The apples remain where they always have been and are still just as divine and “transcendent.” They are beyond the realm of humans. It is very likely that this mortal fell to the guardians of the apples, having acted brashly and selfishly. To read more about the guarding of the apples, see “The Story of the Hesperides” above. They resemble “pendent,” and are there in their entirety. They are more than just fruit they are a force all their own, “Orbed” and “glittering” like a piece of jewelry. In the final eight-line stanza of the poem, the speaker once more reiterates the importance of, and beauty of, these apples. Their thoughts were completely consumed with the prospect of “possess the golden-glittering / Apples of Hesperides.” They thought too “soon” and acted without really thinking. This person is described as being “duped” by the idea that he/she could possibly reach these apples. They are undeterred by the dew on the leaves or the sharp brambles that scratch their skin. He/she pushes “forward” through the woods. This person is only described as being a “mortal,” he or she is a normal human being who, after stumbling on the apples at night is taken in by their “radiant shimmer.” This person, knowing full and well, the importance of the apples, still persists in attempting to claim some. The speaker introduces a vague character to the poem. This becomes clear in the next lines of the stanza. Not only are they physically out of reach, but they also are not meant for a mortal. They are said to be “lofty” but still, their light reaches the ground where she is standing. The apples are not within the speaker’s reach. This line, “Apples of Hesperides” will be a refrain in this piece that serves to remind the speaker how important this fruit is. The last line repeats the title, and second line, of the poem. These delicate objects are “treasure” and they are swinging so simply in the night, it is a marvel to behold. The apples are shooting off “pale shots of yellow light” and they are “Swaying” in the light, or “kissing,” breeze. It is as if the speaker is confined within “night” and the dark is keeping her there. The only other light in this scene is that of the moon which is piercing the darkness that is wrapped around the forest. It is as if some force within them is powering them. They are “Glinting,” even in the darkness of night. The speaker can see the apples “through the trees” of the forest and states that they give off a light all their own. These are not normal apples, they are golden, and were a gift to the goddess Hera on her wedding day. She is observing the “ Apples of Hesperides” hanging in the forest at night. In the first stanza of this piece, the speaker describes to the reader a spectacular sight. They are “transcendent” and divine in their own right and will never be removed from their tree. In the final section the speaker states once more that there is no way a mortal could ever touch this fruit, and that they are more than just apples. In the second stanza, the poet describes a mortal’s misguided quest to retrieve an apple for his, or herself, This person gives little thought to their personal wellbeing and charges headfirst towards the prize. They are simple objects, but endlessly valuable. They are glowing a brilliant golden that is able, like the moon, to pierce through the darkness. “ Apples of Hesperides” by Amy Lowell describes the transcendent beauty and untouchable nature of Hera’s golden apples.Īt the beginning of this poem, the speaker is describing the apples of the Hesperides hanging in the forest at night.
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