Victorian Poetry: Dante Gabriel Rossetti (Week IX) PDF

INTRODUCTION TO VICTORIAN POETRY DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI Dr. Zübeyir SAVAŞ - Week IX  THE FLOW OF THE LESSON ➡ A Brief Life Story of Dante Gabriel Rossetti ➡ The Pre-Raphealite Brotherhood ➡ The Love Story with Elizabeth Siddal ➡ Artistic Style and Techniques ➡...

INTRODUCTION TO VICTORIAN POETRY DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI Dr. Zübeyir SAVAŞ - Week IX  THE FLOW OF THE LESSON ➡ A Brief Life Story of Dante Gabriel Rossetti ➡ The Pre-Raphealite Brotherhood ➡ The Love Story with Elizabeth Siddal ➡ Artistic Style and Techniques ➡ Poetry and Its Connection to Art ➡ Later Years and His Legacy ➡Overall Criticism ➡Brief Summaries of Major Works  A Brief Life Story DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI ➡Gabriel Charles Dante Rossetti was born in London, England, on May 12, 1828. ➡He grew up in a family of Italian exiles with a strong interest in literature and the arts. ➡He co-founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (PRB) 1848 with William Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais. ➡The PRB rejected the prevailing artistic styles of the time and sought inspiration from early Italian Renaissance art.  The Pre-Raphealite Brotherhood A Rebellious Spirit: ➡In 1848, young Rossetti, William Holman Hunt, and John Everett Millais formed a secret society they called the Pre- Raphaelite Brotherhood (PRB). They were rebelling against the Royal Academy’s conventions and the dominant art styles of the time, which they considered artificial and overly academic. Medieval Inspiration: ➡The PRB looked further back, finding inspiration in the early Italian Renaissance art before Raphael’s time. They admired the sincerity, directness, and vibrant colours of artists like Fra Angelico and Giotto.  The Pre-Raphealite Brotherhood Naturalism and Symbolism: ➡The artists were known for their incredible focus on detail, making their paintings almost like photographs. They often created scenes inspired by stories from books, religion, and mythology, giving these images deeper meanings. A great example is Rossetti's early painting, "The Girlhood of Mary Virgin," which is filled with symbols that hint at Mary’s important future role.  The Pre-Raphealite Brotherhood The Girlhood of Mary Virgin: ➡ The painting is a prime example of the Pre-Raphaelite style, characterised by its meticulous attention to detail, vibrant colours, and focus on everyday life and religious themes. ➡ It depicts the Virgin Mary as a young girl sewing at a table. She is surrounded by household objects and symbols of her future role as the mother of Jesus. ➡ It is rich in symbolism, with objects like the lily and the dove representing purity and the Holy Spirit. The books on the table symbolise her education and the Bible. ➡ The background depicts a garden with a trellis and vines, symbolising the Garden of Eden and the promise of redemption. ➡ It conveys a sense of peace and serenity, reflecting the innocence and purity of Mary's youth.  The Love Story with Elizabeth Siddal Muse and Model: ➡ In 1849, the artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti met Elizabeth Siddal, who would play an essential role in his life. She became his muse, often serving as a model for his artwork, and they eventually married. Elizabeth was known for her stunning red hair and enchanting beauty, perfectly representing the ideal of femininity that the Pre-Raphaelite artists admired. You can see her likeness in many of Rossetti's paintings, such as “Beata Beatrix” and “Proserpine."  The Love Story with Elizabeth Siddal A Tragic End: ➡Siddal and Rossetti shared a deep but complicated love for each other. Siddal struggled with her health and often felt very sad. Sadly, she passed away in 1862 after taking too much laudanum, a type of painkiller, just a year after they got married. Her death hit Rossetti hard, leaving him filled with sorrow and a sense of guilt.  The Love Story with Elizabeth Siddal The Buried Poems: ➡In a heartfelt mix of love and sadness, Dante Gabriel Rossetti made a significant decision during the burial of his beloved wife, Elizabeth Siddal. He placed the only copy of his treasured poems in her coffin, hoping that they would be with her forever. This act showed how much he cared for her and highlighted the deep sorrow he felt over her early death. ➡As time passed, Rossetti struggled with his choice to leave the poems with her. Eventually, he decided to have her grave opened, which caused a lot of debate and shock among people in the community. Many were upset, believing he was disrespecting her final resting place. Others wondered why he would take such a drastic step, sparking conversations about the complicated mix of love, grief, and his desire to create art that played a significant role in Rossetti’s life.  