Christina Rossetti was a prominent English poet of the Victorian era, known for her lyrical, devotional, and sometimes darkly passionate verse. Born on December 5, 1830, in London, Rossetti came from a family of artists and intellectuals, which greatly influenced her literary career.
Christina was the youngest of four children born to Gabriele Rossetti, an Italian political exile and Dante scholar, and Frances Polidori, who was of Italian and English descent. Her siblings, including the famous Pre-Raphaelite painter and poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti, were all accomplished in their own right, creating a stimulating intellectual environment in their home.
From an early age, Christina showed a talent for writing. She began composing poetry as a child, often participating in writing games with her siblings. Her first poems were published in 1847 in "The Athenaeum," a private family literary magazine. This early exposure to literature and the arts laid the foundation for her future career as a poet.
Rossetti's poetry is characterized by its musicality, intricate symbolism, and exploration of themes such as love, death, and religious faith. Her work often reflects her deep Anglican faith, which became increasingly important to her throughout her life. This religious devotion is evident in many of her poems, including "A Better Resurrection" and "Up-hill."
One of Rossetti's most famous works is "Goblin Market," a long narrative poem published in 1862. This poem, ostensibly a children's fairy tale, is rich in symbolism and has been subject to various interpretations over the years, including readings that explore themes of temptation, sisterhood, and female sexuality. The poem's vivid imagery and rhythmic language showcase Rossetti's skill as a poet and her ability to blend the fantastic with deeper moral and social commentary.
Another well-known poem by Rossetti is "Remember," a sonnet that deals with themes of love, memory, and death. This poem, like much of her work, demonstrates her ability to convey complex emotions within the constraints of traditional poetic forms.
Rossetti's personal life was marked by several romantic disappointments. She was engaged twice but broke off both engagements due to religious differences. These experiences, along with her strong faith, influenced much of her poetry, particularly her love sonnets and devotional verses.
In addition to her poetry, Rossetti wrote prose works, including "Commonplace, and Other Short Stories" (1870) and "Speaking Likenesses" (1874), a collection of fantasy stories for children. She also contributed to literary magazines and wrote devotional prose works.
Rossetti's style is often associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement, which sought to return to the detailed, colorful style of late medieval and early Renaissance art. While she was not officially a member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, her brother Dante Gabriel was a founding member, and Christina often modeled for paintings by the group.
Throughout her life, Rossetti suffered from various health issues, including a thyroid disorder that affected her appearance and may have contributed to periods of depression. Despite these challenges, she continued to write and publish until late in life.
Christina Rossetti died on December 29, 1894, after a long battle with breast cancer. By the time of her death, she had established herself as one of the most important poets of her generation. Her influence extended beyond her contemporaries to later poets, particularly women writers who found in her work a model for expressing complex emotions and ideas within traditional poetic forms.
Today, Christina Rossetti is remembered as a major figure in Victorian poetry. Her work continues to be widely read and studied, appreciated for its technical skill, emotional depth, and exploration of themes that remain relevant to modern readers. Her ability to blend sensuality with spirituality, and to express profound truths in seemingly simple verse, ensures her place as one of the most significant and enduring voices in English literature.
