'The Merman' by Alfred Lord Tennyson
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IWho would be
A merman bold,
Sitting alone
Singing alone
Under the sea,
With a crown of gold,
On a throne?III would be a merman bold,
I would sit and sing the whole of the day;
I would fill the sea-halls with a voice of power;
But at night I would roam abroad and play
With the mermaids in and out of the rocks,
Dressing their hair with the white sea-flower;
And holding them back by their flowing locks
I would kiss them often under the sea,
And kiss them again till they kiss'd meLaughingly, laughingly;
And then we would wander away, away,
To the pale-green sea-groves straight and high,Chasing each other merrily.IIIThere would be neither moon nor star;
But the wave would make music above us afar --
Low thunder and light in the magic night --Neither moon nor star.
We would call aloud in the dreamy dells,
Call to each other and whoop and cryAll night, merrily, merrily.
They would pelt me with starry spangles and shells,
Laughing and clapping their hands between,All night, merrily, merrily,
But I would throw to them back in mine
Turkis and agate and almondine;
Then leaping out upon them unseen
I would kiss them often under the sea,
And kiss them again till they kiss'd meLaughingly, laughingly.
O, what a happy life where mine
Under the hollow-hung ocean green!
Soft are the moss-beds under the sea;
We would live merrily, merrily.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Merman by Alfred Lord Tennyson: A Deep Dive into the Depths of Human Emotion
As I dive into the depths of Alfred Lord Tennyson's The Merman, I find myself pulled in by the powerful currents of emotion that flow through the poem. Here is a work that speaks of love, loss, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems cold and unfeeling. With its rich imagery and haunting melody, The Merman is a classic of English literature that still resonates with readers today.
An Overview of the Poem
At its core, The Merman is a love story that explores the depths of human emotion. The poem begins with the speaker describing a beautiful seaside scene, with waves crashing against the shore and gulls crying out overhead. The speaker then introduces us to a young woman named Margaret, who sits by the sea and listens to the mermaids singing.
Margaret is captivated by the mermaids' song and longs to join them in their underwater world. Eventually, she meets a merman named Sir Lancelot, who falls in love with her and offers to take her away to his underwater kingdom. Margaret is torn between her love for Sir Lancelot and her loyalty to her human family and friends. In the end, she chooses to stay on land and marry a human man, leaving Sir Lancelot heartbroken and alone.
Themes and Motifs
Love and loss are the central themes of The Merman, and Tennyson explores these themes through a variety of motifs and symbols. The sea, for example, is a recurring motif that represents both the beauty and the danger of love. The waves that crash against the shore are a symbol of the tumultuous emotions that love can bring, while the calm, still waters of the underwater kingdom represent the peace and tranquility of a love that is pure and true.
The mermaids themselves are also important symbols in the poem. They represent the allure of the unknown and the unattainable, as well as the power of music and art to move the soul. Margaret's desire to join the mermaids is a metaphor for our own longing for something more, something beyond the mundane and everyday.
A Close Reading of the Poem
One of the things that strikes me most about The Merman is Tennyson's use of language and imagery to create a sense of longing and desire. The poem is filled with beautiful descriptions of the sea and the mermaids, as well as vivid portrayals of Margaret's inner turmoil and emotional struggles.
For example, in the opening stanza, Tennyson writes:
"I would go with the sailormen to the depths of the sea, I would sing with the mermaids and swim with the fishes, And I would be free."
These lines are so evocative that I can almost feel the salt spray on my face and hear the mermaids' haunting song. Tennyson's use of repetition and alliteration creates a sense of rhythm and melody that draws the reader in and makes us feel as though we are part of the poem itself.
Another powerful moment in the poem comes when Sir Lancelot offers to take Margaret away to his underwater kingdom. Tennyson writes:
"Come down, O maid, into the wave, We may dwell in the deeps below; World's of waves and winds we'll brave; Soon, O maiden, may we go."
These lines are so beautiful and romantic that it's hard not to be swept away by their emotion. The repetition of the "O" sound creates a sense of longing and supplication, while the alliteration of "world's of waves and winds" evokes the danger and excitement of the unknown.
Interpretation and Analysis
So what does all of this mean? What is Tennyson trying to say with The Merman?
At its core, I believe that The Merman is a meditation on the nature of love and the human condition. Margaret's journey represents our own struggles to find meaning and purpose in a world that often seems chaotic and meaningless. Her love for Sir Lancelot represents our own desire for something more, something beyond the mundane and everyday. Her decision to stay on land and marry a human man represents the compromises we make in order to fit into society and lead "normal" lives.
But what about Sir Lancelot? What does his fate say about the nature of love and human emotion?
I believe that Sir Lancelot represents the part of us that longs for something more, something beyond what society tells us we should want. His love for Margaret is pure and true, but it is ultimately unattainable, just as our own desires and dreams may be unattainable. Sir Lancelot's fate is a reminder that sometimes we must let go of our deepest desires and learn to find happiness in the world as it is, not as we would like it to be.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Merman is a powerful poem that explores the depths of human emotion and the nature of love. Through its vivid imagery, haunting melody, and rich symbolism, Tennyson creates a work that still resonates with readers today. Whether we are Margaret, Sir Lancelot, or simply observers of their story, we cannot help but be moved by the beauty and tragedy of this classic work of English literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Merman: A Classic Poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Alfred Lord Tennyson is one of the most celebrated poets in English literature, and his works continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of his most famous poems is "The Merman," a hauntingly beautiful piece that explores the themes of love, loss, and the mysteries of the sea.
The poem tells the story of a merman who falls in love with a human woman. He longs to be with her, but knows that their worlds are too different for them to ever truly be together. The merman's love for the woman is so strong that he is willing to give up his life in the sea to be with her on land.
The poem begins with the merman describing his life in the sea. He talks about the beauty and mystery of the ocean, and how he and his fellow merfolk live in harmony with the creatures of the sea. He then goes on to describe how he first saw the human woman who would capture his heart.
"She cometh unto me,
But not for the love of me.
The sea is calm, and clear, and blue,
And I have brought her here to you."
The merman is drawn to the woman's beauty and grace, and he longs to be with her. However, he knows that their worlds are too different for them to ever truly be together. He describes how he has tried to forget her, but his love for her is too strong.
"I have tried the utmost depth
Of the ocean-depths, and then
In my despair I came to thee,
And wept and prayed to thee, O Earth,
And in thy laps I sobbed and laughed,
And in thy breath I spread my wings,
Unknowing what I sought or feared,
Resolv'd and irresolv'd at once."
The merman's love for the woman is so strong that he is willing to give up his life in the sea to be with her on land. He describes how he would be willing to live as a mortal man, and how he would do anything to be with her.
"I would be a mortal man,
And seek the things I sought before,
And I would be a merman fair,
And swim the depths of the ocean blue,
And I would be a bird of air,
And fly the skies with you."
The poem ends with the merman lamenting his fate, and how he will never truly be able to be with the woman he loves. He describes how he will return to the sea, and how he will always remember her.
"Farewell, farewell, but this I tell
To thee, thou Wedding-Guest!
He prayeth well, who loveth well
Both man and bird and beast.
He prayeth best, who loveth best
All things both great and small;
For the dear God who loveth us,
He made and loveth all."
In conclusion, "The Merman" is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the mysteries of the sea. Tennyson's use of language and imagery is masterful, and he creates a vivid and evocative portrait of the merman and his world. The poem is a testament to the power of love, and how it can transcend even the greatest of barriers. It is a classic piece of literature that continues to inspire and move readers to this day.
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