The Birth Of Love Poem by William Wordsworth

The Birth Of Love Poem by William Wordsworth is a beautifully crafted allegory that explores the origins and nature of love through a mythical lens. Using classical imagery and divine personifications, Wordsworth presents Love as a celestial child whose fate is determined by the virtues and vices of the gods. The poem delves into the struggles of nurturing Love and the dangers of false allurements, offering profound insights into human emotions and desires.

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The Birth Of Love Poem by William Wordsworth

Here is the wide sketch depicting the mythological scene of the birth of Love, with Venus, Hope, and the other virtues.

The Birth Of Love Poem

When Love was born of heavenly line,
What dire intrigues disturbed Cythera’s joy!
Till Venus cried, ‘A mother’s heart is mine;
None but myself shall nurse my boy,’

But, infant as he was, the child
In that divine embrace enchanted lay;
And, by the beauty of the vase beguiled,
Forgot the beverage- and pined away.

‘And must my offspring languish in my sight? ‘
(Alive to all a mother’s pain,
The Queen of Beauty thus her court addressed)
‘No: Let the most discreet of all my train
Receive him to her breast:
Think all, he is the God of young delight.’

Then TENDERNESS with CANDOUR joined,
And GAIETY the charming office sought;
Nor even DELICACY stayed behind:
But none of those fair Graces brought

Wherewith to nurse the child- and still he pined.
Some fond hearts to COMPLIANCE seemed inclined;
But she had surely spoiled the boy:
And sad experience forbade a thought
On the wild Goddess of VOLUPTUOUS JOY.

Long undecided lay th’ important choice,
Till of the beauteous court, at length, a voice
Pronounced the name of HOPE:- The conscious child
Stretched forth his little arms, and smiled.

‘Tis said ENJOYMENT (who averred
The charge belonged to her alone)
Jealous that HOPE had been preferred
Laid snares to make the babe her own.

Of INNOCENCE the garb she took,
The blushing mien and downcast look;
And came her services to proffer:
And HOPE (what has not Hope believed!)
By that seducing air deceived,
Accepted of the offer.

It happened that, to sleep inclined,
Deluded HOPE: for one short hour
To that false INNOCENCE’S power
Her little charge consigned.

The Goddess then her lap with sweetmeats filled
And gave, in handfuls gave, the treacherous store:
A wild delirium first the infant thrilled;
But soon upon her breast he sunk- to wake no more.
_{~ The Birth Of Love Poem by William Wordsworth}

The Birth Of Love Poem Meaning

The poem symbolizes the birth and development of love, portraying it as an innocent yet delicate force that needs proper nourishment. Venus, the goddess of beauty and love, initially claims the role of nurturing the child but realizes that love requires more than mere beauty to survive. Various qualities—Tenderness, Candour, Gaiety, and even Voluptuous Joy—attempt to nurture the child, but they all fail to provide what Love truly needs. Ultimately, Hope is chosen as Love’s rightful guardian, suggesting that love is sustained by optimism and anticipation.

However, the poem takes a tragic turn when Enjoyment, envious of Hope’s role, deceives her by disguising herself as Innocence. Hope, trusting in this false innocence, briefly entrusts Love to her. Under the influence of material pleasures (symbolized by sweetmeats), Love experiences a moment of intense excitement but ultimately perishes, illustrating the idea that love, when indulged in excess or guided by deceitful pleasures, loses its essence.

The Birth Of Love Poem Summary

The poem begins with the birth of Love, an event that disrupts the harmony of the divine court. Venus, as a loving mother, claims the responsibility of raising her child but soon realizes that beauty alone cannot sustain love. A search begins for the best guardian, with various virtues offering themselves, but none are suitable. Eventually, Hope is chosen, as Love responds to her with joy.

However, Enjoyment, feeling envious, deceives Hope by disguising herself as Innocence. Hope, believing in her sincerity, hands Love over for a short while. Taking advantage of this trust, Enjoyment feeds Love with excessive pleasures, leading to a moment of wild delight followed by Love’s demise. The poem ends on a tragic note, reinforcing the idea that indulgence without true substance can destroy the purity of love.

The Birth Of Love Poem Analysis

Wordsworth employs classical mythology to present a philosophical meditation on love. The personification of emotions and virtues allows him to explore the complexities of love’s nature. Venus represents maternal care and beauty, but she alone is not enough to nurture love. The failure of other virtues—Tenderness, Candour, Gaiety, and Delicacy—suggests that while these qualities are valuable, they cannot sustain love on their own.

Hope emerges as the most fitting guardian, indicating that love thrives on anticipation and faith in the future. However, the introduction of Enjoyment as a deceptive force highlights the vulnerability of love. Disguised as Innocence, Enjoyment misleads Hope, symbolizing how love can be corrupted by pleasure and indulgence when mistaken for true fulfillment. The poem’s tragic ending serves as a warning: love, if left in the hands of unchecked desires, may lose its true essence.

Through elegant poetic language and allegorical storytelling, The Birth of Love provides a timeless reflection on the delicate balance required to sustain love and the dangers of allowing transient pleasures to define it.