Christina Rossetti
Full Name and Common Aliases
Christina Georgina Rossetti, often referred to simply as Christina Rossetti, was a prominent English poet known for her vivid and emotive verse. She was also affectionately called "Christina" by her family and friends.
Birth and Death Dates
Christina Rossetti was born on December 5, 1830, and passed away on December 29, 1894.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Christina Rossetti was an English poet and writer. She is celebrated for her contributions to Victorian poetry and is often regarded as one of the most important female poets of the 19th century.
Early Life and Background
Christina Rossetti was born in London, England, into a family that was both intellectually and artistically inclined. Her father, Gabriele Rossetti, was an Italian poet and political exile, while her mother, Frances Polidori, was the sister of John William Polidori, a notable writer. Christina was the youngest of four children, all of whom were encouraged to pursue artistic and literary interests. Her siblings included the famous Pre-Raphaelite painter and poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who would later influence her work.
Christina's early life was marked by a strong religious upbringing, which would deeply influence her poetry. She was educated at home by her mother and showed an early talent for writing. By the age of 12, she had already begun composing her own poems. However, her teenage years were marred by health issues and bouts of depression, which would continue to affect her throughout her life.
Major Accomplishments
Christina Rossetti's literary career began in earnest in the 1850s when she started publishing her poems in various magazines under the pseudonym "Ellen Alleyne." Her first collection of poetry, "Goblin Market and Other Poems," was published in 1862 and received critical acclaim. The collection established her as a significant voice in Victorian poetry and showcased her ability to blend fantasy with deep emotional and spiritual themes.
Throughout her career, Rossetti published several more collections, including "The Prince's Progress and Other Poems" (1866) and "A Pageant and Other Poems" (1881). Her work was characterized by its lyrical beauty, exploration of themes such as love, faith, and mortality, and its use of vivid imagery and symbolism.
Notable Works or Actions
Christina Rossetti is best known for her poem "Goblin Market," a narrative piece that explores themes of temptation, sacrifice, and redemption through the story of two sisters and their encounter with goblin merchants. The poem's rich imagery and rhythmic language have made it a favorite among readers and scholars alike.
Another notable work is "In the Bleak Midwinter," a Christmas carol that has been set to music by several composers and remains a staple of holiday choral repertoires. Her poem "Remember" is also widely anthologized and admired for its poignant meditation on love and memory.
Impact and Legacy
Christina Rossetti's impact on literature extends beyond her own time. Her work has been praised for its emotional depth, technical skill, and exploration of complex themes. She is often compared to other great Victorian poets such as Alfred Lord Tennyson and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, yet her unique voice and perspective set her apart.
Rossetti's influence can be seen in the works of later poets and writers, particularly those who explore themes of gender, spirituality, and the human condition. Her poetry has been the subject of extensive scholarly analysis, and her life and work continue to inspire new generations of readers and writers.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Christina Rossetti is widely quoted and remembered for her ability to capture the intricacies of human emotion and experience in her poetry. Her work resonates with readers for its exploration of universal themes such as love, loss, and faith. The vivid imagery and musicality of her verse make her poems memorable and impactful.
Moreover, Rossetti's life and work have become emblematic of the challenges faced by women writers in the Victorian era. Her ability to navigate the constraints of her time while producing a body of work that remains relevant and powerful is a testament to her talent and determination. As a result, Christina Rossetti is celebrated not only for her literary contributions but also for her role as a pioneering female voice in the world of poetry.
Quotes by Christina Rossetti
Christina Rossetti's insights on:
Does the road wind up-hill all the way? / Yes, to the very end. / Will the day's journey take the whole long day? / From morn to night, my friend.
Remember me when I am gone away, / Gone far away into the silent land. / Better by far you should forget and smile / Than you should remember and be sad.
Christmas hath a beauty / Lovelier than the world can show: / For Christmas bringeth Jesus, / Brought for us so low.
Beautiful, delightful, noble, memorable, as is the world you and yours frequent, I yet am well content in my shady crevice.
Open wide the window of our spirits and fill us full of light; open wide the door of our hearts, that we may receive and entertain Thee with all our powers of adoration and love.
June the month of months / Flowers and fruitage brings too, / When green trees spread shadiest boughs, / When each wild bird sings too.
For there is no friend like a sister / In calm or stormy weather; / To cheer one on the tedious way, / To fetch one if one goes astray, / To lift one if one totters down, / To strengthen whilst one stands.
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Hope is like a harebell, trembling from its birth, Love is like a rose, the joy of all the earth, Faith is like a lily, lifted high and white, Love is like a lovely rose, the world’s delight. Harebells and sweet lilies show a thornless growth, But the rose with all its thorns excels them both.