Proserpine (Rossetti)

"Proserpine" is a sonnet written by the Pre-Raphaelite poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti, first published in 1866 as part of his series of sonnets titled "Sonnets for Pictures." The poem is inspired by Rossetti's own painting of the same name, "Proserpine" (also known as "Persephone"), which depicts the Roman goddess Proserpine (Persephone in Greek mythology) in the underworld.

The sonnet explores themes of isolation, captivity, and the lingering memory of a lost paradise. Proserpine, abducted by Hades (Pluto), is forced to live in the underworld as his queen. Rossetti's poem focuses on her yearning for her former life and her continued connection to the upper world despite her physical and emotional imprisonment.

Key elements of the sonnet include:

• The Pomegranate: Proserpine is depicted holding a pomegranate, a potent symbol of her captivity. Having eaten the fruit of the underworld, she is bound to remain there for a portion of each year. This symbolizes the irreversible consequences of actions and the loss of innocence.

• Memory and Loss: The poem emphasizes Proserpine's constant recollection of her past life, particularly the light and beauty of the upper world. This creates a sense of longing and regret that permeates the work.

• Isolation and Resignation: Proserpine's physical and emotional isolation in the underworld are central to the poem. While she is a queen, she remains a prisoner, trapped in a realm devoid of joy and connection to her former life. She accepts her fate with a degree of resignation.

Rossetti's "Proserpine" is a powerful exploration of themes of loss, memory, and captivity, using the mythological figure of Proserpine as a vehicle for exploring the complexities of human emotion and the enduring power of the past. The poem is intricately linked to his painting, and the two works together offer a rich and layered interpretation of the Proserpine myth.