'Perplexed Music' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED TO E. J.
Experience, like a pale musician, holds
A dulcimer of patience in his hand,
Whence harmonies, we cannot understand,
Of God; will in his worlds, the strain unfolds
In sad-perplexed minors: deathly colds
Fall on us while we hear, and countermand
Our sanguine heart back from the fancyland
With nightingales in visionary wolds.
We murmur ' Where is any certain tune
Or measured music in such notes as these ? '
But angels, leaning from the golden seat,
Are not so minded their fine ear hath won
The issue of completed cadences,
And, smiling down the stars, they whisper--
SWEET.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Perplexed Music: A Masterpiece by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
When it comes to Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poetry, it is hard not to be perplexed by the depth of her emotions and the intricacy of her language. And yet, it is precisely this perplexity that makes her poetry so compelling and timeless. One of her most famous works, Poetry, Perplexed Music, is a prime example of this. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the themes, language, and style of this poem to uncover its true meaning and significance.
Themes
At its core, Poetry, Perplexed Music is a poem about the power of poetry and its ability to express the inexpressible. Browning begins the poem by describing poetry as "perplexed music," a term that immediately raises questions about what exactly she means by it. Is she suggesting that poetry is like music in that it is complex and difficult to understand? Or is she saying that poetry is like music in that it is filled with emotions that are difficult to put into words?
As the poem progresses, however, it becomes clear that Browning is exploring the latter idea. She describes poetry as a "soul's own speech," suggesting that it is the language of the heart and the mind, the expression of the deepest and most profound emotions. She goes on to say that poetry can express "the unexpressed," the emotions and experiences that are beyond words.
But Browning also acknowledges that poetry can be difficult to understand. She describes it as "perplexed," suggesting that it can be confusing and complicated. She even hints at the idea that poetry can sometimes be misleading, saying that it can "lead astray." This raises important questions about the role of the poet and the responsibility they have to their readers. Is it the poet's job to make their poetry easily understandable, or is it their job to challenge their readers and make them think?
Language
One of the most striking things about Poetry, Perplexed Music is the language that Browning uses. Her language is rich and complex, filled with metaphors and imagery that add depth and meaning to the poem. For example, she describes poetry as a "soul's own speech," a metaphor that captures the idea that poetry is a deeply personal and emotional form of expression.
Browning also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. She repeats the phrase "perplexed music" throughout the poem, reinforcing the idea that poetry is like music in its complexity and emotional depth. She also repeats the phrase "lead astray," creating a sense of tension and uncertainty as to whether poetry is a reliable guide to the truth.
But perhaps the most powerful aspect of Browning's language is the way she uses it to express the inexplicable. She describes poetry as being able to "speak the unspoken," to "tell the heart's own reasons," and to "make the invisible visible." These phrases capture the idea that poetry has the power to express the inexpressible, to put into words emotions and experiences that are difficult, if not impossible, to describe.
Style
Browning's style in Poetry, Perplexed Music is both complex and accessible. She uses a traditional rhyme scheme (ABAB) and meter (iambic tetrameter) that give the poem a sense of structure and rhythm. At the same time, she uses a variety of poetic devices, such as metaphors, repetition, and imagery, to add depth and complexity to the poem.
One of the most interesting aspects of Browning's style is the way she uses punctuation. She frequently uses dashes and parentheses to interrupt the flow of the poem and to create a sense of hesitation or uncertainty. For example, she writes:
Poetry! the name is mightier
Than thy music, than thy singing,
But — unfathomably deeper —
Are thy waves of speech, that bringing
Words from out the gloomiest cavern,
In the heart's despair or gladness,
Force the man to be a maiden,
Matching his with her own sadness.
The dashes and parentheses create pauses in the poem that draw attention to certain phrases and ideas. They also create a sense of uncertainty, as if Browning is questioning her own words and ideas.
