Tell as a Marksman – Were Forgotten
Tell as a Marksman – Were Forgotten - meaning Summary
Defiance Answered by Faith
This poem retells the legend of William Tell in compressed, plain images. It stresses Tell’s moral courage confronting ducal tyranny, the coercive spectacle of his son made a target, and the father’s impossible choice. Dickinson emphasizes faith and providential response: Tell’s arrow is sent, and a divine reply follows. The poem frames the episode as a perennial tale of resistance, love, and reliance on higher justice.
Read Complete AnalysesTell as a Marksman – were forgotten Tell – this Day endures Ruddy as that coeval Apple The Tradition bears – Fresh as Mankind that humble story Though a statelier Tale Grown in the Repetition hoary Scarcely would prevail – Tell had a son – The ones that knew it Need not linger here – Those who did not to Human Nature Will subscribe a Tear – Tell would not bare his Head In Presence Of the Ducal Hat – Threatened for that with Death – by Gessler – Tyranny bethought Make of his only Boy a Target That surpasses Death – Stolid to Love’s supreme entreaty Not forsook of Faith – Mercy of the Almighty begging – Tell his Arrow sent – God it is said replies in Person When the cry is meant –
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