Analysis Of Marilyn Hacker's Villanelle For D. G. B

Ever-Changing Love

In Marilyn Hacker’s “Villanelle for D.G.B” the speaker describes an ever changing relationship full of lust, passion, and physicality. Love is elusive, it is natural to be confused or intimidated by it. Also, it is human nature to have trouble separating love, lust, and intimacy. This common issue is illustrated well by Hacker. It is easy to assume that this poem is simply about an exclusively lust filled, shallow relationship between the speaker and the auditor. However, after closer analysis, one can see that the speaker yearns for a deeper relationship with the auditor. The speaker begins the poem being content with this exclusively physically intimate relationship, but grows to want a deeper more emotionally fulfilling

Hacker describes a lighthearted connection between two individuals that is extremely physically intimate and exciting, but lacks emotional connection. Although the speaker recognizes the lack of emotions associated with this relationship, she is content with this situation. Marilyn Hacker plays with enjambment to illustrate visually this separation between these two individuals. Using this literary device, the breaks and interruptions of sentences causes the reader to be pulled into her world, feeling the jarring, yet intoxicating separation the speaker feels.Next, the speaker says she is often “dazed” (2). The usage of this word denotes imagery of being dazzled and stunned by light. The obvious positive nature of this word shows how happy the speaker is in this relationship at this point in time. The duo is described as feeling “speechless and amazed” (5). These words imply a very exciting new relationship. They are so enamored with the physical part of their encounters that they have no words to be said, and no words need to be said. This ineffability implies a relationship that does not grow emotionally, but strictly physically. For two parties to be emotionally invested in each other they must appreciate each other's personalities. This is not something that is currently present in the pair described in the poem. The speaker also tells the reader that she is filled with wonder and astonishment. These positive adjectives tell us that at this point in time, the speaker is in fact happy and content with her current