The House of Life 19 Silent Noon Analysis - Literary devices and Poetic devices

Your hands lie open in the long fresh grass, and

The fingers point like rosy blooms:

Your eyes smile peace. The pasture gleams and glooms

’Neath billowing skies that scatter and amass.

All around our nest, far as the eye can pass,

Are golden kingcup fields with silver edge

Where the cow parsley skirts the hawthorn hedge.

’Tis visible silence, still as the hour glass.

Deep in the sun‑searched growths the dragonfly

Hangs like a blue thread loosened from the sky:

So this winged hour is dropped to us from above.

We clasped our hearts, for deathless dower,

This close companioned inarticulate hour

When twofold silence was the song of love.

Unlocking the Beauty of “The House of Life 19 Silent Noon”

Welcome, fellow explorers of poetry, to a journey into one of Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s most exquisite sonnets, “The House of Life 19 Silent Noon.” This poem, a jewel within his larger collection The House of Life, invites readers into a moment of profound peace and intimate connection, demonstrating the power of unspoken understanding. Prepare to discover the layers of meaning, the masterful use of language, and the enduring appeal of this Victorian masterpiece.

“Silent Noon” Summary and Core Ideas

“The House of Life 19 Silent Noon” is a fourteen‑line poem that beautifully captures a singular moment of perfect tranquility shared between two lovers in a lush, sun‑drenched natural setting. The poem opens with a vivid description of the beloved’s serene presence amidst a pastoral landscape, where every detail, from the grass to the sky, contributes to an atmosphere of profound stillness. As the poem progresses, it delves into the deeper significance of this shared experience, revealing that the silence between the lovers is not an absence of communication, but rather its most profound form. It is an “inarticulate hour” where hearts are clasped, and “twofold silence” becomes the very “song of love.”

Central Idea of “Silent Noon”

The core message of “Silent Noon” revolves around the idea that true intimacy and deep connection can transcend the need for verbal communication. Rossetti suggests that in moments of shared silence, a more profound understanding and love can flourish. This “silent noon” represents a sacred, timeless space where the lovers are perfectly attuned to each other and to the natural world around them, finding a “deathless dower” in their quiet companionship. The poem elevates silence from a mere lack of sound to a powerful, active force that fosters love and spiritual union.

Noteworthy Aspects of “Silent Noon”

A Moment Frozen in Time: The poem meticulously details a single, perfect moment, making it feel eternal and precious. This focus on a specific, idyllic instant is a hallmark of Romantic and Pre‑Raphaelite sensibilities.
Nature as a Mirror: The natural world in the poem is not merely a backdrop but an active participant, reflecting and enhancing the lovers’ inner peace and connection. The stillness of nature mirrors the stillness of their hearts.
The Power of Unspoken Love: “Silent Noon” challenges the conventional notion that love must be expressed through words. Instead, it celebrates a form of love so deep that it communicates through shared presence, sensory experience, and mutual understanding.
Part of a Larger Cycle: As Sonnet 19 from The House of Life, it contributes to Rossetti’s exploration of love, memory, and art, often reflecting on the complexities of human relationships and the passage of time.

In‑Depth Analysis of “Silent Noon”: Literary Devices

Rossetti’s masterful use of literary devices is central to the poem’s evocative power, creating a rich sensory experience and deepening its thematic resonance. Let us explore some key techniques.

Imagery: Painting a Picture with Words

The poem is a feast for the senses, primarily sight, immersing the reader in its idyllic setting. Rossetti uses vivid descriptions to create a tangible world of beauty and peace.

Visual Imagery:

Your hands lie open in the long fresh grass, and
The fingers point like rosy blooms:

This opening immediately establishes a scene of natural beauty and gentle repose, comparing the beloved’s fingers to delicate flowers. The “long fresh grass” adds to the sense of lushness and comfort.

Are golden kingcup fields with silver edge
Where the cow parsley skirts the hawthorn hedge.

Here, the specific colors and textures of the landscape are brought to life, creating a vibrant yet serene picture. The “golden” kingcups and “silver edge” suggest a precious, almost ethereal quality to the scene.
Sensory Details: While primarily visual, the poem also hints at other senses, contributing to the overall atmosphere.

