Analysis of on Monsieurs Departure

Introduction

"On Monsieur's Departure" is a poem by Elizabeth I, who was the Queen of England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603. It was written during a period of political and religious chaos, given that Elizabeth I was one of the last Protestant rulers in a mostly Catholic Europe. In this essay, we'll dig into the themes, structure, and language of "On Monsieur's Departure" to better understand the poem and its importance.

Themes

One big theme in "On Monsieur's Departure" is the clash between duty and personal desire. As Queen, Elizabeth I was always torn between her responsibilities and her quest for personal joy. This struggle is clear in the lines, "I grieve and dare not show my discontent, / I love and yet am forced to seem to hate." Here, she shows her inner conflict of having to hide her true feelings and pretend to hate someone she actually loves.
Another theme in the poem is the burden of power and the loneliness that comes with it. Elizabeth I was known for her strong leadership and independence, and this poem reflects the isolation she often felt. The line, "I am and not, I freeze and yet am burned," shows the contradictory feelings of being in power, where one can feel both numb and overwhelmed at the same time.

Structure

The structure of "On Monsieur's Departure" is like a sonnet, a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. But Elizabeth I mixes things up by using irregular line lengths and varying line endings. This break from tradition mirrors her rebellion against societal expectations and her wish to freely express her emotions.
The poem is split into three quatrains and a couplet, with each quatrain looking at a different aspect of her emotions. The first quatrain sets up the conflict between duty and desire, the second dives into the burden of power, and the third quatrain shows her longing for freedom. The couplet wraps things up, summarizing her internal struggle and her ultimate acceptance of her role as Queen.

Language

The language in "On Monsieur's Departure" is rich with imagery and symbolism. Elizabeth I uses metaphors to show her complex emotions and the challenges she faces as a ruler. For instance, the line, "I am and not, I freeze and yet am burned," uses contrasting images to illustrate her conflicting feelings. The paradoxical language highlights her inner turmoil.
The poem also includes religious imagery, reflecting the religious tensions of the time. As a Protestant monarch, Elizabeth I was always under threat from Catholic factions. The lines, "Thou canst not vex me with inconstant mind, / Since that my life on thy revolt doth lie," suggest her reliance on God and her trust in divine providence to protect her from her enemies.

Conclusion

In "On Monsieur's Departure," Elizabeth I gives us a peek into her personal struggles as a powerful female ruler. Through themes like duty vs. desire, the burden of power, and the use of paradox and religious imagery, she shows the complexities of her position and the inner conflicts she faces. This poem is a testament to Elizabeth I's strength and resilience, as well as her ability to turn personal experiences into timeless art. By analyzing this poem, we get a better understanding of her inner world and the challenges she faced during her reign.