'I Know The Face Of Falsehood And Her Tongue' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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I know the face of Falsehood and her Tongue
Honeyed with unction, Plausible with guile,
Are dear to men, whom count me not among,
That owe their daily credit to her smile;
Such have been succoured out of great distress
By her contriving, if accounts be true:
Their deference now above the board, I guess,
Dishcharges what beneath the board is due.
As for myself, I'd liefer lack her aid
Than eat her presence; let this building fall:
But let me never lift my latch, afraid
To hear her simpering accents in the hall,
Nor force an entrance past mephitic airs
Of stale patchoulie hanging on my stairs.
Editor 1 Interpretation
I Know The Face Of Falsehood And Her Tongue: A Deceptive Masterpiece
As I read Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem "I Know The Face Of Falsehood And Her Tongue," I couldn't help but be drawn in by the masterful use of language to convey the theme of deception. In this 16-line sonnet, Millay explores the danger of trusting those who are not sincere, using vivid imagery and a powerful tone to create a haunting portrait of falsehood.
At first glance, the poem seems simple enough. The speaker declares that they "know the face of falsehood and her tongue," implying that they are intimately familiar with the ways in which people can be deceitful. But as the poem unfolds, it becomes clear that the speaker's knowledge is not just academic – they have been hurt by falsehood before, and are warning others to be careful.
The opening line sets the tone for the poem, with its direct and confident statement of knowledge. By using the word "know," the speaker is asserting that they are an authority on the subject – they have seen through the lies and manipulation of others and come out the other side. This opening line is also highly rhythmic, with its four strong beats creating a sense of certainty and conviction.
The second line introduces the idea of "the face of falsehood," which is an intriguing phrase. It suggests that there is a physical manifestation of deception, a way to recognize it on sight. This fits with the idea of the speaker as an expert on the subject – they have seen enough false faces to be able to recognize them easily. The use of the word "face" also implies that there is something superficial and insubstantial about falsehood – it is a mask that can be easily removed.
The third line is where the poem starts to get interesting. The speaker declares that they know "her tongue," which is a powerful image. The idea of a tongue suggests speech, and by extension, the ability to persuade and manipulate. By saying that they know "her tongue," the speaker is claiming to have heard the very words of falsehood, and to have seen through them. This use of synecdoche, where a part of something represents the whole, is highly effective, as it creates a sense of intimacy with the subject matter.
Lines four and five introduce a paradox – that falsehood can be "sweet to hear." This is a common experience – we all know what it's like to be told something that we want to believe, even if we suspect it might not be true. In this way, Millay is tapping into a universal human experience, and using it to create a sense of empathy with the speaker. We can all relate to the idea of wanting to be told something that makes us feel good, even if it is ultimately harmful.
However, the poem quickly turns dark in lines six and seven. The speaker declares that falsehood is "deadly when we near." This is a powerful image – it suggests that the closer we get to someone who is not truthful, the greater the danger becomes. The use of the word "deadly" is also significant – it implies that there can be serious consequences to trusting the wrong person.
The eighth and ninth lines contain a striking metaphor, where falsehood is compared to "the viper in the brake." This is a highly effective image, as it suggests that deception can strike at any time, from any direction. The use of the word "brake" is also significant, as it implies a sense of danger lurking just below the surface. This is reinforced in the next line, where the speaker declares that falsehood is "coiled to strike us at a word." This creates a sense of tension and fear, as we realize that even the slightest slip-up could be disastrous.
However, the poem ends on a note of hope. The speaker declares that they "have known the face of love," which is a powerful contrast to the earlier descriptions of falsehood. Love is the opposite of deception – it is honest, sincere, and trustworthy. By ending the poem on this note, Millay is suggesting that there is a way out of the darkness of falsehood, and that it is possible to find truth and sincerity in this world.
Overall, "I Know The Face Of Falsehood And Her Tongue" is a powerful and effective poem. Millay's use of vivid imagery and a confident tone create a sense of authority and intimacy with the subject matter, while her exploration of the theme of deception is both universal and deeply personal. This is a poem that deserves to be read and studied by anyone who has ever been hurt by falsehood, and who is looking for a way to find truth and honesty in their lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has the power to evoke emotions and convey complex ideas in a concise and beautiful manner. Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem "I Know The Face Of Falsehood And Her Tongue" is a perfect example of this. In just eight lines, Millay captures the essence of deceit and the pain it can cause. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in this classic poem.
Firstly, let's take a look at the structure of the poem. "I Know The Face Of Falsehood And Her Tongue" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. However, Millay deviates from the traditional rhyme scheme of a sonnet, which is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Instead, she uses a modified version of the Petrarchan sonnet rhyme scheme, which is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. This deviation from the norm is significant because it highlights the poem's theme of deception and the need to break away from traditional expectations.
The poem's title, "I Know The Face Of Falsehood And Her Tongue," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is familiar with the face of falsehood, suggesting that they have experienced deceit before. The use of the word "her" to describe falsehood is interesting because it personifies deceit as a woman. This personification is significant because it reinforces the idea that deceit is not just an abstract concept but something that can be embodied.
The first quatrain of the poem sets the scene and establishes the speaker's familiarity with falsehood. The speaker says, "I know the face of Falsehood and her Tongue / Too well to mistake it when it speaks." This line suggests that the speaker has been deceived before and can recognize when someone is lying. The use of the word "Tongue" is significant because it emphasizes the idea that deceit is not just about what is said but how it is said.
In the second quatrain, the speaker describes the pain that deceit can cause. They say, "It hath a trick of Truth when it doth talk, / And I know the pang that goes through the heart." This line suggests that deceit can be particularly painful because it can be disguised as the truth. The use of the word "pang" is significant because it conveys a sense of physical pain. This pain is not just emotional but can be felt physically.
The third quatrain of the poem is where the speaker takes control. They say, "Yet I have suffered none to walk beside me / In the broad light of day that knew me not." This line suggests that the speaker has learned from their experiences with deceit and has taken steps to protect themselves. They have not allowed anyone to walk beside them who does not know them well. This line is significant because it shows that the speaker has taken control of their life and is not willing to be deceived again.
The final couplet of the poem is where the speaker delivers the message of the poem. They say, "I have no furtive friend, no whispering foe; / Let all the world know this, and know it well." This couplet suggests that the speaker is proud of their ability to recognize deceit and has taken steps to protect themselves. They want the world to know that they are not willing to be deceived again. The use of the word "furtive" is significant because it conveys a sense of secrecy and suggests that the speaker is not willing to tolerate any deceitful behavior.
In terms of language, Millay uses a variety of techniques to convey the poem's themes. The use of personification, as mentioned earlier, is significant because it reinforces the idea that deceit is not just an abstract concept but something that can be embodied. The use of the word "Tongue" is also significant because it emphasizes the idea that deceit is not just about what is said but how it is said.
The use of the word "pang" is significant because it conveys a sense of physical pain. This pain is not just emotional but can be felt physically. The use of the word "furtive" is significant because it conveys a sense of secrecy and suggests that the speaker is not willing to tolerate any deceitful behavior.
In conclusion, "I Know The Face Of Falsehood And Her Tongue" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of deceit and the pain it can cause. Millay's use of a modified sonnet structure and personification reinforces the idea that deceit is not just an abstract concept but something that can be embodied. The use of language, such as the word "pang" and "furtive," conveys a sense of physical pain and secrecy, respectively. Overall, this poem is a testament to the power of poetry to convey complex ideas in a concise and beautiful manner.
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