’Tis visible silence, still as the hour glass.

This line is a striking example of synesthesia, where silence, an auditory concept, is described as “visible.” This blurs the lines between senses, emphasizing the profound and almost tangible quality of the stillness.

Metaphor and Simile: Drawing Connections

Rossetti employs comparisons to illuminate abstract ideas and create memorable images.

Simile:

The fingers point like rosy blooms:

This simile compares the beloved’s fingers to “rosy blooms,” suggesting delicacy, beauty, and a natural, organic grace.

Hangs like a blue thread loosened from the sky:

The dragonfly is likened to a “blue thread loosened from the sky.” This simile conveys its delicate, almost ethereal presence, suggesting it is a fleeting, precious detail in the vastness of nature, momentarily detached from its origin.
Metaphor:

So this winged hour is dropped to us from above.

The “hour” itself is personified and metaphorically described as “winged” and “dropped…from above.” This suggests that the moment is a divine gift, fleeting yet precious, emphasizing its sacred and transient nature.

When twofold silence was the song of love.

Here, silence is directly equated with “the song of love.” This powerful metaphor redefines silence not as an absence, but as a rich, harmonious form of communication, a melody understood by the heart.

Symbolism: Deeper Meanings

Certain elements within the poem carry symbolic weight, enriching its themes.

Silence: This is perhaps the most central symbol. It represents profound intimacy, spiritual communion, and a sanctuary from the clamor of the world. It is the medium through which true love is expressed and understood.

’Tis visible silence, still as the hour glass.

The “visible silence” is not empty but full, a testament to the depth of connection.

When twofold silence was the song of love.

The “twofold silence” implies the shared quietude of both lovers, merging into a single, harmonious expression of affection.
Nature: The pastoral setting symbolizes purity, peace, and an idealized state of being. It is a haven where love can thrive undisturbed.

All around our nest, far as the eye can pass,

The “nest” symbolizes a safe, intimate, and nurturing space for the lovers, protected within the embrace of nature.
The Dragonfly: This delicate creature, “a blue thread loosened from the sky,” symbolizes the transient beauty of the moment and perhaps the fleeting nature of life itself. Its momentary suspension highlights the preciousness of the “winged hour.”

Sound Devices: The Music of the Poem

Rossetti masterfully uses sound to enhance the poem’s musicality and reinforce its themes of tranquility and connection.

Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds creates emphasis and rhythm.

The pasture gleams and glooms

The repetition of the “g” sound creates a gentle, almost lulling effect, mirroring the soft movement of the clouds.

Deep in the sun‑searched growths the dragonfly

The repeated “s” sound in “sun‑searched” and “growths” contributes to the poem’s hushed, murmuring quality.
Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words adds to the poem’s lyrical flow.

Your hands lie open in the long fresh grass, and

The long “a” sound in “hands,” “grass,” and “and” creates a sense of breadth and openness, reflecting the expansive landscape.
Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words, often with different vowel sounds, contributes to the poem’s texture.

’Tis visible silence, still as the hour glass.

The repeated “s” sound in “visible,” “silence,” and “still” creates a sibilant, whispering effect, perfectly embodying the theme of quietude.

Enjambment: Flow and Continuity

Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, creates a sense of unbroken flow, mirroring the seamless connection between the lovers and the natural world.

The pasture gleams and glooms
’Neath billowing skies that scatter and amass.

Here, the description of the pasture flows directly into the description of the skies, creating a continuous visual and thematic link. This technique prevents the poem from feeling choppy, instead fostering a smooth, meditative rhythm.

In‑Depth Analysis of “Silent Noon”: Poetic Devices and Structure

Beyond individual literary devices, the poem’s overall structure, form, and language choices contribute significantly to its impact.

Form and Structure: A Rossettian Sonnet

“Silent Noon” is a sonnet, a fourteen‑line lyrical poem, but it deviates from strict traditional forms, showcasing Rossetti’s individual poetic voice.