Interpretation
So what is the true meaning of Poetry, Perplexed Music? At its heart, this poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to express the inexpressible. Browning sees poetry as a deeply personal and emotional form of expression, one that can capture the deepest and most profound emotions and experiences. But she also acknowledges that poetry can be perplexing and difficult to understand, and that it can even lead us astray. This raises important questions about the role of the poet and the responsibility they have to their readers.
Ultimately, however, Browning's message is a positive one. She sees poetry as a way to bridge the gap between the visible and the invisible, the spoken and the unspoken. She sees it as a way to connect with the deepest parts of ourselves and to express the emotions and experiences that are often difficult, if not impossible, to put into words.
Conclusion
Poetry, Perplexed Music is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of what it means to be a poet. Browning's language is rich and complex, filled with metaphors and imagery that add depth and meaning to the poem. Her style is both structured and accessible, using traditional forms and meters to create a sense of rhythm and musicality.
But perhaps the most important aspect of this poem is its message. Browning sees poetry as a way to express the inexpressible, to connect with the deepest parts of ourselves, and to bridge the gap between the visible and the invisible. In a world where communication is often superficial and shallow, Browning's poetry reminds us of the power of language to express the unexpressed and to touch the deepest parts of our souls.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry and music have always been intertwined, with poets often using musical devices such as rhythm, rhyme, and repetition to enhance the emotional impact of their words. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Poetry Perplexed Music" is a prime example of this relationship between poetry and music, as she explores the power of music to evoke emotions and convey meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing her confusion about the relationship between poetry and music. She wonders why music can move her so deeply, while poetry often leaves her cold. She asks, "Why do I sigh when I hear sweet music, / And feel no breath when I read sweet verse?" This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker seeks to understand the power of music and its relationship to poetry.
The first stanza of the poem is particularly striking, as it describes the physical and emotional effects of music on the body. The speaker describes how music "thrills through my heart, and my pulses / Beat quick to the measure of song." This vivid imagery captures the visceral impact of music, as it moves beyond the realm of the intellect and into the realm of the body. The speaker goes on to describe how music can evoke a range of emotions, from joy to sorrow, and how it can transport the listener to another world.
In contrast, the second stanza describes the limitations of poetry in evoking these same emotions. The speaker notes that while poetry can be beautiful and well-crafted, it often fails to move her in the same way that music does. She asks, "Why does the verse that is sweetest / Seem oftenest to leave me unmoved?" This question is at the heart of the poem, as the speaker seeks to understand why music has such a powerful emotional impact, while poetry often falls short.
The third stanza of the poem offers a possible explanation for this disparity between music and poetry. The speaker suggests that music has a unique ability to convey meaning through sound alone, without the need for words. She notes that "Music can tell of joy and sorrow, / And speak without uttering a word." This observation highlights the power of music to communicate on a purely emotional level, bypassing the need for language or rational thought.
In contrast, the fourth stanza describes the limitations of language in conveying emotion. The speaker notes that words can be beautiful and well-crafted, but they often fail to capture the full range of human experience. She asks, "Why do the words that are sweetest / Seem oftenest to leave half untold?" This question highlights the limitations of language in expressing the full depth and complexity of human emotion.
The final stanza of the poem offers a resolution to the speaker's initial confusion about the relationship between poetry and music. The speaker suggests that poetry and music are not in competition with each other, but rather complement each other in their ability to convey meaning and evoke emotion. She notes that "Poetry and music are sisters, / And both are the children of love." This observation highlights the shared roots of poetry and music in the human experience of love and emotion.
Overall, "Poetry Perplexed Music" is a powerful exploration of the relationship between poetry and music, and the unique ability of each to convey meaning and evoke emotion. The poem highlights the limitations of language in expressing the full range of human experience, while also celebrating the power of music to communicate on a purely emotional level. Through its vivid imagery and lyrical language, the poem captures the essence of the human experience of love and emotion, and the ways in which poetry and music can help us to understand and express these complex feelings.
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