Seduction and Lust in Christina Rossetti’s Goblin Market Essay

Seduction and Lust in Christina Rossettis imp securities industry A seemingly innocent verse intimately two sisters encounters with goblin men, Christina Rossettis Goblin Market is a account of seduction and lust. Behind the lattice of the classic mortal entrapment and escapement from f portyland, Goblin Market explores Lauras zest for heterosexual knowledge, the goblin mens desire for mortal flesh, and Laura and Lizzies desire for homosexual eroticism. Goblin men take in the sisters Laura and Lizzie, innocent virgins who were taught not to peep at goblin men (Rossetti, l. 49). predominantly iambic tetrametric, Goblin Market follows a convoluted rhyming intent and includes creationy enjambments, repetitions, and dialogues. This experimental form readily lends itself to natural storytelling and mirrors the experimentation of Laura and Lizzie. Laura, much curious than her sister, chooses to linger/Wondering at each merchant man (ll. 69-70). This cur iosity and longing is expressed through Rossettis use of vocabulary and rhyme in describing the girls clasping arms and cautioning lips,/With tingling cheeks and finger tips (ll. 38-39 italics mine). Laura is tempted to taste the risque grapes the goblins peddle, though she acknowledges that the fruits hungry thirsty roots grow on outsider soils (l. 45). Lauras repetition of Look, Lizzie, look, Lizzie betrays her restless longings. The consecutive commencements with the word one and the vowel rhyme on the vowel O in the lines describing the goblins set the tone of sine qua non One hauls a basket,/One bears a plate,/One lugs a favorable dish/Of many pounds weight (ll. 54-59). This technique, like a refrain, punctuates the entire poem and Laura, wi... ...nd dew-wet grass (ll. 532-533). As with the girls experiences with the goblin men, this homoerotic experience is like a dream (l. 537). Laura and Lizzie, by sharing of themselves, discover that there is no paladin like a sister (l. 562). Their love, redeeming and life giving, surpasses the seductive only bitter fruits of the goblin men.Christina Rossettis Goblin Market, though punctuated with an air of innocence, is imbued with provocative imageries and rhymes. It encapsulates Lauras desperate yearnings for the goblins fruits, the goblins lascivious desire to entrap uncorrupted mortals, and Laura and Lizzies feverish love that is neither vulgar nor ephemeral. Works Cited Rossetti, Christina. Goblin Market. Illustrated by Laurence Housman. 1893. New York Dover, 1983. Work ConsultedBellas, Ralph A. Christina Rossetti. Boston Twayne, 1977.