Poem Analysis - To

Yearning and Unrequited Love: An Introduction

John Keats's "To" is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the speaker's feelings of inadequacy in the face of his affection. The poem unfolds as a lament, steeped in longing and a sense of powerlessness. The tone is initially regretful and self-deprecating, dwelling on what the speaker lacks, but it transitions to a more assertive and almost fantastical desire to possess the object of his affection. This shift marks a move from passive yearning to a more active, albeit desperate, pursuit of love.

The Weight of Inadequacy: A Core Theme

A central theme of the poem is the speaker's acute awareness of his own perceived inadequacy. This is established immediately in the opening lines: "Had I a man's fair form...". He contrasts himself with idealized figures: a knight and a happy shepherd, both of whom possess qualities he feels he lacks – strength, bravery, and effortless charm. The lines "But ah! I am no knight whose foeman dies; No cuirass glistens on my bosom's swell; I am no happy shepherd of the dell Whose lips have trembled with a maiden's eyes," highlight his powerlessness and lack of traditional masculine virtues, reinforcing his feeling that he is unworthy of the beloved's attention.

The Language of Sensory Desire: Another Theme

Another prominent theme is the intense sensory desire the speaker expresses. He uses vivid imagery, particularly involving taste and scent, to convey the overwhelming nature of his passion. The object of his affection is described as "Sweeter by far than Hybla's honied roses When steeped in dew rich to intoxication." This simile not only emphasizes her sweetness but also suggests a potent, intoxicating effect she has on him. The speaker's declaration, "Ah! I will taste that dew, for me 'tis meet," underscores his longing to experience the fullness of this love, even if through unconventional means. The emphasis on the senses transforms the abstract idea of love into a tangible, almost palpable, yearning.

Romantic Idealization and a Touch of the Dark Arts

The poem is rich in romantic imagery and symbolism. The "ivory shell" of the beloved's ear suggests both beauty and perhaps a delicate remoteness. The "Hybla's honied roses" symbolize sweetness and beauty, typical of romantic poetry. However, the poem takes an unexpected turn when the speaker declares, "I'll gather some by spells, and incantation." This introduces an element of the supernatural, suggesting a willingness to resort to almost desperate measures to achieve his desire. This shift from conventional romance to a hint of dark magic can be interpreted in several ways. Perhaps it reveals the depth of his desperation or serves as a metaphor for the unconventional means by which love can sometimes be pursued.

A Final Reflection: Desire and Desperation

In conclusion, "To" is a powerful exploration of unrequited love, fueled by a sense of inadequacy and expressed through vivid sensory imagery. The poem moves from a lament about the speaker's perceived shortcomings to a passionate, almost obsessive, desire for the object of his affection. The final image of gathering dew "by spells, and incantation" leaves the reader with a lingering sense of the lengths to which the speaker is willing to go to attain the unattainable, highlighting the consuming and potentially destructive nature of unfulfilled desire. The poem leaves us pondering: Is the pursuit of love, even through unconventional means, a testament to the strength of the human heart, or a descent into desperation?