Felicia Hemans

The first thing that came to my mind when reading this poem was the saying that, “There is nothing like a woman scorned”. The pain and anguish within this woman comes alive through Hemans words. She points out the strength and multi-faceted capabilities of women.

“Mightier than death, untamable by fate.
Waves like a warrior floating plumage round;
Flush is her cheek, inspired her haughty mien,
She seems th’ avenging goddess of the scene.” (Lines 28-32)

It is funny that when you find yourself in a situation that makes you frustrated or causes you pain you become very aware of your inner strengths and your anguish tends to motivate you. I believe that this is very evident through the previously cited lines because the wife of Asdrubal is so much in pain that she is not afraid of the one thing of which she has to fear the most, death. To make matters even worse her purpose in life was motherhood and due to the death of her children she has no purpose therefore no reason for living. Her drive is strengthened even more now giving her an illusion of an unearthly Goddess.

“It comes, --- the power
Within me born, flows back; my fruitless dower” (Line 26 -27)

Although the same anguish is not present I relate the feeling of emptiness in “Properzia Rossi” to a mother who has been a home maker and whose sole purpose is to provide for her family until the one day that all the children go away to college or move out of the house. What does one do when they have no purpose in life? This is something that drives a lot of people not only women, crazy on a day to day bases.