'Substitution' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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When some beloved voice that was to you
Both sound and sweetness, faileth suddenly,
And silence, against which you dare not cry,
Aches round you like a strong disease and new--
What hope ? what help ? what music will undo
That silence to your sense ? Not friendship's sigh,
Not reason's subtle count; not melody
Of viols, nor of pipes that Faunus blew;
Not songs of poets, nor of nightingales
Whose hearts leap upward through the cypress-trees
To the clear moon; nor yet the spheric laws
Self-chanted, nor the angels' sweet ' All hails,'
Met in the smile of God: nay, none of these.
Speak THOU, availing Christ !--and fill this pause.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Beauty and Complexity of Substitution by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Poetry has the power to transport us to a different time and place, to open our hearts and minds to new perspectives, and to inspire us to see the world in a new light. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poem Substitution is a perfect example of how poetry can capture the beauty and complexity of human emotions and experiences. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and historical context of Substitution, and we will appreciate the genius of one of the greatest poets of the Victorian era.
Theme and Structure
At its core, Substitution is a love poem that explores the depth and complexity of romantic love. The poem is structured in two parts, with the first part describing the speaker's love for her lover and the second part exploring the idea of substitution, or what would happen if the lover were to be replaced by someone else. The poem is written in a lyrical and expressive style, with vivid imagery and metaphors that bring the emotions to life.
The first part of the poem describes the speaker's love for her lover in glowing terms. She speaks of her lover's beauty, grace, and kindness, and she compares him to a star that shines in the darkness. The language is poetic and romantic, with phrases like "thy perfect sweetness," "thy voice's gentle tone," and "thy smile's soft curve." The speaker's love for her lover is all-encompassing, and she sees him as the center of her world.
In the second part of the poem, the speaker explores the idea of substitution, or what would happen if her lover were to be replaced by someone else. She imagines different scenarios, such as if her lover were to die or if she were to meet someone else who was equally kind and beautiful. The language in this part of the poem is more somber and reflective, with phrases like "the world would wane like winter," "the earth would shake," and "my heart would break." The speaker's love for her lover is so strong that the thought of losing him or replacing him is unbearable.
Historical Context
To fully appreciate the beauty and complexity of Substitution, it's important to understand the historical context in which it was written. Elizabeth Barrett Browning lived during the Victorian era, a time of great social and cultural change in England. The Victorian era was marked by a strict moral code, with an emphasis on respectability, propriety, and family values. Women were expected to be virtuous, submissive, and focused on domestic duties, while men were expected to be breadwinners and heads of households.
Against this backdrop of social and cultural norms, Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a trailblazer. She was a highly educated and independent woman who challenged traditional gender roles and pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable for women in Victorian society. She was also a passionate writer who used her poetry to explore the complexities of human emotions and experiences, including love, loss, and social injustice.
Substitution can be seen as a reflection of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's own experiences of love and loss. She was a deeply passionate woman who fell in love with Robert Browning, a fellow poet, and they went on to have one of the great love affairs of the Victorian era. However, their relationship was initially opposed by Elizabeth's father, who disapproved of Robert Browning's lack of social status and income. Elizabeth and Robert had to elope to Italy in order to be together, and their marriage was a source of great happiness and inspiration for both of them.
Literary Devices
One of the things that makes Substitution such a powerful and memorable poem is the use of literary devices. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a master of poetic technique, and she uses a variety of devices to convey the emotions and themes of the poem.
One of the most striking devices used in Substitution is metaphor. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses metaphors to compare her lover to various natural phenomena, such as a star, a rose, and a bird. These metaphors serve to heighten the romantic and emotional aspects of the poem, and they also help to create a vivid and memorable image of the speaker's lover in the reader's mind.
Another important device used in Substitution is repetition. The phrase "I love thee" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the depth and intensity of the speaker's love for her lover. The repetition of this phrase also serves to unify the poem, creating a sense of coherence and continuity.
Finally, the use of imagery in Substitution is particularly powerful. The speaker uses vivid and evocative imagery to create a sensory experience for the reader, allowing us to feel the emotions of the poem on a visceral level. For example, the image of the world "waning like winter" creates a sense of coldness and desolation, while the image of the heart "breaking" conveys a sense of physical pain and emotional devastation.
Interpretation
So what does Substitution mean, and why is it such a powerful and enduring poem? At its core, Substitution is a poem about the power of love and the fear of loss. The speaker's love for her lover is so strong that the thought of losing him or replacing him is unbearable. She imagines a world without him, and she realizes that life would lose its meaning and beauty.
At the same time, Substitution can be seen as a commentary on the nature of love itself. Love is a complex and multifaceted emotion, and it can be both beautiful and painful. The speaker's love for her lover is not without its challenges and difficulties, and she recognizes that love can be fleeting and fragile.
