Carol Ann Duffy’s poem “Anne Hathaway” offers a poignant reimagining of the relationship between William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway. By giving voice to Anne, Duffy delves into themes of love, intimacy, and the intertwining of life and art. This analysis provides a comprehensive summary, explores the central themes, and offers a detailed line-by-line examination of the poem.
Summary of “Anne Hathaway”
“Anne Hathaway” is part of Carol Ann Duffy’s 1999 collection, The World’s Wife, which reinterprets the lives of women associated with famous men. The poem draws inspiration from Shakespeare’s will, where he bequeathed his “second best bed” to Anne. While some have viewed this bequest as a slight, Duffy reimagines it as a testament to their intimate and passionate relationship. Through Anne’s perspective, the poem portrays their bed as a realm of romance and creativity, contrasting it with the mundane “best bed” reserved for guests. The poem culminates with Anne cherishing her memories, holding Shakespeare in the “casket” of her mind, symbolizing her enduring love and the immortality of their shared experiences.Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2Reddit+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
Themes in “Anne Hathaway”
-
Love and Intimacy: The poem celebrates the deep emotional and physical connection between Anne and Shakespeare, portraying their bed as a space of profound intimacy.Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1
-
Art and Creativity: Duffy intertwines the act of lovemaking with the creative process, suggesting that their physical union was as imaginative and dynamic as Shakespeare’s literary works.
-
Memory and Immortality: Anne’s recollections serve as a means of preserving Shakespeare’s essence, highlighting how memories can immortalize loved ones beyond their physical existence.Wikipedia
-
Perception vs. Reality: The poem challenges traditional interpretations of historical facts, offering a fresh perspective on Anne’s significance in Shakespeare’s life.
Line-by-Line Analysis of “Anne Hathaway”
Item I gyve unto my wife my second best bed…
The poem opens with an epigraph from Shakespeare’s will, setting the stage for Anne’s reflective monologue.Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1
The bed we loved in was a spinning world
Anne describes their bed as a “spinning world,” suggesting it was a universe of its own, filled with endless possibilities.Wikipedia+1Reddit+1
of forests, castles, torchlight, clifftops, seas
This imagery evokes the fantastical settings of Shakespeare’s plays, implying their lovemaking was as adventurous and varied as his storytelling.Wikipedia
where he would dive for pearls.
The metaphor of diving for pearls symbolizes exploring deep emotions and uncovering hidden treasures within their relationship.Wikipedia
My lover’s words
Refers to Shakespeare’s eloquence, both in his literary works and in their personal exchanges.
were shooting stars which fell to earth as kisses
This simile equates his poetic expressions to celestial phenomena, emphasizing their beauty and the tangible affection they shared.
on these lips;
Highlights the physical manifestation of their love through kisses.
my body now a softer rhyme
Anne likens her body to a “softer rhyme,” suggesting harmony and a gentle, poetic connection between them.Reddit
to his, now echo, assonance;
“Echo” and “assonance” are poetic devices, reinforcing the idea that their bodies and souls resonated together, creating a melodious union.
his touch
Denotes the physical and emotional impact Shakespeare had on Anne.
a verb dancing in the centre of a noun.
This metaphor playfully describes their lovemaking, with “verb” symbolizing action and “noun” representing substance, illustrating the dynamic nature of their relationship.
Some nights I dreamed he’d written me,
Anne fantasizes about being a creation of Shakespeare’s pen, blurring the lines between muse and lover.Wikipedia
the bed
Serves as the central symbol of their union and shared life.
a page beneath his writer’s hands.
The bed is metaphorically transformed into a blank page, with Shakespeare crafting their story upon it.
Romance and drama played by touch, by scent, by taste.
Their physical interactions are likened to theatrical performances, engaging all senses and filled with passion.
In the other bed, the best, our guests dozed on,
Contrasts their vibrant relationship with the mundane experiences of others, suggesting that true passion resided in their “second best bed.”Wikipedia+2Reddit+2Wikipedia+2
dribbling their prose.
Implies that the guests’ experiences were ordinary and lacked the poetic essence of Anne and Shakespeare’s bond.
My living laughing love –
Anne affectionately recalls Shakespeare as lively and joyous, emphasizing the warmth of their relationship.Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1
I hold him in the casket of my widow’s head
The “casket” metaphor signifies Anne’s mind as a resting place for her cherished memories of Shakespeare, preserving him after death.Reddit+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
as he held me upon that next best bed.
Concludes by reaffirming the significance of the “second best bed,” symbolizing their enduring love and shared experiences.
Carol Ann Duffy’s “Anne Hathaway” masterfully reimagines the relationship between Shakespeare and his wife, transforming a seemingly mundane bequest into a profound symbol of love and creativity. Through rich imagery and poetic devices, Duffy celebrates the intimate bond they shared, challenging traditional narratives and highlighting the power of perspective in interpreting history. The poem stands as a testament to the enduring nature of love and the ways in which personal relationships can inspire and influence art.