Oenone : Quotations
Oenone is a notable literary work by Alfred Lord Tennyson. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Oenone.
Quotations
“Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control,
These three alone lead life to sovereign power.”
Explanation: This line says that if a person can respect themselves, understand who they are, and control their emotions and desires, they can achieve great things in life.
“Dear mother Ida, harken ere I die.”
Explanation: Oenone is trying to express her sorrow to her mother, Ida. This line, at the beginning of the poem, shows the deep pain inside her and her desperate emotional state.
“Beautiful Paris, evil-hearted Paris,”
Explanation: Oenone calls Paris “beautiful” because he is handsome, but also “evil-hearted” because he betrayed her and left her for Helen. This shows her deep pain and how her love turned into anger.
“There is a fire within me.”
Explanation: Oenone is filled with so much pain and anger that she feels as if there is a fire burning inside her. This line shows the intensity of her emotional suffering.
“Thou comest, O my Paris, from the war.”
Explanation: Oenone imagines Paris returning from the war. This line mixes memory and reality—Oenone wants him back, but deep down she knows he will not return.
“Let no child of mine / Be born, if this be thine!”
Explanation: Oenone is in so much pain that she doesn’t want her child to ever be like Paris. She doesn’t want her cursed love to pass on to the future.