Artistic Style and Techniques Sensuality and Intensity: ➡ Rossetti’s paintings are renowned for exploring profound emotions, rich colour palettes, and emphasising sensual and romantic themes. He often portrayed women in various poignant moments, whether contemplative, affectionate, or melancholic. Through his masterful use of light and shadow, he captured the subtleties of their expressions, focusing on their expressive eyes, which convey a wide range of feelings, from longing to introspection. Each piece invites viewers into an intimate world, connecting them with the emotional depth of the subjects portrayed. The interplay of colour and form enhances the beauty of these figures and illustrates the complexity of human emotion that Rossetti sought to convey.  Artistic Style and Techniques Symbolism and Medievalism: ➡ Dante Gabriel Rossetti draws profound inspiration from a rich tapestry of literature and mythology, weaving intricate narratives into his work. His passion for storytelling manifests through the thoughtful incorporation of symbolism, each detail crafted to evoke deeper meanings for the observer. The artist's fascination with the medieval era is vividly apparent in the elaborate attire donned by his characters, reminiscent of the garb worn in that historical period. The settings of his paintings transport viewers to enchanting landscapes, complete with gothic architecture and lush countryside that echo the essence of medieval life. This historical intrigue saturates the overall atmosphere of his pieces, creating a mood that is both enchanting and contemplative, inviting onlookers to explore the layers of meaning within each brushstroke.  Artistic Style and Techniques From Realism to Aestheticism: ➡In the initial phases of his artistic career, his works closely adhered to the principles championed by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (PRB), which strongly emphasised realism and attention to detail. His early paintings often showcased vibrant colours and intricate textures, faithfully reflecting the natural world. However, as his artistic journey progressed, his style had a notable transformation. ➡His later works embraced a more stylised and decorative approach, moving away from the strict realism that characterised his beginnings. This shift was significantly influenced by the Aesthetic movement, which emerged during the late 19th century. The Aesthetic movement emphasised the importance of beauty and the emotional power of art, often prioritising aesthetic experience over moral or narrative concerns. In his new body of work, the focus shifted to creating visually captivating compositions that celebrate artistic expression, often featuring elaborate patterns, rich colour palettes, and a departure from the constraints of the literal representation of reality. This evolution in his style marks a significant chapter in his artistic legacy, showcasing a beauty search that transcends conventional storytelling.  Poetry and Its Connection to Art Love, Loss, and Beauty: ➡Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s poetry delves deeply into profound themes such as love, longing, beauty, and death, reflecting the emotional and aesthetic qualities found in his visual art. His poetic works often capture the essence of human experience, intertwining intense feelings with mystical and ethereal imagery. Characterised by their rich sensuality, his poems employ vivid descriptions that evoke robust visual and emotional responses. Additionally, Rossetti’s mastery of sound and rhythm lends a musical quality to his verses, inviting readers to hear and feel the depth of his expressions. Through this synthesis of art and literature, Rossetti creates a captivating exploration of the complexities of the human spirit and the transient nature of beauty.  Poetry and Its Connection to Art The Blessed Damozel: ➡This poem, crafted during his formative years, is a powerful illustration of the deep intertwining of his poetry and visual art. It narrates the poignant tale of a woman residing in a heavenly realm consumed by a deep longing for her beloved left behind on Earth. This theme of yearning and separation resonates profoundly in the poem and his accompanying painting, which shares the same title. The poem captures the essence of spiritual yearning through vivid imagery and emotive language, painting a picture of the ethereal beauty of both the woman in heaven and her connection to the earthly realm. The interplay between the two works emphasises the artist’s understanding of love and loss and highlights the timeless nature of these universal themes.  