Eve of St Agnes Quotes

‘Ah, bitter chill it was!’

A description of the setting— establishment of the hostility of nature that encompasses the tragedy

‘The silver, snarling trumpets ‘gan to chide’

Hostility of the setting

‘The level chambers….were glowing to receive a thousand guests’

This is the warmth of the setting inside the castle, which is a juxtaposition to the exterior, suggesting it is separate from reality.

‘Meantime, across the moors, Had come young Porphyro, with heart of fire For Madeline’

First impression of Porphyro— he is presented as a heroic figure braving the hostile environment of the moors. The use of ‘fire’ is synonymous with destruction, suggesting no good can come out of this relationship.

‘For him, those chambers held barbarian hordes, Hyena foemen and hot-blooded lords’

Danger encompasses Porphyro in his pursuit of Madeline, making him seem more like a tragic hero and more favourable to the reader. However, this could also be seen as a significant mistake on his behalf.

‘Angela’?

This is the name of the character who leads Porphyro to Madeline, using the gothic idea of an angel messenger.

‘Thou must hold water in a witch’s sieve, And be liege-lord of all the Elves and Fays To venture so’

This is the idea that Porphyro’s plans are impossible, but he is blinded by love so he ignores this warning (therefore dooming himself and Madeline)

‘soft ringlets’

Idea of innocence of Madeline

‘there hide him in a closet’

Porphyro’s deception and Madeline’s blindness.

‘of fruits, and flowers, and bunches of knot grass’

Summer imagery of bliss— removal from reality consistent with Keats’ tragedies, that makes the tragic downfall inevitable.

‘At which fair Madeline began to weep’

There is a return to reality, and she worries about what he has been doing— tragic downfall

‘Oh leave me not in this eternal woe’

Madeline now has to marry Porphyro, as he has compromised her purity, but is scared that he will abandon her and she will subsequently be ruined.

‘Porphyro will leave me here to fade and pine’

Madeline is still afraid he is going to leave her. She recognises that she has been trapped in the situation and considers herself to be manipulated.

‘They glide, like phantoms, into the wide hall’

Supernatural, ambiguous fates that we can assume are doomed, the ‘phantom’ imagery is eerie and disconcerting