Poem Analysis - Under The Balcony

Initial Impressions and Tone

Oscar Wilde's "Under The Balcony" is a lyrical poem that exudes a romantic and somewhat melancholic tone. The poem is structured in a repetitive format, with each stanza invoking different natural elements to aid the speaker's beloved. The mood shifts subtly from urgency and longing to a sense of hopeful anticipation, reflecting the speaker's desire for his love to join him. The use of vivid imagery and personification creates a dreamlike atmosphere, enhancing the poem's emotional depth.

Themes of Love and Longing

The central theme of "Under The Balcony" is love and the intense longing it evokes. The speaker's repeated pleas to the star, moon, ship, bird, and blossom illustrate his desperate desire for his love to find her way to him. The phrase "O beautiful star with the crimson mouth" and "O moon with the brows of gold" personify celestial bodies, making them active participants in the speaker's romantic quest. This personification underscores the speaker's fervent hope that these elements will guide his beloved to him, highlighting the power of love to influence even the natural world.

Nature as a Facilitator of Love

Another prominent theme is the role of nature in facilitating love. The speaker appeals to various natural elements—stars, moon, ship, bird, and blossom—to assist his beloved in reaching him. Each stanza begins with an invocation to a natural element, followed by a request for its aid. For example, the star and moon are asked to light the way, the ship to bring them to a beautiful land, the bird to sing and awaken his love, and the blossom to adorn her. This theme suggests that nature is not just a backdrop but an active participant in the speaker's romantic journey, emphasizing the interconnectedness of love and the natural world.

Recurring Symbols and Imagery

The poem is rich with recurring symbols and vivid imagery that contribute to its romantic and melancholic tone. The star with the "crimson mouth" and the moon with "brows of gold" are striking images that personify celestial bodies, making them almost human-like in their ability to guide and illuminate. The "ship that shakes on the desolate sea" and the "bird with the low, sweet note" add layers of emotion, suggesting both the beauty and the loneliness of the speaker's longing. The "blossom with lips of snow" is a delicate and ephemeral image, symbolizing the fleeting nature of love and beauty. These symbols collectively create a sense of urgency and longing, reinforcing the speaker's desire for his love to join him.

Conclusion

"Under The Balcony" by Oscar Wilde is a poignant exploration of love and longing, where nature plays a crucial role in the speaker's romantic quest. Through vivid imagery and personification, Wilde crafts a dreamlike atmosphere that underscores the intensity of the speaker's emotions. The recurring symbols of stars, moon, ship, bird, and blossom serve as active participants in the speaker's journey, highlighting the interconnectedness of love and the natural world. Ultimately, the poem offers a profound insight into the power of love to influence and transform even the most mundane elements of nature, making it a timeless reflection on the human experience of longing and desire.