At Tintagil by Sara Teasdale (1918)
The poem reflects on themes of love, longing, and the passage of time through the lens of a historical or mythical figure, Iseult. It captures a moment of introspection as the speaker recalls Iseult's solitude in Tintagil, a castle associated with her legendary romance with Tristan. The imagery evokes a sense of melancholy, emphasizing the weight of time and the emotional burden of unfulfilled desires. The speaker describes Iseult's vigil, highlighting her awareness of the relentless march of time while surrounded by the stillness of night. The setting is intimate, with details such as the dripping candle and the hushed chamber creating a somber atmosphere. Iseult's experience is portrayed as one of deep emotional resonance, where the ache of longing is familiar yet profound. Despite the presence of other women and potential happiness, Iseult remains steadfast in her feelings, suggesting a loyalty to her love that transcends conventional desires for power or joy. The poem juxtaposes the idea of greater queens who may have experienced joy against Iseult's tragic yet noble acceptance of her fate. This tension between personal sacrifice and societal expectations underscores the complexity of love and identity. Overall, the work encapsulates a moment of reflection on love's enduring nature, the pain of separation, and the strength found in embracing one's emotional truth, even in solitude. The lyrical quality and rich imagery invite readers to ponder the deeper implications of love, loss, and the passage of time.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1918 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism · 147 words
First lines
Iseult, Iseult, by the long waterways / Watching the wintry moon, white as a flower, / I have remembered how once in Tintagil / You heard the tread of Time hour after hour.
By casements hung with night, while all your women slept / You turned toward Brittany, awake, alone, / In the high chamber hushed, save where the candle dripped / With the slow patient sound of blood on stone.
The ache of empty arms was an old tale to you, / And all the tragic tunes that love can play, / Yet with no woman born would you have changed your lot, / Though there were greater queens who had been gay.
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, longing, and nature align with Romantic ideals.
- Symbolism — The use of imagery and symbols to convey deeper meanings is prevalent in the text.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story through its exploration of Iseult's thoughts and feelings.
Tags
love · loss · memory · longing · tragedy · solitude · time · Brittany · Iseult · Tintagil · moon · winter
What this Textopian page supports
At Tintagil is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1918 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Sara Teasdale
- Date: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Symbolism, Narrative Poetry, Historical Poetry
- Length: 147 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for At Tintagil by Sara Teasdale
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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