Poem Analysis - To Rhea

Initial Impression and Tone

Ralph Waldo Emerson's "To Rhea" is a reflective and philosophical poem that explores the complexities of love and the divine. The tone is initially soothing and contemplative, as the speaker addresses a friend with wisdom and advice. However, the mood shifts to one of melancholy and resignation as the poem delves into the pain of unrequited love and the inevitable disillusionment that follows. The poem's form, with its rhythmic and often rhyming lines, supports the meditative and instructive nature of the speaker's words.

Themes of Love and Divine Intervention

The primary theme of the poem is the nature of love, particularly unrequited love. The speaker advises the friend to hide her grief, suggesting that love, once departed, can turn the beloved into a vixen in the eyes of the lover. This theme is developed through the imagery of the poplar tree and murmuring waters, which counsel the speaker on the transient and often painful nature of love. The speaker uses the metaphor of bandages of purple light to describe the illusions of love, which are torn off by the false-hearted lover, leaving the beloved in a state of despair.

Another significant theme is the role of divine intervention in human affairs. The speaker compares the experience of unrequited love to the actions of the gods, who, when beguiled by a mortal, bestow all their blessings upon the beloved. This theme is developed through the imagery of the god's gifts, which include riches, stars, and heavenly doubts. The god's actions are described as a monument to the All-Good, All-Fair, suggesting that even in the face of scorn, the divine seeks to create beauty and goodness in the world. The speaker's advice to the friend is to follow the example of the gods, who, after giving all, are freed from their thrall.

Symbolism of the Gods and Divine Love

The gods in the poem serve as powerful symbols of divine love and its consequences. The speaker describes the gods as wise and knowing, aware that their love will never be requited. This symbolism highlights the idea that divine love is selfless and seeks only to bless and adorn the beloved, regardless of whether the love is returned. The god's actions are described as a study and delight, suggesting that the divine finds joy in the act of giving, even in the face of rejection. The god's gifts, which include music, thoughts, and heavenly doubts, symbolize the ways in which divine love can enrich and transform the beloved.

The imagery of the god's monument to the All-Good, All-Fair is particularly striking. This monument symbolizes the enduring legacy of divine love, which seeks to create beauty and goodness in the world, even in the face of scorn. The god's words to the universe, Hearken, Earth! Sea! Air!, suggest a call to witness and participate in the divine act of creation. The god's final words, See to thyself, O universe! Thou art better and not worse., emphasize the idea that the divine seeks to improve and ennoble the world through its actions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "To Rhea" is a profound meditation on the nature of love and the role of divine intervention in human affairs. Through its vivid imagery and philosophical reflections, the poem explores the pain of unrequited love and the selfless nature of divine love. The speaker's advice to the friend, to follow the example of the gods, suggests that even in the face of rejection, one can find joy and purpose in the act of giving. The poem's final insight is that the divine seeks to create beauty and goodness in the world, even in the face of scorn, and that this legacy endures as a testament to the power of love.