Sudden Light By Dante Gabriel Rossetti Dante Gabriel

Sudden Light By Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Dante Gabriel Rossetti

I have been here before, But when or how I cannot tell: I know the grass beyond the door, The sweet keen smell, The sighing sound, the lights. around the shore

You have been mine before, -How long ago I may not know: But just when at that swallow's soar Your neck turn'd so, Some veil did fall, --I knew it all of yore.

Has this been thus before? And shall not thus time's eddying flight Still with our lives our love restore In death's despite, And day and night. YIELD one delight once more?

These lines are taken from Dante Gabriel Rossetti “Sudden Light”. It was in Victorian era. Dante in know as painter and poet.

There are many Victorian glimpses through out the whole poem. First, there is a sense of nostalgia , for instance, "I have been here before , / But when or how I can not tell: . "(1 -2). Second, there is a use of realism , for instance, "I know the grass beyond the door, / The sweet keen smell, / The sighing sound , the lights around the shore. "(3 -5). Third, there is a deep sense of disappointment and sadness, for instance, "And shall not thus time's eddying flight. "(12).

There are many stylistic devices in the poem. First, there is visual imagery, for instance, "I know the grass beyond the door, "(3). Second, there is alliteration, for instance, " I have been here before, "(1). Third, there is a metaphor, for instance, “ And shall not thus time's eddying flight"(12).

There is three quotes in this poem. First quote , " I have been here before, /But when or how I cannot tell: /I know the grass beyond the door, /The sweet keen smell, /The sighing sound, the lights around the shore. " (1 -5). Second quote , "You have been mine before, /How long ago I may not know: /But just when at that swallow's soar/Your neck turn'd so, /Some veil did fall, I knew it all of yore. " (6 -10). Third quote, "I have been here before, /But when or how I cannot tell: /I know the grass beyond the door, /The sweet keen smell, /The sighing sound, the lights around the shore. /You have been mine before, /How long ago I may not know: /But just when at that swallow's soar/Your neck turn'd so, /Some veil did fall, I knew it all of yore. /Has this been thus before? /And shall not thus time's eddying flight/Still with our lives our love restore/In death's despite, /And day and night yield one delight once more? " (1 -15).

Personally, I think It’s a great poem. The poet writing style is attractive. I find it quite amazing that so much expression can be articulated in so little space. In the concluding, the open ending rise many questions for me as a reader.