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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
Denise Levertov’s poem "The Ache of Marriage" explores the complex and often painful dimensions of marital relationships. Through concise and evocative imagery, Levertov delves into the physical and emotional burdens that come with deep intimacy, while also highlighting the inextricable bond between partners as they navigate these challenges together. The poem opens with a stark declaration: "The ache of marriage:" This line sets the tone for the entire poem, immediately presenting marriage as something that involves a profound and pervasive sense of discomfort or pain. The use of "ache" suggests a persistent, dull pain that is both physical and emotional. Levertov continues by describing how this ache manifests in the body: "thigh and tongue, beloved, / are heavy with it, / it throbs in the teeth." These lines vividly depict the physicality of the marital ache, affecting intimate parts of the body like the thigh and tongue, and extending even to the teeth. The repetition of "beloved" underscores the intimacy of the relationship while simultaneously emphasizing the shared burden. The poem then shifts to the emotional aspect of marriage: "We look for communion / and are turned away, beloved, / each and each." Here, Levertov highlights the desire for deep connection and understanding within the marriage, and the frequent reality of feeling rejected or misunderstood. The phrase "each and each" reinforces the individuality within the partnership, suggesting that both partners experience this sense of alienation. Levertov uses the metaphor of the biblical leviathan to convey the overwhelming nature of marital struggles: "It is leviathan and we / in its belly / looking for joy, some joy / not to be known outside it." The leviathan, a monstrous sea creature, represents the enormity and inescapability of the marital ache. The imagery of being in its belly conveys a sense of entrapment and struggle, but also the hope of finding a unique joy that can only be discovered within the confines of the relationship. The poem concludes with the image of Noah's ark: "two by two in the ark of / the ache of it." This reference to the biblical story of Noah's ark emphasizes the idea of enduring the marital journey together, despite the inherent challenges. The ark symbolizes both protection and confinement, mirroring the dual nature of marriage as a source of safety and hardship. The repetition of "the ache of it" in the final line reinforces the central theme of the poem, leaving the reader with a poignant sense of the persistent, shared pain that defines the marital bond. "The Ache of Marriage" by Denise Levertov is a powerful exploration of the complexities and difficulties inherent in marital relationships. Through her use of vivid imagery and metaphor, Levertov captures the physical and emotional burdens that come with intimacy, while also emphasizing the resilience and hope that partners find within the shared experience of marriage. The poem invites readers to reflect on the nature of their own relationships and the ways in which they navigate the joys and sorrows of deep connection.
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