The analysis of Christina Rossetti’s skilful construction, timeless content, and sophisticated use of language in her poetry provides insight into why her poems are both engaging and highly valued.
Rossetti’s works are highly acclaimed by many modern critics as innovative for her time, due to her commentary on Victorian society and her lyrical gift. She explores many thematic concerns that maintain relevancy in present-day society, including the corrupting influences of the world; the inconstancy of romantic love; and the exploitation and objectification of women by men.
By analysing the construction, content and language of Rossetti’s poetry, it unveils why she continues to be highly regarded by critics today and deepens one’s understanding of textual integrity.
A greater understanding of textual integrity is gained through the analysis of the construction, content and language of Rossetti’s poetry. Many of her poems …show more content…
Maude Clare is another ballad by Rossetti that successfully presents a tale of unrequited love from a female perspective. Similarly, to ‘Light Love’, the male speaker is unfaithful to his lover and marries another woman. Maude disrupts Thomas and Nell’s wedding day with a “gift” for each person, designed to taunt their relationship which she views with contempt. To Thomas, Maude gives back her “half of the golden chain” and “faded leaves,” both symbolic relics of their past intimacy together which has since withered and ended. Thomas’ nervousness is accentuated in the use of caesurae in his dialogue whilst trying to “match [Maude’s] scorn with scorn,” highlighting his inability to respond to her. This is further evident in his final mention in ‘Maude Clare’ where he “hid[es] his face,” most likely in guilt and humiliation for raising Maude’s hopes of marriage before marrying Nell and ruining Maude’s future
Rossetti’s works are highly acclaimed by many modern critics as innovative for her time, due to her commentary on Victorian society and her lyrical gift. She explores many thematic concerns that maintain relevancy in present-day society, including the corrupting influences of the world; the inconstancy of romantic love; and the exploitation and objectification of women by men.
By analysing the construction, content and language of Rossetti’s poetry, it unveils why she continues to be highly regarded by critics today and deepens one’s understanding of textual integrity.
A greater understanding of textual integrity is gained through the analysis of the construction, content and language of Rossetti’s poetry. Many of her poems …show more content…
Maude Clare is another ballad by Rossetti that successfully presents a tale of unrequited love from a female perspective. Similarly, to ‘Light Love’, the male speaker is unfaithful to his lover and marries another woman. Maude disrupts Thomas and Nell’s wedding day with a “gift” for each person, designed to taunt their relationship which she views with contempt. To Thomas, Maude gives back her “half of the golden chain” and “faded leaves,” both symbolic relics of their past intimacy together which has since withered and ended. Thomas’ nervousness is accentuated in the use of caesurae in his dialogue whilst trying to “match [Maude’s] scorn with scorn,” highlighting his inability to respond to her. This is further evident in his final mention in ‘Maude Clare’ where he “hid[es] his face,” most likely in guilt and humiliation for raising Maude’s hopes of marriage before marrying Nell and ruining Maude’s future