The Courtship of Miles Standish Poem Analysis
"The Courtship of Miles Standish" is a narrative poem by the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, published in 1858. The poem is set in the early days of the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts during the 1620s and is based on a romanticized version of historical events. The poem tells the story of a love triangle between the characters Miles Standish, Priscilla Mullins, and John Alden. The poem explores themes of love, friendship, courage, and the spirit of the early American settlers.
Structure and form:
The poem is written in dactylic hexameter, a meter commonly used in epic poetry. It consists of eight cantos, each containing a varying number of stanzas. The use of dactylic hexameter and the division into cantos are reminiscent of classical epics, such as Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey." However, Longfellow's poem is unique in that it focuses on a romantic story set in early American history, rather than recounting the tales of ancient heroes and gods.
Themes:
Love: At the core of the poem is the theme of love, as it tells the story of the love triangle between Miles Standish, Priscilla Mullins, and John Alden. The various manifestations of love, such as romantic love, unrequited love, and love between friends, are explored throughout the poem.
Friendship: The poem highlights the importance of friendship, as Miles Standish and John Alden are close friends who find themselves in a complicated situation due to their mutual feelings for Priscilla Mullins. The story examines the power of friendship and the difficulties that can arise when love and friendship become entangled.
Courage: The poem explores the concept of courage, both in the context of physical bravery and in facing emotional challenges. The character of Miles Standish, a military leader, embodies physical courage, while John Alden must find the emotional courage to express his feelings for Priscilla Mullins despite his loyalty to his friend Miles.
The spirit of the early American settlers: Longfellow's poem is a reflection on the lives and values of the early American settlers, as it is set during the formation of the Plymouth Colony. The poem captures the spirit of these settlers, who faced numerous challenges in building a new life in a foreign land. Themes such as self-reliance, community, and perseverance are prominent throughout the poem.
In summary, "The Courtship of Miles Standish" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is a romantic narrative poem that tells the story of a love triangle set in the early days of the Plymouth Colony. The poem's themes of love, friendship, courage, and the spirit of the early American settlers are explored through the richly detailed characters and their interactions. Longfellow's use of dactylic hexameter and the division into cantos give the poem an epic quality, reflecting the grandeur of the historical period and the emotions of the characters.