'St . Agnes' Eve' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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Deep on the convent-roof the snows
Are sparkling to the moon:
My breath to heaven like vapour goes;
May my soul follow soon!
The shadows of the convent-towers
Slant down the snowy sward,
Still creeping with the creeping hours
That lead me to my Lord:
Make Thou my spirit pure and clear
As are the frosty skies,
Or this first snowdrop of the year
That in my bosom lies.
As these white robes are soil'd and dark,
To yonder shining ground;
As this pale taper's earthly spark,
To yonder argent round;
So shows my soul before the Lamb,
My spirit before Thee;
So in mine earthly house I am,
To that I hope to be.
Break up the heavens, O Lord! and far,
Thro' all yon starlight keen,
Draw me, thy bride, a glittering star,
In raiment white and clean.
He lifts me to the golden doors;
The flashes come and go;
All heaven bursts her starry floors,
And strows her lights below,
And deepens on and up! the gates
Roll back, and far within
For me the Heavenly Bridegroom waits,
To make me pure of sin.
The sabbaths of Eternity,
One sabbath deep and wide--
A light upon the shining sea--
The Bridegroom with his bride!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Enchanting St. Agnes' Eve: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's Poem
Introduction
Have you ever heard of St. Agnes' Eve? The night when maidens perform rituals to see their future husbands in their dreams? If not, let me introduce you to Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem, "St. Agnes' Eve." This poem captures the enchanting atmosphere of this night and explores themes of love, desire, and faith. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem and uncover its meanings and symbols. Are you ready to join me on this journey?
Background
Before we jump into the analysis, let's first understand the context of the poem. "St. Agnes' Eve" is based on a legend that St. Agnes was a virgin martyr who was killed during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian. According to the legend, St. Agnes refused to marry the son of a Roman prefect as she had dedicated her life to God. On the night of her execution, she prayed and received a vision of a handsome youth who was her spiritual bridegroom. Thus, St. Agnes became the patron saint of virgins and young girls. Her feast day is celebrated on January 21, and it is believed that if unmarried girls perform certain rituals on St. Agnes' Eve, they will see their future husbands in their dreams.
Tennyson was fascinated by this legend, and he wrote "St. Agnes' Eve" in 1837. The poem was published in 1842 as part of his collection, "Poems." Tennyson was a prominent Victorian poet who was known for his romantic and lyrical style. He was the Poet Laureate of England from 1850 until his death in 1892.
Analysis
Let's start our analysis of "St. Agnes' Eve" with the structure of the poem. The poem consists of 42 stanzas, each with nine lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABBCBCC, and the meter is iambic pentameter. The use of uniform stanzas and rhyme scheme creates a sense of order and harmony, which contrasts with the chaotic and sensual atmosphere of the poem.
The poem starts with a description of a medieval castle on St. Agnes' Eve. The castle is filled with revelers who are celebrating the feast day. The atmosphere is sensual and erotic, with images of "Madeline" undressing and preparing for the ritual. The poem then shifts to the character of Porphyro, who is a young man in love with Madeline. Porphyro sneaks into the castle to see Madeline and uses the ritual to seduce her. The poem ends with the couple escaping from the castle and riding into the night.
One of the main themes of "St. Agnes' Eve" is love, particularly the idea of love as a transcendent force that can overcome societal norms and expectations. Porphyro and Madeline's love is forbidden, as they come from different classes and are not supposed to be together. However, their love is so strong that it transcends these barriers. Porphyro is willing to risk his life to see Madeline, and Madeline is willing to leave her family and social status behind to be with Porphyro. Their love is also depicted as pure and innocent, with images of "snowy stole of purest white" and "diamonds glittering fair" creating a sense of purity and innocence.
Another theme of the poem is desire, particularly the idea of desire as a forbidden and dangerous force. The ritual that Madeline performs is seen as a way to fulfill her desire for a husband, but it is also portrayed as a dangerous and forbidden act. The atmosphere of the poem is filled with images of temptation and seduction, with lines like "her throat in vain, / And twined her faery braids with roses red" creating a sense of sensuality and desire. Porphyro's presence in the castle further heightens this sense of danger and forbidden desire.
Faith is also a theme in the poem, particularly the idea of faith as a transformative force. Madeline's faith in the ritual is what motivates her to perform it, and it is through this ritual that she is transformed from a young girl to a woman. The poem also depicts faith as a force that can bring people together, with Porphyro and Madeline's shared faith in the ritual bringing them together.
