Annabel Lee

“Annabel Lee” 

"अ‍ॅनाबेल ली" ही अमेरिकन कवी एडगर ऍलन पो यांनी लिहिलेली एक प्रेमकविता आहे. ही कविता १८४९ मध्ये प्रकाशित झाली आणि ती शोकांत प्रेमकथा म्हणून ओळखली जाते.ही कविता एका तरुण माणसाची कहाणी सांगते, जो आपल्या अ‍ॅनाबेल ली नावाच्या प्रेयसीवर अतूट प्रेम करतो. त्यांचे प्रेम इतके खोल आणि शुद्ध होते की स्वर्गातील देवदूत (एंजेल्स) सुद्धा त्यांचा  मत्सर करू लागले. त्यामुळे, नियतीने त्यांना विभक्त केले – अ‍ॅनाबेल ली आजारी पडते आणि मृत्यू पावते. तथापि, तिच्या मृत्यूनंतरही, कवी तिच्यावर तितकेच प्रेम करतो. तो असे सांगतो की त्यांचे प्रेम इतके शक्तिशाली होते की मृत्यू देखील त्यांना वेगळे करू शकत नाही. रात्री चंद्र उगवल्यावर तो तिच्या आठवणींमध्ये रमतो आणि दररोज समुद्रकिनाऱ्यावर जाऊन तिच्या थडग्याजवळ वेळ घालवतो. अशा प्रकारे ही कविता खरे प्रेम मृत्यूनंतरही टिकते, आणि शरीराचे नष्ट होणे हे प्रेमाच्या प्रवासाचा शेवट नसतो यावरती भाष्य करते..

“Annabel Lee” 

Introduction:

"Annabel Lee" is a poem composed by Edgar Allan Poe. It is a deeply emotional poem about love, loss and the power of memory. Poe is one of the important poets of American literature. The poem deals with the death of a young, beautiful woman, Annabel Lee. The poem is narrated by her lover. The speaker claims that his bond with Annabel Lee was so strong that, even after her death, they are still together.

“Annabel Lee”:

Many years ago, there was a kingdom (साम्राज्य) by the sea. In this kingdom lived a young woman called Annabel Lee.  Annabel and the speaker had been friends since their childhood. According to the speaker, Annabel lived with no other thought than her love for the speaker. This love was so special that the angels from heaven (स्वर्गातील देवदूत), and demons from the sea (समुद्रातील राक्षस) were jealous (हेवा वाटणे) of it. And this was the reason, that one day “a wind blew out of a cloud” which chilled Anabel, and she died untimely. The “highborn kinsmen” came and took Annabel away from the speaker and buried (दफन करणे) her in ‘a sephulcre’ (सेफ्युलकर/कबर). 

The speaker, even after so many years, cannot forget his love for the beautiful Anabel Lee. The shining moon brings the dreams of his beloved. The twinkling stars remind him of her eyes. Lost in her memories and powerful emotions, the speaker lies down by the side of her tomb (थडगे).  

Theme of the poem:

Love versus death (प्रेम विरुद्ध मृत्यू) is a main theme of this poem. The poem tells the story of young love cut short by tragedy (शोकांतिका). As the speaker discusses his relationship with the departed (निघून गेलेली) Annabel Lee, he presents the love between them as pure and eternal (चिरंतन). The love between the speaker and Annabel Lee may have been short-lived (अल्प काळाचे), but it remains too powerful to be defeated (पराभूत होणे), even by death. Through describing this intensely idealized love, the poem argues that love is the strongest force on earth. “Her sephulcre by the sea” is an important line in the poem. Here ‘sephulcre’ stands for death, and ‘sea’ stands for eternity. The poet wants to suggest that love is not confined to the tomb, but eternal and immemorial. Thus the poet celebrates the greatness of love.

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Ballad

 

बॅलड ही एक कविता किंवा गाण्याची शैली आहे जी साध्या आणि लयबद्ध भाषेत एखादी कथा सांगते. पारंपरिकरित्या, बॅलड्स तोंडी म्हटले जात आणि पिढ्यानपिढ्या संगीतातून पुढे नेले जात. १८व्या शतकापासून बॅलड लिहिण्याची परंपरा सुरु झाली. अशा प्रकारे बॅलडचे पारंपारिक बॅलड व साहित्यिक बॅलड असे प्रकार दिसून येतात.

