Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Royal Princess" by Christina Rossetti is a narrative poem that tells the story of a young princess who falls in love with a prince from a neighboring kingdom, but is ultimately forced to marry a king whom she does not love. The poem explores themes of duty, love, and sacrifice, and highlights the plight of women in a patriarchal society.

The poem is written in 10 stanzas, each consisting of 8 lines with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCD. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which makes it easy to understand, but also gives it a melancholic tone.

In the first stanza, the speaker introduces the princess and describes her as "a royal princess, every inch a queen." The second stanza describes the prince from the neighboring kingdom, with whom the princess falls in love. The speaker notes that the prince is "young and fair," and that he and the princess are well-matched in every way.

In the third stanza, the speaker describes the king who eventually becomes the princess's husband. The king is described as being much older than the princess, and the speaker notes that he is not a particularly attractive or pleasant man.

The fourth and fifth stanzas describe the princess's struggle with her feelings for the prince and her duty to marry the king. The speaker notes that the princess's heart is "heavy as lead" and that she weeps "in secret" for the prince she cannot have.

In the sixth stanza, the princess resolves to be a dutiful wife to the king, despite her lack of love for him. The speaker notes that the princess's resolve is admirable, but that it does not make her any less unhappy.

The seventh and eighth stanzas describe the princess's life with the king. The princess is surrounded by luxury and riches, but the speaker notes that she is still unhappy and longs for the love of the prince.

In the ninth stanza, the prince returns to the kingdom, and the princess is overjoyed to see him. However, the prince informs the princess that he is engaged to be married to another woman.

In the final stanza, the speaker notes that the princess continues to live her life as a dutiful wife to the king, but that she remains unhappy and unfulfilled. The speaker notes that the princess's story is a tragic one, but that it is all too common in a world where women are not free to follow their hearts.

Overall, "A Royal Princess" is a poignant and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of love, duty, and sacrifice. The poem's simple and straightforward style makes it accessible to readers of all ages, while its underlying message makes it a powerful commentary on the position of women in society.

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