Sonnet Length: The poem adheres to the fourteen‑line structure characteristic of a sonnet, allowing for the concise development of a single, profound idea.
Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme is unique: ABBA ACCA DDEFFE. This is a departure from both the Petrarchan (ABBA ABBA CDECDE) and Shakespearean (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) sonnet forms. Rossetti often adapted traditional forms to suit his thematic needs, and this particular scheme contributes to the poem’s distinctive musicality and flow, avoiding the more rigid feel of conventional sonnets.
Octave and Sestet: Like a Petrarchan sonnet, it can be broadly divided into an octave (the first eight lines) and a sestet (the final six lines). The octave typically presents a situation or question, while the sestet offers a resolution or reflection. In “Silent Noon,” the octave establishes the idyllic scene and the lovers’ peaceful presence, while the sestet shifts to a deeper contemplation of the meaning of their shared silence and love.
Meter: The poem is written predominantly in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern consisting of ten syllables per line, alternating unstressed and stressed syllables (da‑DUM da‑DUM da‑DUM da‑DUM da‑DUM). This meter creates a natural, conversational yet elevated rhythm, suitable for the poem’s contemplative tone.

Your hands | lie o | pen in | the long | fresh grass, and

The consistent meter provides a steady, almost heartbeat‑like rhythm that underpins the poem’s sense of calm and stability.

Diction and Tone: Language of Reverence

Diction: Rossetti’s word choice is precise and often elevated, reflecting the aesthetic sensibilities of the Pre‑Raphaelite Brotherhood. Words like “gleams,” “glooms,” “billowing,” “amass,” “dower,” and “inarticulate” contribute to a rich, almost painterly vocabulary. The language is carefully selected to evoke beauty, tranquility, and a sense of the sacred.
Tone: The tone is one of profound reverence, quiet joy, and deep contemplation. There is a sense of awe for both the natural world and the intimate connection shared between the lovers. The poem is imbued with a peaceful, almost spiritual serenity, inviting the reader to share in this moment of perfect harmony.

Key Themes in “Silent Noon”

Beyond its surface beauty, “Silent Noon” explores several enduring themes.

The Power of Nature: Nature is presented as a restorative and sacred space, a haven where human emotions can find their purest expression. The detailed descriptions of the landscape emphasize its role in fostering peace and intimacy.
Intimacy and Connection: The poem celebrates a deep, non‑verbal intimacy between lovers. It suggests that true connection goes beyond words, residing in shared presence, understanding, and the quiet communion of hearts.
The Sacredness of the Moment: “Silent Noon” elevates a single, ordinary moment in time to something extraordinary and eternal. The “winged hour” is a divine gift, emphasizing the importance of being present and cherishing such fleeting instances of perfection.
Love as a Spiritual Union: The poem hints at a love that is not merely physical or emotional, but spiritual. The “deathless dower” and the idea of silence as the “song of love” suggest a profound, enduring bond that transcends the temporal.

A Resonant Passage from “Silent Noon”

The concluding lines of the poem beautifully encapsulate its central message and enduring appeal:

We clasped our hearts, for deathless dower,
This close companioned inarticulate hour
When twofold silence was the song of love.

This powerful excerpt reveals the profound depth of the lovers’ connection. Their “clasped hearts” signify a spiritual union, a “deathless dower” or an eternal gift found in their shared, unspoken understanding. The “inarticulate hour” is not empty but full of meaning, where the “twofold silence” of their combined quietude becomes the most eloquent “song of love.” These lines serve as a timeless testament to the beauty and power of unspoken affection, reminding us that sometimes, the deepest connections are felt, not spoken.

Conclusion: The Enduring Echo of “Silent Noon”

“The House of Life 19 Silent Noon” stands as a testament to Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s poetic genius, offering a serene and profound meditation on love, nature, and the power of silence. Through its rich imagery, unique sonnet form, and evocative language, the poem invites us to slow down, appreciate the beauty of the natural world, and recognize the deep, unspoken connections that enrich our lives. It is a poem that continues to resonate, reminding us that in a world often filled with noise, true understanding and love can often be found in the most beautiful of silences.