"They Flee From Me" by Sir Thomas Wyatt is a poignant exploration of love, desire, and betrayal. Wyatt, a prominent poet of the English Renaissance, often reflected on the complexities of courtly love and human relationships in his works. In this poem, he recounts the changing nature of his romantic encounters, shifting from intimacy and tenderness to abandonment and alienation. The poem is deeply personal yet universal, capturing the bittersweet tension between memory and loss. Its elegant yet candid language reflects Wyatt’s mastery of introspective lyricism.
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They Flee From Me
They flee from me that sometime did me seek
With naked foot, stalking in my chamber.
I have seen them gentle, tame, and meek,
That now are wild and do not remember
That sometime they put themself in danger
To take bread at my hand; and now they range,
Busily seeking with a continual change.
Thanked be fortune it hath been otherwise
Twenty times better; but once in special,
In thin array after a pleasant guise,
When her loose gown from her shoulders did fall,
And she me caught in her arms long and small;
Therewithall sweetly did me kiss
And softly said, “Dear heart, how like you this?”
It was no dream: I lay broad waking.
But all is turned thorough my gentleness
Into a strange fashion of forsaking;
And I have leave to go of her goodness,
And she also, to use newfangleness.
But since that I so kindly am served
I would fain know what she hath deserved.
Audio Poem Sung
Summary of “They Flee From Me”
The poem recounts the speaker’s shifting experiences with love, moving from past intimacy to present rejection. It begins with the speaker lamenting how those who once sought his affection now avoid him. He reflects on their former gentleness and willingness to engage with him, contrasting it with their current restlessness and pursuit of others. The speaker recalls one particularly vivid memory of a lover, describing a passionate and tender encounter where she embraced and kissed him. This memory, however, is bittersweet, as he acknowledges that her affection has since faded. The poem concludes with the speaker’s reflection on her betrayal and his lingering question of what she deserves for abandoning him.
- Opening lament: The speaker reflects on how former lovers, once eager for his attention, now flee from him.
- Contrasting past and present: He contrasts their past gentleness with their current wild and unfaithful behavior.
- A vivid memory: The speaker recalls a specific moment of intimacy with one lover, describing her affection and tenderness.
- Bittersweet reality: He acknowledges that this affection has turned into abandonment, leaving him to question the nature of her betrayal.
Analysis of “They Flee From Me”
Sir Thomas Wyatt uses vivid imagery and an introspective tone to explore themes of love’s transience, betrayal, and the speaker’s emotional vulnerability. The opening stanza sets the tone of loss and alienation, with the speaker lamenting how those who once sought him now “flee.” The metaphor of feeding tame creatures, who now roam wild, underscores the theme of abandonment and the unpredictable nature of human relationships. In the second stanza, the memory of a tender encounter contrasts sharply with the bitterness of the present, highlighting the fleeting nature of intimacy. The final stanza’s tone shifts to one of quiet resignation and a questioning of justice, as the speaker grapples with his undeserved treatment.
The poem’s structure mirrors the progression of the speaker’s emotions: from nostalgia and longing to passionate remembrance and finally to a contemplative sense of betrayal. Wyatt’s use of direct language and conversational tone adds to the poem’s emotional immediacy. The juxtaposition of gentle affection and harsh abandonment reflects the complexities of love and human connection, making the poem a timeless meditation on the joys and sorrows of relationships.
- Thematic contrast: The poem juxtaposes past intimacy with present abandonment, emphasizing love’s transience.
- Imagery of taming and wildness: The metaphor of gentle creatures turned wild symbolizes the unpredictability of human emotions.
- Emotional vulnerability: The speaker’s reflection reveals his vulnerability and the pain of betrayal.
Themes in “They Flee From Me”
The central themes of "They Flee From Me" include love’s transience, betrayal, and the passage of time. The poem explores the shifting dynamics of relationships, as those who once sought the speaker’s affection now abandon him. This theme of impermanence is underscored by the imagery of wild creatures, symbolizing the fleeting nature of love and loyalty. Betrayal is another key theme, as the speaker reflects on the contrast between past tenderness and present rejection. Finally, the poem touches on the theme of memory and its role in shaping our understanding of love, as the speaker finds solace and sorrow in recalling a moment of deep connection.
- Transience of love: The poem emphasizes how relationships and emotions are often fleeting and unpredictable.
- Betrayal and abandonment: The speaker reflects on being forsaken by those who once sought his affection.
- Memory and longing: The speaker’s vivid recollection of a tender moment highlights the bittersweet nature of love’s impermanence.
Structure of “They Flee From Me”
The poem consists of three stanzas, each with seven lines and a rhyme scheme of ABABBCC. The first stanza establishes the poem’s tone of loss and longing, while the second shifts to a vivid memory of intimacy, and the third concludes with the speaker’s reflection on betrayal and justice. The consistent structure mirrors the cyclical nature of the speaker’s emotions, as he oscillates between remembering past affection and grappling with present rejection. Wyatt’s use of enjambment and varied line lengths creates a conversational rhythm, adding to the poem’s introspective and personal tone.
- Stanzaic structure: The poem’s three stanzas each serve a distinct emotional and narrative purpose.
- Rhyme scheme: The ABABBCC pattern lends a sense of balance and closure to the poem’s reflection.
- Conversational rhythm: The use of enjambment and varied line lengths enhances the poem’s introspective tone.
