intense and passionate, but it is also tinged with a sense of sadness and loss. He knows that the ringlet is a fleeting thing, and that the woman's beauty will not last forever. He says:
"Ah! the years shall come and go, And the ringlet shall be gray; But the love that loves for evermore Shall never pass away."
The poem is a meditation on the nature of beauty and the passing of time. The ringlet is a symbol of the woman's youth and beauty, but it is also a reminder of the transience of all things. The speaker knows that the ringlet will eventually fade and lose its luster, but he also knows that his love for the woman will endure.
The poem is also a reflection on the power of memory. The speaker knows that the ringlet will eventually be lost or forgotten, but he also knows that he will always remember the woman who wore it. He says:
"And when I am dead and gone, And thy ringlet is uncurl'd, I will leave it to the silent years, And the ages of the world."
The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and memory. The ringlet may be lost or forgotten, but the love that inspired it will never die. The speaker's love for the woman is a timeless thing that transcends the boundaries of time and space.
In conclusion, "The Ringlet" is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that captures the essence of love, loss, and memory. The poem is a meditation on the nature of beauty and the passing of time, and it is a testament to the enduring power of love and memory. Tennyson's lyrical language and vivid imagery make the poem a joy to read, and its themes are as relevant today as they were when it was first published. "The Ringlet" is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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