In "To Celia", the poetic speaker is trying to get his lady with his love, and to share his feelings. It is clear that she does not love the speaker because she immediatley returns the wreath token of love spoken of in stanza, she does not keep it. She does not love him. The theme of the poem, is unrequited love. The poem, with an inclusive "And" beginning the second and fourth lines, is an attempt to win the lady his heart. There is no indication in the poem of its effectness, but we can tell the plays the speaker uses to try to win the ladys love. Poetic extravagance was a play used to express love and to win love. The two conjunctions, "and" and "but" play a pivotal part in sorting out the ideas the poet represents in compressed poetic form. The setting is not givenh so may be one of a few scenarios, they may be at a public gathering where face to face communication may be difficult. Then they may be some place where face to face communication is very possible, he may be standing near her speaking. He is looking for a sign from her eyes to encourage him to plight, or pledge, his love and truth to her. He is suggesting that she drink to his love with her eyes, make a toast to his love for her eyes. Then he will pledge with a promise his undying love for her. He sent her a wreath of roses as a token of his love. The wreath was to also honor her beauty. Since the roses cant compare to her beauty, he promised the roses would be die in her care. She received a wreath but did not accept it. She kept the wreath long enough for her breath to fall on it and sent it back. That is a sign of rejection. He claims that since the roses have returned to him, they live and grow under sweet influence of her life giving breath.
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May 2015
AuthorsFocused, determined, and a whole lot sassy: Mrs. Costisick's AP Literature students want you to delve into the ostentatious world of poetry with them as they augment their own understanding of some of the most famous writings known to us. No Dr. Seuss here. Categories |