Last night I participated in the second of a monthly discussion group about selected poems by Dickinson sponsored by the Emily Dickinson Museum.
Dickinson was an avid reader of Shakespeare, and the main theme of last night’s discussion centered on four poems connected to The Tempest (or at least “possibly” connected).
At the start, Dr Melba Jensen shared information related to Dickinson’s love of Shakespeare, the Bard’s reception in the nineteenth century, and the poet’s personal edition of The Tempest.
Then we examined the poem “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” This poem doesn’t necessarily have a direct connection to Shakespeare’s play; however, Dr. Jensen felt as though the theme of the poem called to mind the character of Ariel: In The Tempest, Act III, Scene 2, Trinculo hears an invisible spirit named Ariel playing music; he follows Ariel into a foul-smelling swamp.
Dickinson was an avid reader of Shakespeare, and the main theme of last night’s discussion centered on four poems connected to The Tempest (or at least “possibly” connected).
At the start, Dr Melba Jensen shared information related to Dickinson’s love of Shakespeare, the Bard’s reception in the nineteenth century, and the poet’s personal edition of The Tempest.
Then we examined the poem “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” This poem doesn’t necessarily have a direct connection to Shakespeare’s play; however, Dr. Jensen felt as though the theme of the poem called to mind the character of Ariel: In The Tempest, Act III, Scene 2, Trinculo hears an invisible spirit named Ariel playing music; he follows Ariel into a foul-smelling swamp.
| Dr. Jensen also provided information from Charles Knight’s editorial note in Dickinson’s edition of Shakespeare’s plays which centered on an illustration of “Nobody,” a figure that appeared on medieval signs. Because he had “no body,” his breeches” rose to his neck. Nobody’s endless “breeches” associated him with the legal profession (LOL – don’t ask me why), so the figure often held a roll of legal parchment and was considered a lawyer. Comic dialogues between “Nobody” and “Somebody” are recorded from the 17th-century onward. “Somebody” was often pictured as a soldier. Most of our group’s talk on this poem focused on whether or not the speaker of “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” was addressing another person or if the lines represented an internal monologue (LOL – it certainly seems to be an anthem to the introvert) — and there was some discussion related to Dickinson’s view of fame and celebrity. |  |
Members of the group also discussed how their reactions to this poem changed after hearing someone in the group read the poem out loud. To many, the public reading – vs. one’s silent reading – seemed to come across as more playful and sassy.
What are your thoughts on this poem?
Tomorrow, we’ll take a look at “An awful Tempest mashed the air.”
What are your thoughts on this poem?
Tomorrow, we’ll take a look at “An awful Tempest mashed the air.”
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