Cousin Kate (Christina Rossetti)

Cousin Kate by Christina Rossetti is a narrative poem that tells the story of a young woman who is seduced and abandoned by a wealthy lord. The speaker, Kate's cousin, reflects on her own past relationship with the lord and the consequences of his betrayal. Despite the speaker's love and loyalty, the lord chooses Kate over her, leaving the speaker feeling betrayed and abandoned. However, as the poem progresses, the speaker reveals that Kate's relationship with the lord has also brought her suffering, as she is now left alone with his child while the speaker has found love and happiness elsewhere. You can read the poem below and find analysis further down the page.

Cousin Kate by Christina Rossetti

I was a cottage-maiden

Hardened by sun and air,

Contented with my cottage-mates,

Not mindful I was fair. 

Why did a great lord ­ find me out

And praise my ‑ flaxen hair?

Why did a great lord ­ find me out

To ­ fill my heart with care?

He lured me to his palace-home –

Woe’s me for joy thereof –

To lead a shameless shameful life,

His plaything and his love. 

He wore me like a golden knot,

He changed me like a glove: 

So now I moan an unclean thing

Who might have been a dove.

O Lady Kate, my Cousin Kate,

You grow more fair than I: 

He saw you at your father’s gate, 

Chose you and cast me by.

He watched your steps along the lane,

Your sport among the rye: 

He lifted you from mean estate

To sit with him on high.

Because you were so good and pure

He bound you with his ring:

The neighbours call you good and pure,

Call me an outcast thing. 

Even so I sit and howl in dust

You sit in gold and sing:

Now which of us has tenderer heart? 

You had the stronger wing. 

O Cousin Kate, my love was true,

Your love was writ in sand: 

If he had fooled not me but you, 

If you stood where I stand,

He had not won me with his love

Nor bought me with his land:

I would have spit into his face

And not have taken his hand.

Yet I’ve a gift you have not got

And seem not like to get:

For all your clothes and wedding-ring

I’ve little doubt you fret.

My fair-haired son, my shame, my pride,

Cling closer, closer yet:

Your sire would give broad lands for one

To wear his coronet.

Analysis:

Title and Subject Matter:

The title "Cousin Kate" immediately introduces the central characters of the poem: Kate and the speaker, who is Kate's cousin. The poem explores themes of love, betrayal, and societal expectations, particularly regarding the roles and expectations placed on women in Victorian society.

Structure and Form:

"Cousin Kate" is written in quatrains with a regular rhyme scheme (ABAB), creating a sense of rhythm and structure. The use of regular meter and rhyme scheme contributes to the poem's narrative flow and emotional impact.

Language and Tone:

Rossetti uses simple, yet evocative language to convey the speaker's emotions and experiences in a direct and relatable manner.

The tone of the poem is melancholic and reflective, with the speaker lamenting the betrayal and abandonment she has experienced at the hands of the lord.

Characterisation and Point of View:

The poem is narrated from the perspective of the speaker, Kate's cousin, allowing readers to empathise with her feelings of betrayal and resentment. Through the speaker's reflections, Rossetti explores the complexities of relationships and the societal expectations placed on women during the Victorian era.

Themes:

Love and betrayal: The poem explores the theme of love and betrayal, as the speaker recounts her past relationship with the lord and the subsequent betrayal by both him and Kate.

Social expectations and gender roles: Rossetti examines the societal expectations placed on women, particularly regarding relationships and marriage, highlighting the injustices and constraints faced by women in Victorian society.

Redemption and resilience: Despite the speaker's initial feelings of betrayal and abandonment, she ultimately finds redemption and happiness, showcasing her resilience and strength.

Key Quotes:

"O cousin Kate, my love was true, / Your love was writ in sand:"

"He changed me like a glove; / So now I moan, an unclean thing, / Who might have been a dove."

"Yet I've a gift you have not got, / And seem not like to get: / For all your clothes and wedding-ring, / I've little doubt you fret."

Conclusion:

Cousin Kate by Christina Rossetti is a poignant exploration of love, betrayal, and societal expectations in Victorian society. Through the speaker's reflections, Rossetti delves into the complexities of relationships and the injustices faced by women, particularly regarding the expectations placed on them by society. The poem's inclusion in the Edexcel GCSE English Literature Conflict Poetry Anthology provides students with an opportunity to explore themes of love, betrayal, and gender roles, as well as to engage with the social and historical context of Victorian society.

You can find analysis of all the Edexcel Conflict Poetry Anthology Poems here.