Becquer’s Rhymes XI and LIII: Analysis
Becquer’s Rhyme XI
Rhyme XI belongs to the first series of Rhymes by G. A. Becquer (1830-1870), a Romantic poet of the nineteenth century. The poem is a fictional dialogue between the poetic voice and three women.
Analysis of Rhyme XI
- The first stanza begins with a “brunette,” “fiery,” and passionate woman (a “symbol of passion”) offering herself to the poet.
- The second stanza presents the antithesis of its predecessor: a female with a “pale face” and “golden tresses.”
- In the third stanza, the ideal woman and “impossible” love are represented (“vain phantom of mist and light”).
Of the three women, the poet prefers the latter. With his choice, Becquer highlights the basic theme of the rhyme and, by extension, of the series to which it belongs: women-love-poetry. Throughout the three stanzas, there are parallelisms and anaphora referring to the three female characters (“I am…”). The treatment of the subject makes this one of the most representative of the first series.
Becquer’s Rhyme LIII
Rhyme LIII deals with the theme of unhappy love, intertwined with nature. The poem addresses a woman who has apparently left the author. He tells her that everything will appear to be the same as when they were together, but it will never truly be the same. He suggests that another man may come to love her, but no one will love her as he did.
Structure of Rhyme LIII
The poem can be divided into three parts, each further separable into two subdivisions:
- Stanzas 1 & 2: The return of the swallows, like their past love (first verse/subdivision), but they will not be the same (second verse/subdivision).
- Stanzas 3 & 4: The honeysuckle will climb the wall again (third verse/subdivision), but these will not be the same as before (fourth stanza/subdivision).
- Stanzas 5 & 6: The woman might feel love again (fifth stanza/subdivision), but no one will love her as he did (sixth stanza/subdivision).
Romantic Characteristics
Following the characteristics of Romanticism, this poem does not use any of the classic stanzas. The rhyme scheme is irregular. The even lines are free. Verses 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, and 20 rhyme together in consonance. Lines 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 also rhyme in consonance, except for line 20, which is in assonance. This is a Romantic poem. It seeks to break the rules that prevent the expression of self, rejecting Enlightenment rationalism. Pessimism and melancholy result from the clash between romantic ideals and reality. Romantics value the authentic, genuine, traditional, and folk aspects of their country, leading to nationalism. Themes cultivated in this period include:
- Nature, reflecting the poet’s mood.
- Passionate love, leading to tragedy.
- Melancholy and unattainable love.
- Sadness and pain.
- Freedom and social justice.
- Flight from the surrounding world, idealizing the past.