The Lake. To--

I understand the subject in this poem is commiting suicide, but does it state a reason for his actions? Is it just lonliness or was this a special spot for him and his lover? Also, what does he mean when he writes 'a feeling not jewelled mine could teach or bribe me to define- Nor Love-although the love were thine.' I understand this feeling he has is unexplainable, but I don't understand that last line about the love. Can someone help me?

-- Anonymous, January 27, 2004

Answers

The best way, I think, to rigthly understand what Poe had in mind when composing the lines you are quoting, is probably to go to his 1831 new version of "Tamerlane" (available on line at the wonderful site www.eapoe.org), wherein stanza VIII almost repeated them all, as well as nearly the entire poem "The Lake" itself, indeed, (with a few variants), giving thus the exact original meaning Poe was intending to convey, and with a relevant and enlightening context. Good luck, Yours sincerely, Raven's Shade (Belgium).

-- Anonymous, January 28, 2004

whats suicide? Is it like doing yourself in?

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2004