Ultimately, Substitution is a poem about the human experience, and it speaks to our deepest fears and desires. We all want to love and be loved, and we all fear the pain of loss and separation. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poem captures these universal themes in a way that is both beautiful and profound, and it continues to speak to us today, more than 150 years after it was written.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Substitution is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that explores the themes of love, loss, and the human experience. Through its use of metaphor, repetition, and imagery, the poem captures the beauty and complexity of romantic love, while also commenting on the fragility and challenges of this emotion. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poem continues to inspire and move readers today, and it serves as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture and convey the deepest emotions and experiences of the human heart.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Substitution: A Masterpiece by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Elizabeth Barrett Browning, one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian era, is known for her exceptional works that have left an indelible mark on the world of literature. Among her many works, Poetry Substitution stands out as a masterpiece that showcases her exceptional talent and creativity.
Poetry Substitution is a sonnet that was first published in 1844 in Barrett Browning's collection, simply titled "Poems." The poem is a beautiful expression of the power of poetry and how it can transform our lives. In this article, we will delve deeper into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
Themes
The central theme of Poetry Substitution is the transformative power of poetry. The poem explores how poetry can change our lives and how it can help us to see the world in a new light. Barrett Browning argues that poetry can help us to transcend our everyday lives and connect with something greater than ourselves.
The poem also touches on the theme of love. Barrett Browning uses the metaphor of love to describe the relationship between the poet and the reader. She suggests that poetry is a form of love that can bring people together and help them to connect on a deeper level.
Structure
Poetry Substitution is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables.
The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is a variation of the Petrarchan sonnet form. The first eight lines of the poem (the octave) present an argument or a problem, while the final six lines (the sestet) offer a resolution or a conclusion.
Literary Devices
Barrett Browning employs several literary devices in Poetry Substitution to convey her message and create a vivid image in the reader's mind. One of the most prominent devices is metaphor. The poet uses the metaphor of love to describe the relationship between the poet and the reader. She suggests that poetry is a form of love that can bring people together and help them to connect on a deeper level.
Another literary device that Barrett Browning uses is personification. She personifies poetry, describing it as a "voice" that can "speak" to us and "sing" to our hearts. This personification helps to create a sense of intimacy between the reader and the poem.
The poet also uses imagery to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. She describes poetry as a "light" that can "shine" in the darkness and a "star" that can guide us through the night. This imagery helps to reinforce the idea that poetry can help us to see the world in a new light.
Analysis
Let us now take a closer look at the poem and analyze it line by line.
"True poets, but are not you therefore true, / Because your voice sounds low and musical / Around the earth, and in the air at night, / As if the dead sought speech in you to do?"
In these lines, Barrett Browning is addressing the poets directly. She is suggesting that their voices are "low and musical" and that they have the power to speak to the dead. The use of the word "true" suggests that the poets are authentic and genuine in their expression.
"Is it a blame to have the highest sense / Of silence, and to let the flesh be still / From all self-seeking, and divinely pass / Into the trance of thought?"
Here, the poet is suggesting that there is nothing wrong with being silent and still. She argues that this is a way to connect with something greater than ourselves and to enter into a state of deep thought.
"Ye shall not be despised for stillness' sake. / True poets, they are not so, who have brought down / The strength of suns to make a crown, or struck / The stars for a diadem."
In these lines, Barrett Browning is suggesting that true poets do not need to rely on grand gestures or flashy language to make an impact. She argues that the power of poetry lies in its ability to connect with the reader on a deeper level.
"Behold ye not the beauty everywhere / Of starry heavens and flowers beneath our feet, / And, in the midst, the singing soul of man / Serving and worshipping these?"
Here, the poet is suggesting that there is beauty all around us, and that poetry can help us to appreciate it. She argues that the soul of man is connected to the natural world and that poetry can help us to see this connection.
"True poets, ye are prophets of the Highest, / Speaking by vision, straight from God's own heart, / All truth, love, beauty, ye are the divinest / Of God's creations, in the act and part."
In these final lines, Barrett Browning is elevating the status of the poets. She suggests that they are "prophets of the Highest" and that they speak "straight from God's own heart." She argues that poetry is a divine creation and that the poets are the highest expression of this creation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Poetry Substitution is a beautiful expression of the transformative power of poetry. Barrett Browning argues that poetry can help us to transcend our everyday lives and connect with something greater than ourselves. She suggests that poetry is a form of love that can bring people together and help them to connect on a deeper level. The poem is structured as a sonnet and employs several literary devices, including metaphor, personification, and imagery. Overall, Poetry Substitution is a masterpiece that showcases Barrett Browning's exceptional talent and creativity.
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