Poem Analysis - To Vittoria Colonna

Initial Impression and Tone

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "To Vittoria Colonna" is a poignant elegy that mourns the loss of a beloved individual, Vittoria Colonna. The poem's tone is deeply sorrowful and reflective, shifting from despair to a sense of enduring legacy. Longfellow's use of vivid imagery and emotional language creates a powerful sense of loss and admiration for Colonna's virtues. The poem's form, a sonnet, supports the themes of love, mortality, and enduring legacy through its structured yet passionate expression.

Themes of Love and Loss

The poem explores the theme of love and loss through the speaker's deep affection for Vittoria Colonna. The opening lines, "When the prime mover of my many sighs Heaven took through death from out her earthly place," immediately establish the speaker's profound grief. The phrase "prime mover of my many sighs" suggests a love that has been a constant source of both joy and sorrow. The speaker's use of the word "sighs" conveys a sense of longing and melancholy, emphasizing the depth of their affection. The speaker's lament, "O fate, unheeding my impassioned cries! O hopes fallacious!" underscores the futility of their pleas, highlighting the irrevocable nature of death.

Themes of Mortality and Legacy

The theme of mortality is central to the poem, as the speaker grapples with the finality of death. The lines "Earth holds in its embrace Thy lovely limbs, thy holy thoughts the skies" illustrate the separation of the physical and spiritual realms. The speaker acknowledges that while Colonna's body is confined to the earth, her virtuous legacy lives on in the heavens. The phrase "thy holy thoughts the skies" suggests that her spiritual essence has transcended the mortal world, emphasizing the enduring nature of her legacy. The speaker's reflection on the enduring legacy of Colonna's virtues, "A thousand leaves, since he hath stricken thee down, Speak of thee," underscores the idea that her influence and memory will persist beyond her physical existence.

Symbolism and Imagery

The poem employs rich symbolism and imagery to convey its themes. The "prime mover of my many sighs" serves as a powerful symbol of the speaker's love and longing for Colonna. The phrase "Lethe's waters" refers to the river of forgetfulness in Greek mythology, symbolizing the futility of trying to erase Colonna's virtuous renown. The image of "a thousand leaves" speaking of Colonna suggests the widespread and enduring impact of her legacy. The leaves can be interpreted as metaphors for written works, conversations, or even the natural world itself, all of which bear witness to her virtues. The final lines, "Except through death, a refuge and a crown," suggest that death has paradoxically granted Colonna a higher form of existence and recognition, elevating her to a state of eternal virtue and remembrance.

Conclusion

In "To Vittoria Colonna," Longfellow masterfully weaves themes of love, mortality, and enduring legacy through vivid imagery and emotional language. The poem's exploration of the speaker's deep affection for Colonna, coupled with the acknowledgment of her enduring legacy, offers a profound reflection on the nature of loss and remembrance. The use of symbolism, such as the "prime mover of my many sighs" and "Lethe's waters," enriches the poem's themes and underscores the speaker's longing and admiration. Ultimately, the poem serves as a tribute to Vittoria Colonna's virtues and a meditation on the enduring power of memory and legacy.