'The Woodspurge' by Dante Gabriel Rossetti

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The wind flapp'd loose, the wind was still,
Shaken out dead from tree and hill:
I had walk'd on at the wind's will,--
I sat now, for the wind was still.

Between my knees my forehead was,--
My lips, drawn in, said not Alas!
My hair was over in the grass,
My naked ears heard the day pass.

My eyes, wide open, had the run
Of some ten weeds to fix upon;
Among those few, out of the sun,
The woodspurge flower'd, three cups in one.

From perfect grief there need not be
Wisdom or even memory:
One thing then learnt remains to me,--
The woodspurge has a cup of three.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Woodspurge: A Deep Dive into Rossetti's Classic Poem

If you're a lover of poetry, you've probably come across Dante Gabriel Rossetti's classic poem, "The Woodspurge." This masterpiece of the Victorian era is a powerful and haunting work that has captivated readers for generations. In this essay, we'll delve into the meaning, symbolism, and literary devices used in "The Woodspurge" to better understand why it has stood the test of time.

Historical Context

Before we get into the poem itself, let's take a quick look at the historical context in which it was written. Rossetti was a member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of artists and writers who rejected the conventional art of their time and sought to create works that harked back to the simplicity and sincerity of the early Renaissance. The Pre-Raphaelites were also known for their fascination with nature and their use of vivid and symbolic imagery.

"The Woodspurge" was written in 1856, during a period of great turmoil in Rossetti's personal life. He was struggling with depression and mourning the loss of his wife, Elizabeth Siddal, who had died from an overdose of laudanum. It's not surprising, then, that "The Woodspurge" is a deeply introspective and melancholy work.

Interpretation

Now, let's take a closer look at the poem itself. Here's the full text:

The wind flapped loose, the wind was still,
Shaken out dead from tree and hill:
I had walked on at the wind's will,--
I sat now, for the wind was still.

Between my knees my forehead was,--
My lips, drawn in, said not Alas!
My hair was over in the grass,
My naked ears heard the day pass.

My eyes, wide open, had the run
Of some ten weeds to fix upon;
Among those few, out of the sun,
The woodspurge flowered, three cups in one.

From perfect grief there need not be
Wisdom or even memory:
One thing then learnt remains to me,--
The woodspurge has a cup of three.

The first thing that strikes the reader about "The Woodspurge" is its stark simplicity. The poem consists of just twelve lines, with a simple ABABCDCD rhyme scheme. However, this simplicity belies the complexity of the emotions and ideas contained within.

The poem opens with a description of the wind, which "flapped loose" and "was still." The speaker is sitting in the stillness, having "walked on at the wind's will." This sense of being buffeted by external forces and then coming to a stop is a metaphor for the speaker's emotional state.

The second stanza describes the speaker's physical position - on their knees, with their forehead between them, and their hair in the grass. The speaker's lips are drawn in, and they do not say "Alas!" This is an interesting choice of word, as "alas" is a traditional expression of sorrow or regret - the speaker is so consumed by their emotions that they cannot even bring themselves to utter it.

The third stanza is where the poem's central image comes into play. The speaker's "eyes, wide open, had the run / Of some ten weeds to fix upon." Among these few weeds is the woodspurge - a flower with "three cups in one." The woodspurge is a symbol of hope in the midst of despair, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty and meaning to be found in the world.

The final stanza is perhaps the most enigmatic. The speaker states that "from perfect grief there need not be / Wisdom or even memory." This could be interpreted in a number of ways - perhaps the speaker is suggesting that grief is a state of being beyond rational thought, or that it is an emotional response that requires no explanation or justification. The final line, "The woodspurge has a cup of three," is a repetition of the earlier line and serves to emphasize the importance of this image in the poem.

Symbolism

"The Woodspurge" is a poem packed full of symbolism, much of which is open to interpretation. Here are a few of the key symbols at play:

• The wind: A symbol of the external forces that can buffet us in life, often beyond our control.

• The speaker's position: Kneeling with their forehead on their knees is a position of humility and surrender. The fact that the speaker's hair is in the grass also suggests a connection to nature and the earth.

• The woodspurge: This flower is a symbol of hope and beauty in the midst of despair. The fact that it has "three cups in one" could be interpreted as a reference to the Holy Trinity, or as a symbol of the interconnectedness of all things.

