Love is a complicated emotion that can bring joy or heartbreak. However, when love is kept secret, it can add an entirely new layer of complexity to the situation. The forbidden nature of secret love can evoke a range of emotions, from euphoria to despair, and many poets throughout history have explored this theme in their work.
The Thrill of Secret Love
There is a certain excitement that comes with keeping a secret love. The rush of sneaking around, stolen glances, and secret rendezvous can be exhilarating. Poets have captured this feeling in their work, describing the thrill of secret love in vivid detail.
In ???Sonnet 116??? by William Shakespeare, the speaker describes love as an ???ever-fixed mark??? that is not ???Time's fool,??? meaning that true love is constant and unchanging. However, the speaker also acknowledges that love can be ???tempests??? and ???rough winds,??? suggesting that the thrill of secret love can be both exciting and tumultuous.
Similarly, in John Donne???s ???The Sun Rising,??? the speaker addresses the sun and tells it to go away so that he and his lover can continue to bask in the warmth of their love. The poem is playful and romantic, capturing the joy of secret love.
The Pain of Unrequited Love
While secret love can be thrilling, it can also be painful, especially when the love is not returned. Poets have explored the agony of unrequited love in their work, often describing the feeling as a physical pain.
In ???When We Two Parted??? by Lord Byron, the speaker describes the pain of a secret love that has ended. He says that he and his lover ???parted in silence and tears,??? and that he still feels the pain of the loss years later. The poem is a poignant reflection on the lasting effects of unrequited love.
Similarly, in Emily Dickinson???s ???I Cannot Live With You,??? the speaker laments that her love cannot be openly acknowledged because of societal constraints. She says that she would rather ???choose a prison / Than be crowned in a starry expanse,??? suggesting that the pain of secret love is preferable to the pain of living without it.
The Temptation of Forbidden Love
Secret love is often forbidden love, whether it be due to societal constraints, cultural norms, or personal circumstances. Poets have explored the temptation of forbidden love in their work, often describing the struggle between their desire and their conscience.
In ???Annabel Lee??? by Edgar Allan Poe, the speaker describes his love for a woman who has died. He says that the angels were jealous of their love and that is why they took her away. The poem is a haunting reflection on the power of forbidden love.
Similarly, in Pablo Neruda???s ???If You Forget Me,??? the speaker warns his lover that if she forgets him, he will forget her as well. He says that their love is like a ???secret plant??? that needs to be tended in secret. The poem is a passionate plea for the preservation of their forbidden love.
The Beauty of Hidden Love
Despite the pain and complexity of secret love, there is also a certain beauty to it. Poets have captured the beauty of hidden love in their work, often describing it as something pure and innocent.
In ???She Walks in Beauty??? by Lord Byron, the speaker describes a woman???s beauty as something that is ???nameless,??? ???unearthly,??? and ???pure.??? The poem is a celebration of the beauty of hidden love, suggesting that there is something special and sacred about it.
Similarly, in Elizabeth Barrett Browning???s ???How Do I Love Thee???? the speaker describes her love as something that is ???quiet,??? ???pure,??? and ???soulful.??? The poem is a beautiful expression of the purity and depth of hidden love.