Poetry and Its Connection to Art The Blessed Damozel:  Poetry and Its Connection to Art Sonnets and Ballads: ➡Dante Gabriel Rossetti was widely regarded as a master of the sonnet form, primarily excelling in the Italian sonnet style, characterised by its specific rhyme scheme and thematic depth. His sonnets often explore profound emotions and intricate human experiences. In addition to his expertise in shorter poetic forms, Rossetti also wrote longer narrative poems, with “Jenny” being one of his most significant works. This poem delves into the complex and often controversial subject of prostitution, examining the social and moral implications of the trade while also revealing the emotional struggles faced by those involved. Through “Jenny,” Rossetti invites readers to engage deeply with themes of desire, shame, and the societal constraints that shape individual lives.  Later Years and Legacy Reclusive and Troubled: ➡After the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Elizabeth Siddal, Dante Gabriel Rossetti started to pull away from the world around him. This loss hit him hard and led to sleepless nights filled with restlessness and distress. To cope with his overwhelming sadness and inability to sleep, he turned to a drug called chloralhydrate, which caused him to struggle with addiction and worsened his overall health. ➡As Rossetti faced these personal challenges, they appeared in his later art. During this time, his work took on a darker and sombre tone, reflecting themes of sadness, longing, and deep reflection. The pain he felt, and the challenges in his life became evident in his paintings and poems, resulting in a body of work that powerfully expresses his suffering and emotional struggles.  Later Years and Legacy Influence on the Aesthetic Movement: ➡Despite facing various personal and professional challenges throughout his life, Dante Gabriel Rossetti remained a prolific creator, producing a body of art and poetry that left a lasting mark on the Aesthetic movement of the late 19th century. His work was characterised by a deep emphasis on beauty and sensuality and a fervent commitment to artistic expression that transcended mere representation. This unique approach resonated powerfully with contemporaneous artists and writers such as Oscar Wilde, who celebrated the pursuit of beauty, and James McNeill Whistler, known for his innovative use of colour and composition. Rossetti’s influence extended beyond his immediate circle, shaping the ideals of a generation that prioritised aesthetic experience as a fundamental aspect of art and literature.  Later Years and Legacy Enduring Influence: ➡Dante Gabriel Rossetti is a figure whose impact goes beyond the Victorian era, influencing art and literature today. He was a key member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, who wanted to bring back the bright colours and detailed realism seen in artwork before the Renaissance. They also focused on themes of beauty, nature, and mythology. ➡Rossetti created stunning paintings with rich colours and intricate details that feature otherworldly subjects. These works draw in viewers, stirring deep feelings and encouraging discussions about love, beauty, and the human experience. In addition to painting, he wrote poetry that often reflected a sense of longing and deep thought about feelings, showcasing his fascination with beauty and the connections between art and life. ➡Together, his artistic and literary creations remind us of the power of art to not only represent our world but also shape how we understand it. They invite us to explore the complex and often life-changing experiences related to life and love. Rossetti’s influence is still felt today, inspiring modern artists and poets and ensuring that his legacy as one of Britain’s great creative minds will continue for years.  Overall Criticism ➡Rossetti’s poetry, deeply intertwined with his life and marked by constant revision, is tricky to categorise. Though roughly divided into three periods (early, middle, and late), many poems, like “The Blessed Damozel,” transcend these boundaries due to his lifelong habit of reworking them. This highlights two key aspects of his work: Meticulous Craftsmanship and Intense Personal Identification  Overall Criticism ➡Meticulous Craftsmanship: Rossetti was a perfectionist, treating his poems as carefully crafted objects rather than spontaneous outpourings. This explains his reluctance to publish and sensitivity to criticism. ➡Intense Personal Identification: He was deeply invested in his poetry, seeing it as an extension of himself. This is evident in his dramatic act of burying his poems with his wife, Elizabeth Siddal.  Overall Criticism ➡Rossetti’s poetry, often veiled in elaborate style, explores themes of love, loss, and the limitations of language. While grounded in personal experience, it reaches readers through a highly stylised lens, making interpreting challenging. His poems delve into the tension between language and feeling, highlighting how language can create and deny communication. ➡His poetry is a unique blend of influences. It shares the Victorian fascination with sexuality, the Pre-Raphaelite love for allegory, and the Romantic focus on individual consciousness. Yet, it defies easy categorisation, ultimately offering insights into the nature of poetry itself – its power and limitations. His work remains a source of inspiration, prompting readers to engage with the complexities of language and emotion.  