Poem Analysis for Christina Rossetti’s De Profundis
Themes:
Universe, questioning, earthly existence, desire/desperation, doubt
Summary:
It translates to a ‘heartfelt cry of appeal, from the depths. The persona questions why
heaven is so far away, with a heavy use of astronomical terms, and ultimately
concludes that heaven is merely “hope”. Modernist writer Virginia Woolf has said:
“But if I were calling a case against God, she is one of the first witnesses I shall call”
- questioning Rossetti's religious beliefs.
Structure:
Four stanzas of equal length perhaps portraying the restrictions of an earthly
existence, with a shortened last line, all 4 syllables.
RHYME/ RHYTHM:
Again, a spondee on the opening two syllables, emphasising the mournful
questioning in “Oh why”. Alternate end rhymes to portray a sense of incompletion.
There is also heavy use of feminine rhyme- “bands” and “hands” (double rhyme) the
“ba” and “ha” rhymes and so does “nds” - softens the pace.
Imagery:
Astronomical imagery- “star”, “moon”, “sun”. Heaven also transitions from something
concrete as it is “built", yet transitions to something that is only “hope” (alternatively
there may be something positive in the end line being hope). There are also
restrictions placed on earthly beings (sin of man) as they are “bound with fleshly
bands”. The poem is full of restriction: “remote”, “cannot reach”, “beyond”, “bound”-
plosive b sounds too. There is an ultimate image of self-denial as the persona
“strains her heart”- rejecting all earthly love, yet there is a sadness as she merely
“catch[es] at hope”- never quite reaching what she so desires.
Themes:
Universe, questioning, earthly existence, desire/desperation, doubt
Summary:
It translates to a ‘heartfelt cry of appeal, from the depths. The persona questions why
heaven is so far away, with a heavy use of astronomical terms, and ultimately
concludes that heaven is merely “hope”. Modernist writer Virginia Woolf has said:
“But if I were calling a case against God, she is one of the first witnesses I shall call”
- questioning Rossetti's religious beliefs.
Structure:
Four stanzas of equal length perhaps portraying the restrictions of an earthly
existence, with a shortened last line, all 4 syllables.
RHYME/ RHYTHM:
Again, a spondee on the opening two syllables, emphasising the mournful
questioning in “Oh why”. Alternate end rhymes to portray a sense of incompletion.
There is also heavy use of feminine rhyme- “bands” and “hands” (double rhyme) the
“ba” and “ha” rhymes and so does “nds” - softens the pace.
Imagery:
Astronomical imagery- “star”, “moon”, “sun”. Heaven also transitions from something
concrete as it is “built", yet transitions to something that is only “hope” (alternatively
there may be something positive in the end line being hope). There are also
restrictions placed on earthly beings (sin of man) as they are “bound with fleshly
bands”. The poem is full of restriction: “remote”, “cannot reach”, “beyond”, “bound”-
plosive b sounds too. There is an ultimate image of self-denial as the persona
“strains her heart”- rejecting all earthly love, yet there is a sadness as she merely
“catch[es] at hope”- never quite reaching what she so desires.
