On a Picture of Leander explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Loss

  Leander's tragic death in pursuit of his beloved Hero highlights the theme of love leading to loss.

• Mortality and the Sublime

  The depiction of Leander's drowning and the awe-inspiring power of the sea evoke mortality and the sublime.

Characters to notice

• Unknown

  The speaker addresses sweet maidens and describes the scene of Leander's drowning.

• Leander

  The young Leander is depicted toiling to his death, sinking bewildered in the sea.

Key passages

• “Come hither, all sweet maidens soberly, Down-looking aye, and with a chasten’d light Hid in the fringes of your eyelids white, And meekly let your fair hands joined be, As if so gentle that ye could not see, Untouch’d, a victim of your beauty bright, Sinking away to his young spirit’s night, Sinking bewilder’d ’mid the dreary sea:”

  The speaker calls upon modest maidens to look down with gentle eyes and clasp their hands, as if they are too delicate to witness a young man, a victim of their beauty, sinking confused into the dark sea.

  The opening lines set a somber tone, inviting the maidens to observe Leander's tragic fate.

• “’Tis young Leander toiling to his death; Nigh swooning, he doth purse his weary lips For Hero’s cheek, and smiles against her smile.”

  It is young Leander struggling toward his death; nearly fainting, he puckers his tired lips toward Hero's cheek and smiles in response to her smile.

  This highlights Leander's desperate effort and his longing for Hero in his final moments.

• “O horrid dream! see how his body dips Dead-heavy; arms and shoulders gleam awhile: He’s gone; up bubbles all his amorous breath!”

  What a terrible vision! Watch how his body sinks, heavy as death; his arms and shoulders shine briefly before he disappears, and his loving breath rises as bubbles.

  The final lines vividly capture the moment of drowning and the tragic end of Leander's romantic quest.