Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Linda Pastan's poem "Elizabethan" offers a rich and nuanced portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I, exploring her complex identity as a ruler, a woman, and a figure of immense historical significance. Through a blend of historical reflection, vivid imagery, and metaphor, the poem delves into the tensions that defined Elizabeth's reign and legacy, presenting her not just as a monarch, but also as a human being grappling with the demands and expectations of her role.

The poem opens with an epigraph attributed to Elizabeth I, expressing a desire for "gentler passion" and describing herself as "soft and made of melting snow." This contrast between the queen's own self-perception and the historical reality of her reign sets the stage for the exploration of her multifaceted character. While Elizabeth may have wished for gentler passions, her life and rule were defined by strength, resolve, and the harsh realities of power.

Pastan begins by referencing the historical circumstances that shaped Elizabeth's life: "Her sex sent her mother / to the tower, / made her father profligate / with arrogant desires." These lines allude to the execution of Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, and the tumultuous reign of her father, Henry VIII, whose desires and actions reshaped the English monarchy. Elizabeth's birthright was marked by danger and instability, yet she emerged "made of flint / and backbone," a powerful image that captures her resilience and determination.

The poem then shifts to a more intimate portrayal of Elizabeth, imagining her as both a young girl "in a blue velvet bodice, / a white collar and lace"—the "very prototype / of virginal"—and as a woman surrounded by suitors and lovers, "despite suspicions of their motives / staining the sheets." This dual image reflects the tension between the public and private aspects of Elizabeth's life, as well as the expectations placed on her as the "Virgin Queen." The mention of "cups of spicy, / flowery mead" sipped "despite the possibility / of poison" further emphasizes the dangers and complexities of her position, where trust was often a luxury she could not afford.

Pastan introduces the metaphor of the sun, which "must go down each night," to underscore the inevitable limits of Elizabeth's power and the passage of time. Even as a queen, Elizabeth was subject to the same natural laws and vulnerabilities as anyone else. The poem asks whether Elizabeth, despite her formidable accomplishments, could have fully grasped the lasting impact of the "words / of a man she inspired, carved / into the marble of ages," a likely reference to the enduring literary legacy of Shakespeare and others from her era. This reflection invites readers to consider the lasting influence of the arts, which can transcend even the most significant political achievements.

The poem reaches its climax with a meditation on Elizabeth's identity as a "Daughter, Queen, Ruler / of roiling seas, of meandering / rivers and meadows, / of armies of soldiers." These lines celebrate her as the namesake of an age, a figure who commanded not just a nation but an entire era. Yet, Pastan also asks us to consider Elizabeth as a "Poet," turning "to the empty parchment" or, once, "to a windowpane," using "a diamond for quill." This image of Elizabeth as a poet reveals a more personal, introspective side of the queen, suggesting that, in her quieter moments, she may have sought solace or expression through writing.

The final lines of the poem underscore the vulnerability inherent in creativity: "Even a queen is naked / before the naked page, awaiting / not the generous spoils owed to a victor / but the gifts freely given / of a besotted muse." Here, Pastan suggests that the act of writing, whether for a queen or a commoner, requires a certain humility and openness. The "naked page" strips away the trappings of power, leaving only the individual and their thoughts, reliant on inspiration that cannot be commanded.

In "Elizabethan," Linda Pastan presents Queen Elizabeth I as a complex and multifaceted figure, blending historical narrative with imaginative reflection. The poem explores the dualities of Elizabeth's life—her public strength and private vulnerabilities, her political power and her potential for creative expression. Through its evocative language and thoughtful insights, the poem invites readers to consider the enduring legacy of one of history's most iconic figures, not just as a ruler, but as a human being who, like all of us, faced the challenges of life with both courage and contemplation.

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