The raven has
long been a symbol of several things. In Greek mythology the raven symbolizes both prophecy and
wisdom. It also is a brooding symbol of evil, death, loss, grief, and mental stress.
In 's "," the weary student exemplifies the human need to torment oneself
with grief and relentless efforts to find meaning in what is without meaning.
Prophecy and Wisdom
In Poe's poem, the
speaker sees the Raven perched on the bust of Athena. This position of the Raven suggests the
powers of an oracle, who will impart wisdom. But, when the speaker asks him what his
"lordly name" is, hoping for words of wisdom, the bird simply says,
"Nevermore." This word then becomes a refrain which causes the speaker great mental
distress while also acting as a prophecy.
In line 85, the speaker believes
the bird does foretell the future; he addresses the Raven:
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil--prophet still, if bird or
devil!....
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if...
It shall clasp a sainted
maiden.... (ll.85-87)
Loss and
Despair
The speaker is in an agitated state, repeatedly and
urgently seeking relief from the raven only to be given the word "Nevermore." Hearing
this word repeated, the speaker begins to despair as he realizes thatis lost to him.
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of
'Never €“ nevermore.'" (ll.65-66)
Grief
As he grieves for Lenore, the
speaker calls out for relief:
Respite €“ respite and
nepenthe (a medicine for sorrow), from thy memories of Lenore;
Quaff, oh quaff this
kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore! (ll.82-83)
Evil and Death
In the final stanza the
speaker compares the Raven's eyes to those of a devil who looms over him, depressing his
spirit:
And my soul from out that shadow that lies
floating on the floor
Shall be lifted €“ nevermore! (ll. 107-108)
As the poem ends, the bird still sits above the door, a brooding
symbol of the speaker's distress.
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