Analysis of Fet’s poem “If you love, like me, endlessly…. “If you love, like me, endlessly...” A

If you love like me, endlessly,
If you live and breathe love,
Place your hand on my chest carelessly:
You can hear the beating of hearts under it.

Oh, don't count them! in them, with magical power,
Every impulse is filled with you,
So in the spring behind the healing stream
Spins moisture in a hot stream.

Drink, surrender to the happy moments, -
The thrill of bliss will embrace the whole soul,
Drink - and don’t ask with inquisitive eyes,
Will the heart soon dry up, cool down?

Analysis of Fet’s poem “If you love, like me, endlessly...”

Until his death, Afanasy Fet kept his heartfelt secret, reproaching himself for rejecting the love of a woman who could make him truly happy. Soon after breaking up with Maria Lazic, the poet’s beloved died tragically, and Fet believed that he was guilty of her death. However, in 1857 he married Maria Botkina, the heiress of a fairly substantial capital. The poet married not so much out of love as out of convenience, since he felt from his own experience what it was like to be a beggar, having lost not only his title, but also his inheritance at the age of 16. Thus, having successfully arranged his personal life, Fet sighed calmly, but very soon began to be tormented by doubts and reproach himself for exchanging love for money.

However, was the poet really indifferent to his young wife? History is silent about this, but Fet’s poem “If you love, like me, endlessly...”, written in 1856 and dedicated to Maria Botkina, has been preserved. In the first line of this work, the author declares his love, but does not specify who exactly this phrase is intended for. It is logical to assume that he is addressing his fiancée. But the subsequent lines cast doubt on this, because the author warns his chosen one to enjoy every moment of happiness, which, in his opinion, can be so fleeting.

“Place your hands on my chest carelessly: you will hear the beating of your heart under it,” the poet addresses his bride, as if reminding her and himself that he is a living person, not devoid of feelings. However, even at the moment when he is next to his chosen one, all his thoughts are connected with the name of another woman whom he continues to love. And it is this contradiction that frightens the poet, who is not sure that he will be able to give real happiness to his future wife, young, inexperienced and so sincerely in love with a person who, according to Fet, does not deserve it at all.

The poet understands that the illusion of a happy family life will not last forever, so he calls on his future wife: “Drink, surrendering to happy moments.” This phrase contains pity, compassion and hope that the upcoming marriage will still be successful. However, the poet cannot deceive himself, so he asks the bride: “Do not ask with an inquisitive glance whether the heart will soon dry up or cool down.” The author knows that the feelings he experiences for his chosen one are just an illusion, because his soul forever belongs to another.

Throughout his life, Afanasy Fet experienced an insurmountable feeling of guilt in front of the girl whom he had long ago exchanged for wealth. Even in his youth, Fet knew Maria Lazic, and there was an ardent and passionate romance between them. However, an unprofitable relationship that would continue the poet's misery and poverty was not part of his plans. It was for this reason that he broke up his relationship with one Maria and married another.

Maria Botkina belonged to the class of nobles, therefore, she had a decent heritage behind her. It would seem that everything happened as the poet planned. Only fate decided to punish Fet for such mercantile miscalculations. Maria Lazic died almost immediately after the end of their romance. And the family life of Afanasy Fet was absolutely unhappy.

In the poem “If you love, like me, endlessly...” the poet addresses his legal wife. He sympathizes and regrets the young woman who really loved Fet. Maria Botkina knew about the unsuccessful romance of the poet’s youth and tried with all her might to soothe the pain of her beloved. Afanasy Afanasyevich was infinitely grateful to her for this, however, he could not reciprocate feelings. Until the last day of his life, that beautiful girl whom he betrayed lived in his thoughts.

Looking at his wife in love, the author seems to be making a request to her. He warns that you need to love now and here, without missing a single minute, not a single chance. After all, he has already committed such stupidity in his life. Now, his heart grew cold and sank. Although hope for a happy married life creeps into the author’s mind, it is, however, just an illusion. The soul of Afanasy Fet will always belong to the one who is no longer alive.

Afanasy Afanasyevich Fet

If you love like me, endlessly,
If you live and breathe love,
Place your hand on my chest carelessly:
You can hear the beating of hearts under it.
Oh, don't count them! in them, with magical power,
Every impulse is filled with you,
So in the spring behind the healing stream
Spins moisture in a hot stream.
Drink, surrender to the happy moments, -
The thrill of bliss will embrace the whole soul,
Drink - and don’t ask with inquisitive eyes,
Will the heart soon dry up, cool down?

Maria Botkina

Until his death, Afanasy Fet kept his heartfelt secret, reproaching himself for rejecting the love of a woman who could make him truly happy. Soon after breaking up with Maria Lazic, the poet’s beloved died tragically, and Fet believed that he was guilty of her death. However, in 1857 he married Maria Botkina, the heiress of a fairly substantial capital. The poet married not so much out of love as out of convenience, since he felt from his own experience what it was like to be a beggar, having lost not only his title, but also his inheritance at the age of 16. Thus, having successfully arranged his personal life, Fet sighed calmly, but very soon began to be tormented by doubts and reproach himself for exchanging love for money.

However, was the poet really indifferent to his young wife? History is silent about this, but Fet’s poem “If you love, like me, endlessly...”, written in 1856 and dedicated to Maria Botkina, has been preserved. In the first line of this work, the author declares his love, but does not specify who exactly this phrase is intended for. It is logical to assume that he is addressing his fiancée. But the subsequent lines cast doubt on this, because the author warns his chosen one to enjoy every moment of happiness, which, in his opinion, can be so fleeting.

“Place your hands on my chest carelessly: you will hear the beating of your heart under it,” the poet addresses his bride, as if reminding her and himself that he is a living person, not devoid of feelings. However, even at the moment when he is next to his chosen one, all his thoughts are connected with the name of another woman whom he continues to love. And it is this contradiction that frightens the poet, who is not sure that he will be able to give real happiness to his future wife, young, inexperienced and so sincerely in love with a person who, according to Fet, does not deserve it at all.

The poet understands that the illusion of a happy family life will not last forever, so he calls on his future wife: “Drink, surrendering to happy moments.” This phrase contains pity, compassion and hope that the upcoming marriage will still be successful. However, the poet cannot deceive himself, so he asks the bride: “Do not ask with an inquisitive glance whether the heart will soon dry up or cool down.” The author knows that the feelings he experiences for his chosen one are just an illusion, because his soul forever belongs to another.