• The number three: This recurring motif is significant in Christian symbolism, representing the Holy Trinity. It is also a powerful number in many other cultures and belief systems.

Literary Devices

Rossetti employs a number of literary devices in "The Woodspurge" to create meaning and resonance. Here are a few examples:

• Repetition: The repeated line "The woodspurge has a cup of three" serves to reinforce the central image of the poem and give it added weight and importance.

• Imagery: Rossetti's use of vivid and evocative imagery helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. The wind "flapping loose" and the woodspurge "flowered, three cups in one" are particularly striking examples.

• Rhyme: The poem's ABABCDCD rhyme scheme is simple but effective, helping to create a sense of unity and cohesion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Woodspurge" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores themes of grief, hope, and the beauty of nature. Rossetti's use of symbolism and literary devices helps to create a sense of depth and resonance, while the poem's simplicity and directness make it accessible to readers of all levels. Whether you're a seasoned poetry lover or a newcomer to the genre, "The Woodspurge" is a work that is sure to captivate and move you.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Woodspurge: A Masterpiece of Victorian Poetry

Dante Gabriel Rossetti, one of the most prominent figures of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, is known for his exquisite paintings, but he was also a talented poet. His poem, The Woodspurge, is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that captures the essence of melancholy and despair. In this article, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of The Woodspurge, and analyze its significance in the context of Victorian literature.

The Woodspurge is a short poem consisting of only four stanzas, each with three lines. The poem's structure is simple, but its language is rich and evocative. The poem's title refers to a wildflower that grows in the woods, and the poem's speaker is observing this flower as he experiences a moment of intense emotional pain. The poem's themes include grief, loss, and the transience of life.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker says, "The wind flapped loose, the wind was still, / Shaken out dead from tree and hill: / I had walked on at the wind's will." The wind is a metaphor for the speaker's emotions, which are in turmoil. The wind is both "flapped loose" and "still," suggesting that the speaker's emotions are both agitated and stagnant. The phrase "shaken out dead from tree and hill" suggests that the speaker is surrounded by death and decay, which adds to the poem's overall sense of melancholy.

In the second stanza, the speaker describes the woodspurge: "The leaves lay thick upon the way / And showered as we passed them by; / And we went on, nor wished to stay." The woodspurge is a symbol of the transience of life. The leaves that cover the ground are a reminder that everything eventually dies and decays. The speaker and his companion "went on, nor wished to stay," suggesting that they are both trying to escape their pain by moving forward.

The third stanza is the emotional heart of the poem. The speaker says, "The air broke into a mist with bells, / The old walls rocked with the mist unseen, / Moved deeply, with a jarring sound." The bells are a metaphor for the speaker's emotions, which are so intense that they are causing the air to break into a mist. The "old walls" that "rocked with the mist unseen" suggest that the speaker is in a place of historical significance, perhaps a church or a graveyard. The "jarring sound" suggests that the speaker's emotions are causing a disturbance in the natural order of things.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close. The speaker says, "The woodspurge has a cup of three / Heaped petals it is filled with dew / Above the rusty leaves." The woodspurge is once again a symbol of the transience of life. The "cup of three / Heaped petals" represents the brevity of life, and the "dew" represents the tears shed for those who have passed on. The "rusty leaves" are a reminder that everything eventually decays and dies.

The language of The Woodspurge is rich and evocative. Rossetti uses metaphors and symbols to convey the speaker's emotions and the themes of the poem. The wind, the woodspurge, and the bells are all used to represent the speaker's emotions, which are in turmoil. The leaves, the dew, and the rusty leaves are all used to represent the transience of life and the inevitability of death.

In the context of Victorian literature, The Woodspurge is significant because it captures the essence of the Victorian era's obsession with death and mourning. The Victorians were fascinated with death and often used it as a theme in their literature. The Woodspurge is a perfect example of this fascination. The poem's themes of grief, loss, and the transience of life are all common themes in Victorian literature.

In conclusion, The Woodspurge is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that captures the essence of melancholy and despair. Rossetti's use of metaphors and symbols to convey the speaker's emotions and the themes of the poem is masterful. The poem's simple structure and rich language make it a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.

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