Maude Clare

Question 1

“His bride was like a village maid,
Maude Clare was like a queen.”

Answer 1

Maude Clare:
- Contrasting images of a maid and a queen
- Rossetti is not opposing Nell
- Distorted sisterhood relationship
- Comparison between two young women, highlights the contrast between a lower and upper class woman

Question 2

“My lord gazed long on pale Maude Clare
Or ever he kissed the bride.”

Answer 2

Maude Clare:
- Instead of staring at his bride, he is staring at Maude Clare
- This is because she may be his true love, or it may be guilt
- The reason he chose Nell over Maude Clare is ambiguous
- The lust for his past lover is consistent
- Tactile image of intimacy

Question 3

"”Lady” he said, - “Maude Clare,” he said -
“Maude Clare,” - and hid his face.”

Answer 3

Maude Clare:
- Ceasura and dashes produce a choppy rhythm and lack of fluency in the Lord’s speech
- Presents the Lord as weak and inferior, unable to correctly address his former lover
- Contrasts with Nell who directly addresses Maude Clare, indicates female empowerment

Question 4

“For he’s my lord for better and worse,
And him I love Maude Clare.”

Answer 4

Maude Clare:
- Oxymoron, Nell is able to reply to Maude Clare, proving her as an empowered female character
- Nell is proud to be a part of Thomas’ life, challenges Maude Clare
- Although she is part of a patriarchal relationship, Rossetti is not supporting the patriarchy

Question 5

“I’ll love him till he loves me best,
Me best of all Maude Clare.”

Answer 5

Maude Clare:
- Nell acknowledges that she may not be loved as much as Maude Clare
- However, she displays female empowerment by standing by Thomas, proud to be a part of his life
- Last line is the title of the poem, displays the consistent theme of Thomas’ yearning for a relationship with Maude Clare that she rejects