Like a Bad Suitor by Fernando Pessoa

Name: Like a Bad Suitor
Author: Fernando Pessoa

The poem explores the complex emotions of unrequited love and the anxiety that accompanies it. The speaker likens their feelings to those of a rejected suitor, caught in a cycle of longing and fear. They grapple with the duality of love—both the desire to be loved and the dread of rejection. The speaker's introspection reveals a deep vulnerability, as they question the value of their own words and the impact they may have on others. The imagery of "inner eyes" suggests a struggle between the desire to confront reality and the instinct to avoid potential pain. The speaker's hesitation to seek validation reflects a broader commentary on the human condition, where hope and fear coexist. The poem captures the essence of longing, as the speaker yearns for connection while simultaneously fearing the consequences of that desire. Ultimately, the work delves into the paradox of love: the simultaneous pursuit of acceptance and the fear of exposure. The speaker's reflections on their own thoughts and the perceptions of others highlight the intricate dance between self-awareness and the desire for external affirmation. The poem resonates with anyone who has experienced the turmoil of love, encapsulating the tension between aspiration and apprehension.

By Fernando Pessoa · First published 1929 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Existentialism · 180 words

First lines

Like a bad suitor desperate and trembling

From the mixed sense of being not loved and loving, Who with feared longing half would know, dissembling With what he'd wish proved what he fears soon proving, I look with inner eyes afraid to look, Yet perplexed into looking, at the worth This verse may have and wonder, of my book, To what thoughts shall't in alien hearts give birth.

But, as he who doth love, and, loving, hopes, Yet, hoping, fears, fears to put proof to proof, And in his mind for possible proofs gropes, Delaying the true proof, lest the real thing scoff, I daily live, i'th' fame I dream to see, But by my thought of others' thought of me.

What this Textopian page supports

Like a Bad Suitor is listed on Textopian as a poem by Fernando Pessoa, dated 1929 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Fernando Pessoa
Date: 1929 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Existentialism, Lyric, Modernism
Length: 180 words
Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
Romanticism — Themes of love, longing, and emotional conflict are central to the text.
Existentialism — Explores the inner turmoil and existential fears of the speaker regarding love and self-perception.
Lyric — Expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.