The poem also contains several symbols that add to its meaning. The castle represents the societal norms and expectations that Porphyro and Madeline are trying to overcome. The ritual represents the idea of transformation and desire, and the stained glass window represents the idealized image of love and faith that Madeline is seeking. The use of colors, particularly white and red, creates a sense of purity and desire, while the use of natural images like roses and snow adds to the poem's sensory and sensual atmosphere.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "St. Agnes' Eve" is a mesmerizing and enchanting poem that captures the sensual and sensual atmosphere of the night. The poem explores themes of love, desire, and faith, and uses symbols and imagery to add to its meaning. Through the character of Porphyro and Madeline, Tennyson portrays love as a transcendent force that can overcome societal norms and expectations. The poem also depicts desire as a forbidden and dangerous force, and faith as a transformative and unifying force. The poem's structure, with its uniform stanzas and rhyme scheme, creates a sense of order and harmony that contrasts with the chaotic and sensual atmosphere of the poem. Overall, "St. Agnes' Eve" is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that continues to enchant and captivate readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry St. Agnes' Eve: An Enchanting Tale of Love and Faith
Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "St. Agnes' Eve" is a classic poem that tells the story of a young woman named Madeline who seeks the blessings of St. Agnes on the eve of her wedding day. The poem is a beautiful blend of romance, mysticism, and faith, and it has captivated readers for generations.
The poem is set on a cold winter night, and the opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem:
"Deep on the convent-roof the snows Are sparkling to the moon: My breath to heaven like vapour goes; May my soul follow soon!"
The imagery of the snow-covered convent roof and the moonlit sky creates a mystical atmosphere that sets the stage for the rest of the poem. The speaker's breath rising to heaven like vapor is a metaphor for her soul's desire to be united with God.
The poem then introduces us to Madeline, a young woman who is about to be married to a man she does not love. Madeline is deeply in love with Porphyro, a young man who is not of her social class. Porphyro is determined to win Madeline's heart, and he devises a plan to meet her on the eve of St. Agnes' Day, a night when it is believed that young women can see their future husbands in their dreams.
Porphyro sneaks into the castle where Madeline lives, and he hides in her bedroom. Madeline falls asleep, and Porphyro watches over her as she dreams. The scene is described in vivid detail:
"Stol'n to this paradise, and so entranced, Porphyro gazed upon her empty dress, And listen'd to her breathing, if it chanced To wake into a slumberous tenderness; Which when he heard, that minute did he bless, And breathed himself: then from the closet crept, Noiseless as fear in a wide wilderness, And over the hush'd carpet, silent, stept, And 'tween the curtains peep'd, where, lo!—how fast she slept."
The description of Porphyro's movements is almost like a dance, and the use of words like "paradise" and "slumberous tenderness" create a sense of enchantment and magic. The scene is also highly sensual, with Porphyro admiring Madeline's beauty and breathing in her presence.
As the night wears on, Madeline wakes up and sees Porphyro. At first, she is frightened, but Porphyro reassures her and tells her of his love for her. Madeline is torn between her love for Porphyro and her duty to marry the man her family has chosen for her. The poem explores the themes of love, duty, and faith, and it raises questions about the nature of true love and the role of fate in our lives.
The climax of the poem comes when Madeline and Porphyro decide to elope. They escape from the castle and ride off into the night, with the snow falling around them. The scene is described in beautiful detail:
"They glide, like phantoms, into the wide hall; Like phantoms, to the iron porch, they glide; Where lay the Porter, in uneasy sprawl, With a huge empty flagon by his side: The wakeful bloodhound rose, and shook his hide, But his sagacious eye an inmate owns: By one, and one, the bolts full easy slide: The chains lie silent on the footworn stones; The key turns, and the door upon its hinges groans."
The use of words like "phantoms" and "sagacious eye" create a sense of otherworldliness, and the description of the bloodhound adds to the tension of the scene. The use of sound imagery, with the chains and the door groaning, adds to the sense of drama and excitement.
The poem ends with Madeline and Porphyro riding off into the night, with the snow falling around them. The final lines of the poem are:
"They glide, like ghosts, along the dimly-lit And solemn chapel aisle: Dim, taper'd lights are flickering everywhere, Pealing the bells of death, a knell, And hollow sounds of footsteps fall Around the darkened stair."
The use of words like "ghosts" and "solemn chapel aisle" create a sense of foreboding, and the description of the bells of death and the hollow sounds of footsteps add to the sense of unease. The poem ends on a note of uncertainty, leaving the reader to wonder what will happen to Madeline and Porphyro.
In conclusion, Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "St. Agnes' Eve" is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of love, duty, and faith. The poem is a masterful blend of romance, mysticism, and drama, and it has captivated readers for generations. The use of vivid imagery, sensual language, and sound imagery create a sense of enchantment and magic, and the poem raises important questions about the nature of true love and the role of fate in our lives. "St. Agnes' Eve" is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and delight readers today.
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