बॅलडच्या महत्त्वाच्या वैशिष्ट्ये

• बॅलड म्हणजे केवळ भावना व्यक्त करणारी कविता नाही, तर ती पूर्ण कथा सांगते.
• प्रेम, साहस, वीरता, शोकांतिका, आणि गूढ गोष्टी यासारखे विषय सामान्यतः बॅलेडमध्ये आढळतात.
• बॅलड्समध्ये दैनंदिन भाषा आणि सोपी वाक्यरचना असते, त्यामुळे ती सहज समजते.
• लांब वर्णनांपेक्षा घटना आणि संवादांवर भर दिला जातो.
• बहुतेक बॅलड्स चार ओळींच्या कडव्यांमध्ये (quatrains) लिहिलेल्या असतात.
• पारंपरिक बॅलड्समध्ये ABCB किंवा AABB ही यमकयोजना असते.
• अनेकदा काही ओळी किंवा कडवे वारंवार येते, ज्यामुळे ते सहज लक्षात राहते आणि गाण्यासारखे वाटते.
• बॅलड्समध्ये ठराविक लय असते, विशेषतः iambic meter (एक जुळी स्वर-व्यवस्था, जिथे प्रत्येकी दुसरा शब्द जोर देऊन उच्चारला जातो).
• बॅलडमध्ये घटनांना आणि पात्रांच्या संवादाला महत्त्व असते. त्यामुळे ती गद्यकथेप्रमाणे वाटते पण त्यात कवितेचा लयबद्धपणा असतो.

बॅलड हा आजही प्रचलित काव्यप्रकार असून, तसेच तो संगीतातीलदेखील एक लोकप्रिय प्रकार आहे.

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A ballad is a form of poetry or song that tells a story in a simple and rhythmic way. Traditionally, ballads were passed down orally from generation to generation, often through singing, making them a part of folk traditions in many cultures. Over time, they were written down and adapted into literary forms.

Key Characteristics of a Ballad

1. Narrative Style (Tells a Story)
• Other poems focus on emotions or descriptions. A ballad focuses mainly on a story element.
• Common themes of a ballad include love, adventure, heroism, tragedy, and supernatural events.
2. Simple Language
• Ballads use everyday words and simple sentence structures, making them easy to understand.
• They focus on action and dialogue rather than lengthy descriptions.
3. Fixed Structure and Repetition
• Ballads use four-line stanza pattern.
• They follow a regular rhyme scheme, usually ABCB or AABB.
• Many ballads include a refrain that is, a repeated line or stanza. It adds a song-like quality.
4. Dramatic Action & Dialogue
• Ballads focus on events rather than deep personal thoughts.
• They often include dialogue between characters to make the story more engaging.

Types of Ballads

1. Folk Ballads (Traditional Ballads)
• Originated as oral literature, passed down through generations.
• The poet of such ballads is anonymous. These ballads are modified over time.
2. Literary Ballads
• Written by known poets, following the ballad style.
• More refined but still retains the storytelling and rhythm of folk ballads.

Ballads in Modern Culture

• Ballads are still popular today, especially in music. Many slow, emotional songs with storytelling elements follow the ballad form.
• Examples include folk songs, country ballads, rock ballads, and even pop songs with narrative lyrics.

Some examples of ballads:

·         Traditional Ballad: “Robin Hood”

·         Literary Ballad: “The Rime of Ancient Mariner” by S. T. Coleridge

·         Pop song: “Yesterday” by Beatles

Conclusion

A ballad is a simple yet powerful storytelling form. It is a blending of poetry and music. Whether in ancient folk songs or modern ballads, the tradition of telling emotional and dramatic stories in verse continues to engage audiences.

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Elegy

 

इलेजी (Elegy)/शोकगीत  हा कविता प्रकार दु:ख, शोक किंवा आठवणी व्यक्त करणारा असतो. विशेषतः एखाद्या व्यक्तीच्या मृत्यूनंतर त्याला श्रद्धांजली अर्पण करण्यासाठी हा काव्यप्रकार वापरला जातो. मात्र, इलेजी केवळ मृत्यूबाबतच नसते; ती कधी कधी जीवनाच्या तात्पर्याबद्दल, वेळेच्या अपरिहार्य प्रवाहाबद्दल, किंवा हरवलेल्या गोष्टींबद्दल चिंतन करणारीही असू शकते.

