'An Apprehension' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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If all the gentlest-hearted friends I know
Concentred in one heart their gentleness,
That still grew gentler till its pulse was less
For life than pity,--I should yet be slow
To bring my own heart nakedly below
The palm of such a friend, that he should press
Motive, condition, means, appliances,
My false ideal joy and fickle woe,
Out full to light and knowledge; I should fear
Some plait between the brows, some rougher chime
In the free voice. O angels, let your flood
Of bitter scorn dash on me ! do ye hear
What I say who hear calmly all the time
This everlasting face to face with GOD ?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, An Apprehension by Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A Masterpiece of Romanticism
As a literary masterpiece of the Romantic era, Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Poetry, An Apprehension" is a stunning exploration of the power of the written word. Through her use of vivid imagery, striking metaphors, and eloquent language, Browning creates a powerful and emotive piece that captures the essence of the Romantic movement.
The Theme of Poetry
At the heart of "Poetry, An Apprehension" is the theme of poetry itself. Browning explores the nature of poetry, the role it plays in our lives, and the power it holds over us. Through her use of vivid imagery and metaphor, she creates a sense of the awe-inspiring power of poetry, while also highlighting the danger that it can pose.
In the opening lines of the poem, Browning describes poetry as a "shadowy outline" that "drops like a plummet / sheer down the infinite" (lines 1-2). Here, she sets the tone for the rest of the poem, creating a sense of mystery and otherworldliness. As the poem progresses, Browning explores the many different aspects of poetry, from its ability to inspire us to its potential to deceive us.
The Power of Poetry
One of the key themes that runs throughout "Poetry, An Apprehension" is the power of poetry. Browning explores the many different ways in which poetry can affect us, from its ability to inspire us to its potential to deceive us.
In the second stanza of the poem, Browning describes poetry as a "mighty melody" that "swells full of the notes of all things" (lines 5-6). Here, she creates a sense of the all-encompassing power of poetry, suggesting that it can capture the essence of the world around us.
Later in the poem, Browning explores the idea that poetry can be deceptive. She writes that poetry can "smile without joy, and enhance / The poison of hate, and the treachery of love" (lines 21-22). Here, she suggests that poetry can be used to mask darker emotions and manipulate our feelings.
The Language of the Poem
Throughout "Poetry, An Apprehension," Browning uses a range of different literary techniques to create a powerful and emotive piece of writing. One of the key techniques that she uses is metaphor. Through her use of metaphor, Browning is able to create vivid and striking images that capture the essence of her ideas.
For example, in the first stanza of the poem, Browning describes poetry as a "shadowy outline" that "drops like a plummet / sheer down the infinite" (lines 1-2). Here, she uses the metaphor of a plummet to create a sense of the all-encompassing power of poetry.
Browning also uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality within the poem. For example, in the second stanza, she writes that poetry is a "mighty melody" that "swells full of the notes of all things" (lines 5-6). The repetition of the "m" sound creates a sense of musicality, capturing the essence of the poem's theme.
The Romantic Movement
As a literary masterpiece of the Romantic era, "Poetry, An Apprehension" is a stunning example of the key themes and ideas of the movement. Browning explores the power of nature, the importance of the individual, and the emotive power of the written word.
Through her use of vivid imagery, striking metaphors, and eloquent language, Browning creates a powerful and emotive piece that captures the essence of the Romantic movement. Her exploration of the all-encompassing power of poetry, combined with her emphasis on the importance of personal experience and emotion, make this poem a quintessential work of Romanticism.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, "Poetry, An Apprehension" is a stunning exploration of the power of the written word. Through her use of vivid imagery, striking metaphors, and eloquent language, Elizabeth Barrett Browning creates a powerful and emotive piece that captures the essence of the Romantic movement.
From its exploration of the all-encompassing power of poetry to its emphasis on personal experience and emotion, this poem is a quintessential work of Romanticism. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply appreciate great literature, "Poetry, An Apprehension" is a must-read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It is a way to convey emotions, thoughts, and feelings in a way that is both beautiful and profound. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, was a master of this art. Her poem "An Apprehension" is a perfect example of her skill in capturing the essence of human emotions and experiences.
The poem is a sonnet, a form of poetry that consists of fourteen lines. It is divided into two quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a sestet (six-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of a Petrarchan sonnet. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing her fear of losing her beloved. She says, "I thought once how Theocritus had sung/ Of the sweet years, the dear and wished-for years,/ Who each one in a gracious hand appears/ To bear a gift for mortals, old or young." Theocritus was a Greek poet who wrote about the joys of love and nature. The speaker is referring to his poem "Idylls," which celebrates the beauty of life and the happiness that comes with it. However, the speaker's thoughts are interrupted by a feeling of apprehension, a sense of impending doom.
The second quatrain begins with the speaker describing her fear in more detail. She says, "And as I mused it in his antique tongue,/ I saw, in gradual vision through my tears,/ The sweet, sad years, the melancholy years,/ A shadow across me." The speaker is imagining the future without her beloved, and it fills her with sadness. She sees the years stretching out before her, empty and bleak, like a shadow that has fallen across her life.
The sestet is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker realizes that her fear is unfounded, that it is just a product of her imagination. She says, "All the while/ Listening, I heard as if a sentinel/ Who paced from window to window, sentinel/ Alert for any sound." The speaker is comparing herself to a sentinel, a guard who is always on the lookout for danger. She is listening for any sound that might indicate that her fear is justified. However, she hears nothing, and she realizes that her fear is baseless.
The poem ends with the speaker acknowledging that her fear was just a passing emotion. She says, "But even as I listened, the dread/ At my heart was lessened, and made less dread,/ And all the gloom uplifted from my brow." The speaker's fear has dissipated, and she feels relieved. The gloom that had been weighing her down has lifted, and she is once again able to see the beauty of life.
The poem is a beautiful meditation on the nature of fear and how it can affect our perception of the world. The speaker's fear is not based on any real threat, but rather on her own imagination. She is able to overcome it by realizing that it is unfounded and that there is no reason to be afraid. The poem is also a celebration of the power of poetry to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a master of this art, and "An Apprehension" is a perfect example of her skill.
In conclusion, "An Apprehension" is a beautiful and profound poem that captures the essence of human emotions and experiences. It is a meditation on the nature of fear and how it can affect our perception of the world. The poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to capture the beauty and complexity of life. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a master of this art, and her legacy continues to inspire and move us today.
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