Brief Summaries of Major Works "The Bride’s Prelude" ➡An unfinished Rossetti poem, “The Bried’s Prelude tells the story of Aloÿse on her wedding day as she recounts a past trauma to her sister. Years prior, she had a child with a man who abandoned her family when they were exiled. Though the details are vague, it is implied that her family killed the child. Now, she is about to marry that same man, Urscelyn, who has returned with improved fortunes.  Brief Summaries of Major Works "The Bride’s Prelude" ➡Rossetti’s notes reveal a darker intended ending: Urscelyn killed Aloÿse’s true love and is marrying her for political gain. However, the poem focuses on Aloÿse's guilt and struggle to accept happiness. Confession with her sister seems to be her path to overcoming this guilt. The poem’s unfinished state and the ambiguity surrounding Urscelyn's motives highlight the complexity of Aloÿse’s situation and the limitations of language in expressing her emotional turmoil. With its repetitive structure, the ballad form further emphasises the fragmented nature of her narrative and her internal conflict.  Brief Summaries of Major Works "The Bride’s Prelude" ➡Essentially, “The Bride’s Prelude” explores themes of eros, guilt, and the failure of language to fully capture the complexities of human experience, leaving the reader to ponder the unresolved tensions and potential consequences of Aloÿse’s confession.  Brief Summaries of Major Works “A Last Confession" ➡“A Last Confession” is a dramatic monologue where a man confesses to a priest about murdering a young woman. He recounts how he took in an abandoned girl, developed feelings for her, and ultimately killed her in a fit of rage after she seemingly laughed off his affections and potentially flirted with Austrian soldiers. ➡The poem is set against the backdrop of the Austrian occupation of Italy, a political issue close to Rossetti’s family history. However, the focus remains on the personal tragedy and the speaker’s attempt to justify his actions.  Brief Summaries of Major Works “A Last Confession" ➡The confession itself becomes an act of self-deception, as the speaker’s unreliable narration casts doubt on his claims of the girl’s supposed promiscuity. The priest's silence further emphasises the speaker’s isolation and inability to unburden himself truly. ➡Ultimately, “A Last Confession” explores the themes of erotic failure, the limitations of language, and the complexities of guilt and self-justification. The poem leaves the reader questioning the speaker’s version of events and grappling with the disturbing nature of his crime.  Brief Summaries of Major Works “Jenny" ➡“Jenny” presents a complex and problematic exploration of Victorian sexuality and gender roles through the lens of a dramatic monologue. A man spends the night with a prostitute, Jenny, who falls asleep. Instead of engaging with her, he begins a lengthy internal monologue about her situation and his own. ➡The irony is multi-layered: Jenny, the subject of his musings, cannot hear his thoughts, rendering his intellectual exercise futile. He pities her as a victim of male lust but fails to acknowledge his complicity in the system that exploits her. He recognises the societal forces that drive women to prostitution but distances himself from any personal responsibility.  Brief Summaries of Major Works “Jenny" ➡While he seems to strive for enlightenment, he falls short. He objectifies Jenny, reducing her to a symbol rather than recognising her full humanity. Acknowledging her agency would force him to confront his actions and desires. ➡Ultimately, “Jenny” reveals the limitations of the speaker's perspective and the deep-seated gender inequalities of the Victorian era. The poem's language, instead of bridging the gap between them, reinforces the social and emotional distance. He retreats to his intellectual world, feeling morally superior but failing to enact meaningful change.  Brief Summaries of Major Works “Jenny" ➡The poem “Jenny” has sparked considerable debate due to its paternalistic tone and its reinforcement of Victorian stereotypes regarding women and gender roles. Critics argue that the poem reflects a condescending viewpoint, which diminishes the complexity and individuality of female characters. However, despite these criticisms, "Jenny" also provides an essential lens to understand the Victorian Era. It encapsulates the anxieties about sexuality, the rigid structures of gender norms, and the expectations of social responsibility during the Victorian Era. The tensions present in the poem contribute to a broader conversation about how societal attitudes shaped personal identities and relationships during this time, revealing the struggles individuals faced within the constraints of their roles.  THE END! Thank You For Your Time See You Next Week!