इलेजीच्या वैशिष्ट्ये :

कवितेच्या सुरुवातीला कवी मृत व्यक्तीबद्दल किंवा हरवलेल्या गोष्टीबद्दल दु:ख व्यक्त करतो.

मृत व्यक्तीच्या चांगल्या गुणांचे, त्याच्या योगदानाचे वर्णन केले जाते.

मृत्यू हा अपरिहार्य आहे, याबद्दल विचारमंथन केले जाते. कधी कधी अध्यात्मिक किंवा धार्मिक दृष्टिकोनही कवितेत दिसतो.

कविता केवळ दु:ख व्यक्त करत नाही, तर अखेरीस शांततेचा किंवा आशेचा संदेश देते.

इलेजी ही केवळ दु:ख व्यक्त करण्याची कविता नसून, ती माणसाच्या अस्तित्वाचा आणि मृत्यूचा विचार करण्यासाठी प्रेरित करते. ही कविता आठवणी जागवते, श्रद्धांजली अर्पण करते आणि मरणोत्तर जीवनाविषयी चिंतन करण्यास प्रवृत्त करते.

Elegy:

An elegy is a type of poem that expresses grief and sorrow, often for someone who has died. However, it is not just a simple lament—it also includes reflections on life, the nature of loss, and sometimes hope or acceptance. The elegy has been an important part of poetry for centuries, appearing in both classical and modern literature.

1. Definition and Origin:

The word “elegy” comes from the Greek word elegeia. Originally, an elegy referred to a poem written in the elegiac metre. Over time, the term evolved to mean a poem that expresses sorrow, particularly mourning the dead.

In ancient Greece and Rome, elegies were not always about death. They were also used to express personal emotions, including love and loss. However, in English literature, the elegy has been primarily associated with lamentation and reflection on death.

2. Key Features of an Elegy:

While elegies do not have a fixed structure, they generally contain the following elements:

a) Expression of Grief:

The poem begins by expressing deep sorrow for the loss of a person, event, or even an idea.

b) Praise and Tribute:

The departed person is honored for his virtues, achievements and good qualities.

c) Reflection on Life and Death:

The poem explores philosophical ideas about mortality and the temporary nature of life. Questions about fate, destiny, and the meaning of life are also explored.

d) Consolation or Hope:

Many elegies shift from sorrow to acceptance of death and offer comfort or a sense of peace by the end of the poem. The poet suggests that the departed person lives on through memory, and legacy.

3. Types of Elegy

a) Personal Elegy:

Written for a specific individual whom the poet knew personally.

Example: Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “In Memoriam A.H.H.”, written in memory of his close friend.

b) Public Elegy:

Mourns the death of a public figure or a group of people.

Example: Walt Whitman’s “O Captain! My Captain!” mourns Abraham Lincoln’s death.

c) Pastoral Elegy:

Uses nature imagery to express grief.

Example: John Milton’s “Lycidas”, written for his friend, follows the conventions of pastoral elegy.

d) Philosophical Elegy:

Focuses not just on personal grief but on broader questions about mortality and human existence.

Example: Thomas Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”, which reflects on the fate of common people and the inevitability of death.

4. Conclusion:

Elegies serve as a way for poets to process grief, honor the dead, and reflect on human mortality. Whether written for a loved one, a famous figure, or as a philosophical meditation on life and death, elegies remain a powerful and enduring form of poetry.They remind us that while death is inevitable, memory, love, and poetry can offer a sense of continuity and hope.

My Last Duchess

My Last Duchess

—    Robert Browning

रॉबर्ट ब्राऊनिंग यांनी लिहिलेली My Last Duchess ही एक प्रसिद्ध ड्रॅमॅटिक मोनोलॉग प्रकारातील कविता आहे. संपूर्ण कविता ही एका पात्राच्या एकतर्फी संभाषणाच्या स्वरूपात मांडली आहे. या कवितेतील ड्युक एका पाहुण्याशी बोलत आहे, जो त्याच्याकडे पुढील विवाहाच्या वाटाघाटीसाठी आला आहे. मात्र, या बोलण्यातून त्याच्या जुन्या पत्नीबद्दल (डचेसबद्दल) आणि त्याच्या व्यक्तिमत्त्वाबद्दल धक्कादायक सत्य उलगडते.

