Christabel, the main character in the poem "Christabel," is an innocent and devout young woman who rescues Geraldine. Christabel is a lovely, innocent young woman who goes out into the woods one spooky night at midnight to pray. Yet although the girl is performing an action here, and elsewhere in the poem, she does not really speak except for about two stanzas when she is talking to Porphyro. (Keats 23). But at the same time that she is crying, “she seems to smile/As infants at a sudden light!” (Coleridge 10). "Christabel" (Part I, 1797; Part II, 1800; "The Conclusion to Part II," 1801), Read the Study Guide for Coleridge’s Poems…, The Symbolic Themes of Mystery and the Supernatural in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Byron, Keats and Coleridge: The Poetic Masters of the Romantic Period, The Union of Opposing Elements: Poems by Wordsworth and Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner - Part II, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner - Part III, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner - Part IV, View Wikipedia Entries for Coleridge’s Poems…. Would this be considered taking responsibility for what her actions? Despite both being the leading female characters in their respective pieces, Christabel from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Christabel and Madeline from John Keats’ The Eve of St. Agnes have many striking similarities. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Although Madeline is “beset with fears” (Keats 27) as she is running away with Porphyro, she still consents to go with him. Agnes'." It is quite a shock then, to see how these girls behave; often, their behavior could even be called stereotypically male. Christabel is apparently not allowed to look at Geraldine’s body, perhaps in fear of corrupting her innocence. She asks “What if she knew her mother near?/But this she knows, in joys and woes,/For the blue sky bends over all!” (Coleridge 10). Later, when Christabel is taking Geraldine home, Geraldine seems to faint. Retrieved from http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/a?id=157, Saminsky, Alina. These mixed messages also occur in the poem “The Eve of St. Agnes.” The main female character, Madeline, is depicted as a good, innocent girl. The newsletter highlights recent selections from the journal and useful tips from our blog. Later, the girls go to see Sir Leoline and Bard Bracy. This piece of imagery has both the positive aspect of the girl as the dove, and the negative aspect of the dove being possessed by evil. It is not intended to provide medical or other professional advice. Although she does not do it intentionally, Christabel is already crossing some gender boundaries. As Christabel is the carrier, she takes on the role of the man. She represents purity at risk in the face of deceitful beauty and sinful lust. The reader is first introduced to Christabel as she is sneaking out of the castle. And diamonded with panes of quaint device. She portrays herself as a victim of male violence, but in fact performs her own acts of violence against the innocent soul of Christabel. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Christabel. Why would a young woman who presumably has a church in her home go outside to pray? • Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. Learn more | Blog | Submit. Later, as Madeline is praying on page 24, she is described as “a saint… a splendid angel… so pure a thing, so free from mortal taint” (Keats 24). Christabel’s behavior throughout the poem is far from innocent, and at times could be called inappropriate. The Question and Answer section for Coleridge’s Poems is a great There are many instances when Christabel is described as good. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. But the reader cannot be sure exactly what happens and how it happens. ISSN: 2153-5760. Agnes'." In the canceled stanza that Keats was forced to take out, he describes these dreams as consisting of “More pleasures follow’d in a dizzy stream” (Keats). What kind of dreams is Madeline hoping to have? The reader does know, nevertheless, that Madeline thinks Porphyro will leave her: “Porphyro will leave me here to fade and pine.--/’Cruel! As are the tiger-moth’s deep-damask’d wings; And in the midst, ‘mong thousand heraldries. Save Citation » (Works with EndNote, ProCite, & Reference Manager), Saminsky, A.