Goblin Market (Masterplots II: Poetry Series)
At a glance:
- Author: Christina Rossetti
- First Published: 1862
- Type of Work: Narrative
- Genres: Poetry, Allegory, Children’s literature, Narrative poetry
- Subjects: Folkloric or magical people, Magic or magicians, Love or romance, Sex or sexuality, Marriage, Religion, Christianity, Sisters, Death or dying, Food, Jesus Christ, Edible plants, Sacrifice, Fruit, Fairy tales, Temptation, Goblins
The Poem
“Goblin Market” is Christina Rossetti’s most famous poem. In its first stanza, goblins offer fruit for sale. Goblins are traditionally evil creatures who entice human beings into evil. In stanza 2, the sisters Laura and Lizzie hear goblin cries. Lizzie warns Laura that they are not to look, but Laura does not pay heed. Lizzie, however, puts a finger in each ear, perhaps as much to drown out her sister’s overtures as to stifle the goblin voices. To be noted here is Lizzie’s refusal to allow herself to be overcome carnally. Laura, on the other hand, allows...
[The entire page is 1963 words long]
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