Poem Analysis - On Nature Of Love

A Journey Through the Unknown

Rabindranath Tagore's "on nature of love" is a poem that explores the elusive and somewhat arbitrary nature of love. The poem opens with a sense of disorientation and uncertainty, setting a tone of mystery and anticipation. It progresses to a feeling of hopeful expectation, tinged with vulnerability, before culminating in a moment of fervent declaration. The overall mood is one of searching, punctuated by flashes of intense, almost desperate, affection.

The Forest of Uncertainty: Love as a Chance Encounter

One of the central themes of the poem is the idea of love as a chance encounter in a vast and unknowable world. The opening lines, "The night is black and the forest has no end; / A million people thread it in a million ways," immediately establish a sense of overwhelming scale and confusion. This "forest" can be interpreted as the journey of life, where countless individuals are pursuing their own paths. The idea that "we have trysts to keep in the darkness, but where / or with whom – of that we are unaware" emphasizes the unpredictable nature of love. It suggests that love is not something that can be planned or controlled, but rather something that we stumble upon in the darkness of existence.

Faith in the Face of the Unknown: The Promise of Bliss

Despite the uncertainty, the poem also conveys a strong sense of faith and optimism. The lines, "But we have this faith – that a lifetime’s bliss / will appear any minute, with a smile upon its lips," reveal a deep-seated belief in the possibility of finding love. This belief is not based on reason or evidence, but rather on a fundamental human desire for connection and happiness. The image of "a lifetime's bliss" appearing "with a smile upon its lips" is a powerful and evocative one, suggesting that love is not just a feeling, but a complete and fulfilling state of being.

The Lightning Flash of Recognition: Love at First Sight?

The poem's most striking image is the "flash of lightning" that triggers the act of falling in love. This image suggests that love is often sudden and unexpected, a moment of intense recognition that cuts through the darkness. The lines, "whomever I see that instant I fall in love with," are both compelling and somewhat unsettling. They imply that love is not necessarily based on deep knowledge or understanding, but rather on a fleeting impression. This raises questions about the nature of love and whether it can truly be based on such a superficial encounter. Is it genuine connection, or simply projection and wishful thinking?

The Ephemeral Nature of Connection: A Final Reflection

Ultimately, "on nature of love" is a poem that explores the complexities and contradictions of love in a world filled with uncertainty. It highlights the human desire for connection, the role of chance in finding love, and the power of faith in the face of the unknown. The poem's final lines, where the speaker dismisses those who "came close and moved off / in the darkness," suggest that love is often a matter of selective perception and perhaps even a denial of other possibilities. The poem's significance lies in its honest and unflinching examination of the often irrational and unpredictable nature of this fundamental human experience, leaving the reader to ponder the true essence of love and its place in our lives.