Ernest Dowson's 1894 poem 'Non sum qualis eram bonae sub regno Cynarae' delves into unrequited love and the persistence of memory. A key work in the Decadent movement, it captures the speaker's emotional turmoil and enduring love for Cynara, despite the passage of time and the pain of separation. The poem's use of literary techniques and evocative imagery emphasizes the haunting power of past affections and the struggle to move forward.
Show More
The speaker's enduring love for Cynara despite their separation
Unrequited Love
The speaker's unfulfilled longing for Cynara
Inescapable Grip of Memory
The speaker's struggle with the relentless cycle of remembrance and desire
The impact of past memories on the speaker's present emotions
The use of ABABCC rhyme scheme and iambic pentameter in the poem
Enjambment
The use of enjambment to convey the ceaseless nature of the speaker's love
Repetition
The strategic use of repetition to emphasize the poem's central themes and the speaker's thoughts of Cynara
The contrast between the fleeting nature of the speaker's current affairs and the deep, lasting connection he felt with Cynara
The speaker's attachment to Cynara is highlighted by the presence of others
The complex mixture of melancholy, nostalgia, and frustration in the poem, reflecting the speaker's struggle with the relentless cycle of remembrance and desire
The poem's exploration of beauty, tragedy, and pleasure aligns with the themes of the Decadent movement
The poem's emotional depth and Dowson's command of language have earned it recognition and admiration from contemporaries like Oscar Wilde
The enduring significance of "Non sum qualis eram bonae sub regno Cynarae" as a commentary on love and the human psyche
00
Poem's Latin Title Origin
Title from Horace, implies nostalgia and change in the speaker.
01
Decadent Movement Influence
Dowson, a Decadent poet, infuses themes of decline and desire.
02
Significance of Cynara
Cynara symbolizes an unattainable past and lost love, haunting the speaker.
