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The Long Queen. By Jean- L ouis , Anthony and Rachel. Activity. Annotation . 1 st Stanza. ‘The long queen couldn’t die’ She is the longest reigning queen, which makes it seem as she can’t die. (hyperbole) ‘Young when she bowed her head’
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The Long Queen By Jean-Louis , Anthony and Rachel
1st Stanza • ‘The long queen couldn’t die’ • She is the longest reigning queen, which makes it seem as she can’t die. (hyperbole) • ‘Young when she bowed her head’ • Bowed her head is referring to her coronation. She had to take on the responsibilities of her father • ‘Long live the queen’ • Common phrase synonymous with referring to the reigning monarch • Also a term that has been around for many years reflecting the title, ‘Long Queen’
2nd Stanza • ‘women, girls, spinsters and hags, matrons, wet nurses, witches widows, wives…’ • Implication that the lone queen is goddess to all women. • Also in the form of a list, therefore more people not mentioned can be included • ‘mothers of all these’ • Gives the idea that the woman is all-loving and compassionate. • Willing to serve and personally care for all women • ‘no girl born wasn’t the long queen’s always child’ • Specific to females creating a matriarchal element to the poem
3rd Stanza • ‘Unseen, she ruled and reigned’ • Gives a sense omnipotence, and holy powers. • ‘Disguised, sorting the good from the bad’ • Juxtaposes she ruled and reigned. • ‘All hail to the queen’ • Continues the common trend of each stanza ending with a praise.
4th Stanza • ‘No girl’ • Repetition from the second stanza suggests continuity, reflecting the title of the poem and the endurance of the queen's rule. • Motherhood is constantly insinuated because the term girl is always used as opposed to the word female or woman.
5th Stanza • ‘Blood’ • Used for imagery within this stanza: • Used to signify something regal • Also used as a colour which is a connotation of menstruation, danger and passion • blood is used to show a girls coming of age • Vaguely relates to idea of Christian teachings • ‘Tears’ • The inclusion of 'tears' implies that suffering is a universal female experience.
6th Stanza • 'sore flowers‘ • References a female’s genitalia after childbirth. Flowers is the traditional term for genitalia • 'the room screamed scarlet‘ • Personification of a room. Emphasizes pain • 'godmother, aunt, teacher, teller of tall tales‘ • All categorize as mentor figures contrasting the earlier mention of women
7th stanza • ‘Light music of girls’ • The metaphor of music is employed to depict how the queen is 'tuned' to the world of women
Context • This poem links the queen Elizabeth I as she ruled alone from 1558 to 1603. Her reign was marked by great advances in trade, exploration and literature. • Also in the first stanza, it describes a queen who considers several suitors but does not marry any of them.
summary • The long queen is an extended metaphor to Elizabeth I but can also be linked to our reigning monarch.