He Abjures Love by Thomas Hardy
The poem explores the speaker's complex relationship with love, reflecting on a long struggle with its allure and the pain it brings. Initially, the speaker describes a period of devotion to love, which has dominated their thoughts and actions for two decades. This devotion is marked by shame and fear, stemming from the emotional turmoil that love has caused. In the early stages of life, the speaker experienced love as a carefree and innocent force, akin to childhood. However, as they matured, love became a source of suffering, leading to feelings of emptiness and desperation. The speaker acknowledges the seductive nature of love, which repeatedly draws them back despite the anguish it inflicts. The speaker's disillusionment grows as they recognize the futility of romantic pursuits. They express a desire to abandon love altogether, suggesting that the beauty of the world has lost its charm in the wake of their experiences. The speaker's reflections reveal a profound understanding of life's complexities, yet they are left questioning what follows after love fades away. The conclusion hints at a bleak future, characterized by emptiness and resignation, as the speaker contemplates the inevitable end of their emotional journey.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Existentialism · 367 words
First lines
AT last I put off love, For twice ten years The daysman of my thought, And hope, and doing; Being ashamed thereof, And faint of fears And desolations, wrought In his pursuing,
Since first in youthtime those Disquietings That heart-enslavement brings To hale and hoary, Became my housefellows, And, fool and blind, I turned from kith and kind To give him glory.
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He Abjures Love is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Existentialism, Lyric, Philosophical
- Length: 367 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Romanticism — The themes explore love, longing, and emotional depth, characteristic of Romantic literature.
- Existentialism — The contemplation of love's impact on life and the search for meaning reflect existential themes.
- Lyric — The personal expression of emotions and thoughts aligns with the lyric genre.
Tags
love · abjuration · romance · heartbreak · relationships · despair · human emotions · conflict · society · individualism · sacrifice · fate