Cousin Kate by Christina Rossetti

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The poem, Cousin Kate, written by Christina Rossetti is the story of a

cottage maiden and how she was seduced and used by the lord of the

estate for which she worked. The poem then goes on to describe how she

became jealous of her cousin, Kate, as she then went on to marry the

lord.

The lord had seduced the cottage maiden and used her like,

"A Silken Knot"

This basically means that the lord used the cottage maiden as a trophy

and used her when he wanted to.

The poem starts by describing the cottage maiden by saying that she

was hardened by

"Sun and air"

Which suggests that she worked in the fields and the poem goes onto

say that she was,

"Contented with my cottage mates"

This quote suggests that she was happy with the life she led. Then the

poem goes on to describe how the lord swept hair off her feet by

seducing her by complementing her on her looks. However she starts to

question the lords judgement on why he picked her, this is proved when

she says,

"Why did a great lord find me out and praise my flaxen hair?"

This suggests that she has no confidence in her appearance or status

or it could be that she feels that the lord is only after one thing.

She then goes on to say that he has filled her heart with care.

In the second verse the poem shows how the lord has managed to take

the cottage maiden back to his house. After this she goes on to say

how the lord used her for sex and as a trophy. This is shown when she

says,

"His plaything and his love, He wore me like a silken knot."

This quote shows how she thinks that she was used as a trophy and as a

'plaything'. In the last two lines she goes on to say how she has

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