ड्युक पाहुण्याला एका सुंदर पेंटिंगसमोर नेतो, जे त्याच्या माजी पत्नीचे (डचेसचे) आहे. हे चित्र प्रसिद्ध चित्रकार फ्रां पांडोल्फ यांनी रंगवले आहे. ड्युक फक्त निवडक लोकांनाच हे चित्र पाहण्याची संधी देतो, कारण तोच ठरवत असतो की कोणाला डचेसचा चेहरा पाहण्याची परवानगी द्यायची.

तो पाहुण्याला सांगतो की हे चित्र किती वास्तवदर्शी आहे—डचेसचे हसणे, तिच्या चेहऱ्यावरचा आनंद आणि तिच्या डोळ्यातील चमक अगदी जिवंत वाटते. पण जसजसे तो बोलत जातो, तसतसे हे स्पष्ट होते की त्याला पत्नीचे हे आनंदी, खेळकर आणि प्रेमळ वागणे पसंत नव्हते.

ड्युक सांगतो की डचेस प्रत्येकाच्या लहानशा कृतींने आनंदी व्हायची—तिला सूर्यप्रकाश, गोड बोलणारे सेवक, कोणीतरी तिला दिलेली एखादी छोटीशी भेटवस्तू यामुळेदेखील तिला हसू यायचे. मात्र, ड्युकला हे खटकत होते की ती त्याच्यासाठी वेगळी वागत नाही. तिचे हास्य आणि आनंद सगळ्यांसाठी सारखेच होते.

त्याच्या मते, पत्नीने फक्त त्याच्यासाठी आणि त्याच्या अधिकारासाठी विशेष आदर दाखवला पाहिजे होता, पण ती प्रत्येकाशी समान आणि स्नेहपूर्ण वागत असे. हे पाहून ड्युक अस्वस्थ झाला आणि त्याने तिला बदलण्याचा विचार केला.

तो स्पष्टपणे सांगतो की त्याला तिला थेट बदलण्यास सांगायचे नव्हते, कारण तो असा मानतो की एका उच्चवर्गीय व्यक्तीने अशा छोट्या गोष्टींवरून तक्रार करणे हे त्याच्या प्रतिष्ठेला शोभत नाही. त्यामुळे त्याने एक साधा निर्णय घेतला—"मी आज्ञा दिली आणि तिचे हास्य कायमचे थांबले."

या वाक्यातून सूचित होते की ड्युकनेच डचेसचा बळी दिला असावा किंवा तिच्या मृत्यूची व्यवस्था केली असावी. मात्र, तो या गोष्टीबद्दल पूर्णपणे थंड आणि निर्दयी आहे, कारण त्याला वाटते की त्याने काहीही चुकीचे केले नाही.

इतक्या गंभीर गोष्टी सांगूनही ड्युक आपल्या पाहुण्याशी सहज बोलत राहतो. तो विषय बदलतो आणि त्याच्या पुढच्या लग्नासंदर्भात बोलायला सुरुवात करतो.

यात एक मोठा विरोधाभास दिसतो—जो माणूस आपल्या पत्नीच्या मृत्यूविषयी इतक्या सहजपणे बोलतो, तोच आता पुढच्या लग्नाच्या तयारीत आहे!

ड्युक एक अहंकारी, निर्दयी आणि स्वतःला श्रेष्ठ समजणारा माणूस आहे. तो पत्नीला मारून टाकतो आणि तरीही स्वतःला निर्दोष मानतो. तो एका व्यक्तीचे आयुष्य संपवतो आणि त्यावर पश्चात्तापही करत नाही—ही गोष्ट कवितेला आणखी भयानक बनवते.

ही कविता केवळ एका व्यक्तीची कहाणी नसून पुरुषसत्ताक व्यवस्थेतील स्त्रियांच्या परिस्थितीवरही भाष्य करते, म्हणूनच ती आजही महत्त्वाची मानली जाते.

 

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Robert Browning was a famous English poet known for his dramatic monologues. Browning’s writing is often complex, but he had a great talent for storytelling and exploring deep emotions. Browning is considered as one of the great Victorian poets. One of his most famous poems is My Last Duchess. In this poem, a Duke (सरदार) talks about his late wife (मृत पत्नी) in a chilling way. The poem was published in his book ‘Dramatic Lyrics’.

Dramatic monologue is a type of poem written in the first-person form of speech by a single character. The speaker is speaking with one or many persons. It features some specific qualities like first person narration, and silent listener. It reveals the psychological insights (मानसशास्त्रीय ज्ञान) and the true personality of the speaker through his inner thoughts and feelings.

