Poem Analysis - The Betrothed

Introduction: A Humorous Dilemma

Rudyard Kipling's "The Betrothed" is a humorous and cynical exploration of love and commitment, framed through the lens of a man choosing between his fiancée, Maggie, and his beloved cigars. The poem is steeped in a dismissive, almost flippant tone, as the speaker weighs the pros and cons of marriage against the consistent pleasure he derives from his "harem" of cigars. The mood shifts from initial frustration to a calculated deliberation and culminates in a decisive, albeit somewhat absurd, declaration of independence. Ultimately, the poem is a satirical commentary on the perceived burdens of marriage and the allure of bachelorhood.

The Tangible vs. the Transient: Comparing Love and Cigars

One of the main themes is the comparison between love and the fleeting satisfaction of material pleasures, specifically cigars. The speaker presents Maggie as a source of potential future trouble and aging, noting, "the prettiest cheeks must wrinkle, the truest of loves must pass." In contrast, cigars offer a consistent, reliable form of comfort: "There's peace in a Larranaga, there's calm in a Henry Clay." However, even the beloved cigar is finite: "the best cigar in an hour is finished and thrown away." This transience is then contrasted with the permanence of marriage, suggesting a potential for a long, joyless commitment to someone who may eventually resemble "the butt of a dead cigar...charred and black to the socket!" The poem uses this extended metaphor to suggest that the fleeting pleasure of multiple, easily replaceable cigars is preferable to the potential for a lasting, unsatisfying relationship.

Freedom vs. Bondage: The Choice

Another significant theme revolves around the tension between freedom and bondage. The speaker explicitly frames his choice as one between "bondage bought with a ring" and a "harem of dusky beauties, fifty tied in a string?" The "harem" in this case represents his cigars, each offering unique solace and companionship without the demands or expectations of a marital relationship. He imagines the constant replenishment of his cigar supply from "the furrows of far-off Java, the isles of the Spanish Main," emphasizing the unending stream of fresh pleasures available to him, unlike the singular, potentially diminishing, pleasure offered by Maggie. This portrayal underscores the speaker's desire for independence and his aversion to the perceived constraints of marriage.

The Cigar as Symbol: Comfort and Control

The cigar functions as a central symbol throughout the poem, representing comfort, control, and a predictable source of pleasure. The detailed descriptions of various cigars – "Cuba stout," "good cheroot," "Larranaga," "Henry Clay," "mild Manila" – highlights the speaker's connoisseurship and the personalized satisfaction he derives from each. The act of smoking itself is portrayed as a meditative ritual, allowing him to "consider a space" and muse on his predicament. Furthermore, the image of discarding a finished cigar and replacing it with a new one symbolizes the speaker's desire for novelty and his aversion to the stagnation he associates with married life. The cigar, therefore, becomes a symbol of the speaker’s desire for control over his own happiness and a resistance to the perceived demands of love and marriage.

Conclusion: A Smoldering Declaration of Independence

"The Betrothed" is a cleverly constructed poem that uses humor and hyperbole to explore the anxieties surrounding commitment and the allure of freedom. The speaker's decision to choose cigars over Maggie, while seemingly absurd, reveals a deeper commentary on the perceived burdens of marriage and the desire for self-determination. By framing his choice in such stark terms, Kipling creates a memorable and provocative exploration of love, commitment, and the enduring appeal of simple pleasures. The poem ultimately leaves the reader questioning the speaker's true motivations and the validity of his rather cynical perspective on relationships.