Rossetti poems quotes

Question 1

A Birthday

Answer 1

1857
- My heart is like a singing bird
- Because my love is come to me
- description of her heart as like a ‘peacock with a hundred eyes’ = luxurious

Question 2

Echo

Answer 2

1854
- come to me in the silence of the night
- O dream how sweet, too sweet, too bitter sweet
- Yet come to me in dreams

Question 3

From the Antique

Answer 3

Composed 1854, though published posthumously
- It’s a weary life, it is, she said; doubly blank is a woman’s lot
- None would miss me in all the world
- I should be nothing

Question 4

Goblin Market

Answer 4

1859
- come buy, come buy … taste them and try
- do you not remember Jeanie — who should have been a bride
- Lizzie with an open heart
- cat-like and rat-like + grunting and snarling … hissing
- squeezed and caressed her
- tore her gown … squeezed their fruits against her mouth to make her eat
- with children of their own

Question 5

Good Friday

Answer 5

1862
- Am I a stone? = Niobe greek mythology
- not so the theif was moved
- true shepard of the flock … smite a rock

Question 6

In the Round Tower at Jhansi

Answer 6

1859
- gained and gained and gained = criticism of British Empire
- closed the pistol to her brow
- good-bye — good-bye

Question 7

Maude Clare

Answer 7

Late 1857 to early 1858
- his bride was like a village maid Maude Clare was like a queen
- I have brought my gift … golden chain
- I’ll love him till he loves me best

Question 8

No, Thank You, John

Answer 8

1862 —> John Brett 1858
- I never said I loved you John
- mad + tease vs. use your common sense
- meg or moll would take pity upon you
- I’d rather answer ‘no’ to fifty Johns, than answer ‘yes’ to you
- I’ll wink at your untruth

Question 9

Remember + When I am dead my dearest

Answer 9

R: 1849
- Remember me when I am gone away

WIADMD: 1848 = aged 18
- sing no sad songs for me
- dreaming through the twilight

Question 10

Shut Out

Answer 10

1856 –> Collinson engagement ends 1850 + religious crisis 1857
originally titled ‘what happened to me’
- iron bars
- the door was shut
- it had been mine, and it was lost
- my delightful land is gone

Question 11

Soeur Louise de la Misericorde
(NO DATE)

Answer 11

• Oh vanities of vanities, desire!
• diskindeled fire
• stunting my hope which might have strained up higher = queen

Question 12

Twice

Answer 12

1864
- O my love, O my love
- O my God, O my God
- My broken heart in my hand

Question 13

Uphill

Answer 13

1858 –> religious crisis 1857
- Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
- Those who have gone before
- Will there be beds for all who seek? = BIBLICAL REFERENCE: ‘my father’s house has plenty of room’ = God accepts all

Question 14

Winter: my secret

Answer 14

1857
- I tell my secret? No indeed
- My secret’s mine
- you may guess