The poem, “My Last Duchess” is one of the perfect and finest examples of dramatic monologues. The poem is set in ‘Ferrara’ which was the capital of one province (प्रांत) of Italy. In this poem, the speaker is the Duke of Ferrara. He is talking with a messenger (दूत) of the Count. The messenger had come from the Count with a marriage proposal for the Duke. The messenger in the poem is a silent listener. Here, the Duke shows him his palace and at one place describes the painting on the wall. It is a portrait of his last Duchess (सरदार पत्नी).

The painting was wonderfully painted by Friar Pandolf. It is so wonderful as if the Duchess in the portrait appears alive (जिवंत). The Duke asks the visitor to sit and observe the painting carefully. The Duke describes the expressions and passions on the face of the Duchess in the portrait. However, he mentions that such courtesy (सौजन्य) of the Duchess was not limited to her husband only. It was meant for everyone. The Duke is displeased (असंतुष्ट) with the Duchess’ such kind of generous attitude. The Duke also complains that the Duchess was so free. She liked everything whatever she came across. She used to enjoy even the simplest things like sunset, riding on a white mule (खेचर), etc. She used to consider all the things equal. The Duke admits that she smiles whenever he passes her. But her smile was not special with her husband only. According to the Duke, it was meant for everyone. This was growing day by day. The Duke adds further. “This grew; I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together.”

The Duke ironically (उपरोधाने) points at the painting and comments that she looks as if she is alive. The Duke then requests the visitor to go back to the company. He tells the messanger that he is aware about Count’s prosperity (श्रीमंती) and generosity (उदारपणा). The Count won’t do any pretence for dowry (हुंडा). The Duke makes it clear that his object is the’ his fair daughter’ and not dowry.

In this way, without directly describing the Duke, the poem throws light clearly on his personality. The poem shows how the Duke was jealous, possessive, arrogant and cruel. The Duke sees his wife as something to be owned, just like the painting on the wall. He couldn’t control her while she was alive, so he got rid of her. The Duchess was kind to everyone, smiling and blushing at simple things. This angered the Duke, who wanted her to treat him as the most important person in her life. The Duke considers himself superior. He doesn’t directly say he had his wife killed, but he strongly hints at it. He expects his next wife to be more obedient.

Thus, My Last Duchess is a powerful poem that explores the dark side of human nature—especially themes of power and control in relationships. It remains one of Robert Browning’s most famous works because of its deep psychological insight and dramatic storytelling.

 

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Original Poem

FERRARA

That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall,

Looking as if she were alive. I call

That piece a wonder, now; Fra Pandolf’s hands

Worked busily a day, and there she stands.

Will’t please you sit and look at her? I said

“Fra Pandolf” by design, for never read

Strangers like you that pictured countenance,

The depth and passion of its earnest glance,

But to myself they turned (since none puts by

The curtain I have drawn for you, but I)

And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst,

How such a glance came there; so, not the first

Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, ’twas not

Her husband’s presence only, called that spot

Of joy into the Duchess’ cheek; perhaps

Fra Pandolf chanced to say, “Her mantle laps

Over my lady’s wrist too much,” or “Paint

Must never hope to reproduce the faint

Half-flush that dies along her throat.” Such stuff

Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough

For calling up that spot of joy. She had

A heart—how shall I say?— too soon made glad,

Too easily impressed; she liked whate’er

She looked on, and her looks went everywhere.

Sir, ’twas all one! My favour at her breast,

The dropping of the daylight in the West,

The bough of cherries some officious fool

Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule

She rode with round the terrace—all and each

Would draw from her alike the approving speech,

Or blush, at least. She thanked men—good! but thanked

Somehow—I know not how—as if she ranked

My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name

With anybody’s gift. Who’d stoop to blame

This sort of trifling? Even had you skill

In speech—which I have not—to make your will

Quite clear to such an one, and say, “Just this

Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss,

Or there exceed the mark”—and if she let

Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set

Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse—

E’en then would be some stooping; and I choose

Never to stoop. Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt,

Whene’er I passed her; but who passed without

Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands;

Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands

As if alive. Will’t please you rise? We’ll meet

The company below, then. I repeat,

The Count your master’s known munificence

Is ample warrant that no just pretense

Of mine for dowry will be disallowed;

Though his fair daughter’s self, as I avowed

At starting, is my object. Nay, we’ll go

Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though,

Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity,

Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!

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