The Parting by MICHAEL DRAYTON

 MICHAEL DRAYTON

The Parting

Text

SINCE there 's no help, come let us kiss and part—

Nay, I have done, you get no more of me;

And I am glad, yea, glad with all my heart,

That thus so cleanly I myself can free.

Shake hands for ever, cancel all our vows,

And when we meet at any time again,

Be it not seen in either of our brows

That we one jot of former love retain.

Now at the last gasp of Love's latest breath,

When, his pulse failing, Passion speechless lies,

When Faith is kneeling by his bed of death,

And Innocence is closing up his eyes,

    —Now if thou wouldst, when all have given him over,

    From death to life thou might'st him yet recover.

Introduction

The Parting is a sonnet by Michael Drayton, first published in his 1619 collection of poems, Idea: The Shepherd's Garland. The poem is a dramatic monologue spoken by the poet, who is addressing his former lover. The poem is about the breakup of their relationship, and the poet's anger and sadness at the loss of love.

Structure

The structure of Michael Drayton's poem "The Parting" is a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and structure. The poem is divided into two parts: the first eight lines (octave) and the last six lines (sestet). The octave presents the problem or situation, while the sestet offers a resolution or conclusion. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which follows the typical structure of a Shakespearean sonnet. The poem also uses iambic pentameter, which is a rhythmic pattern of five iambs per line. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next without a pause, is also present in the poem. The structure of the poem allows Drayton to express his emotions and thoughts concisely and effectively.

Summary

The poem opens with the poet telling his former lover that he is done with her. He says that he is glad to be free of her, and that he no longer wants anything to do with her. He tells her to shake hands with him forever, and to cancel all of their vows.

The poet then goes on to describe the pain that he is feeling at the loss of love. He says that he feels like he has been stabbed in the heart, and that he is dying of grief. He says that he can no longer sleep or eat, and that he is constantly thinking about her.

The poet then turns to his former lover and accuses her of being a heartless murderer. He says that she has killed their love, and that she is to blame for his pain. He says that if she had only been true to him, they could have been happy together.

The poem ends with the poet saying that he will never forgive his former lover for what she has done. He says that she will always be a part of his heart, but that he will never love her again.

Analysis

The Parting is a powerful and moving poem about the pain of love lost. The poet's anger and sadness are palpable, and his words are full of emotion. The poem is a testament to the power of love, and the pain that can be caused by its loss.

The poem is also notable for its use of vivid imagery. The poet's description of his pain is particularly striking, and his words create a vivid picture of his emotional state. The poem is also noteworthy for its use of metaphor. The poet compares his former lover to a heartless murderer, and his words create a powerful image of the damage that she has caused.

Overall, The Parting is a powerful and moving poem about the pain of love lost. The poet's words are full of emotion, and his imagery is vivid and striking. The poem is a testament to the power of love, and the pain that can be caused by its loss.

Here is a beautiful explanation of "The Parting":

Form: The poem is a sonnet, a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and structure. This form allows Drayton to express his emotions and thoughts concisely and effectively.

Breakup of the Relationship: The poem revolves around the end of a romantic relationship. The speaker and his partner have decided to part ways, as indicated by the line "Shake hands forever, cancle all our vows". This line emphasizes the finality and permanence of the separation.

Emotional Impact: Drayton uses vivid imagery and emotional language to convey the pain and sorrow of the breakup. For example, he describes the separation as "two souls, alas, are rent in sunder". This imagery of souls being torn apart evokes a sense of deep emotional anguish.

Loss and Regret: The poem also explores the feelings of loss and regret that accompany the end of a relationship. The speaker reflects on the moments they shared together and laments the loss of those happy times. He expresses his regret by saying, "Now at the last gasp of Love's latest breath" indicating that their love has reached its final moments.

Finality: The poem emphasizes the finality of the breakup, with no possibility of reconciliation. The line "Shake hands forever" signifies the end of their connection and the closure of their relationship. This sense of finality adds to the emotional impact of the poem.

Overall, "The Parting" by Michael Drayton is a poignant sonnet that explores the pain, loss, and finality of a breakup. Through its form and powerful imagery, the poem captures the emotions and experiences associated with the end of a relationship.