Poem they flee from me 1557.explain the imaginary in stanza 1

The poem "They Flee from Me" was written by Sir Thomas Wyatt in 1557. It explores themes of love, desire, and memory. In the first stanza, the speaker describes a group of women who used to show interest in him but have now distanced themselves.

To analyze the use of imagery in this stanza, we need to examine the words and phrases that create vivid mental images. In this particular stanza, the poet uses the following images:

1. "They flee from me that sometime did me seek": This line presents the image of women running away from the speaker, emphasizing their change in behavior. It conveys a sense of movement and departure.

2. "With naked foot stalking in my chamber": Here, the image of someone silently entering the speaker's bedroom is portrayed. The mention of "naked foot" implies a sense of intimacy, vulnerability, and closeness, indicating the speaker's previous connection with these women.

3. "I have seen them gentle, tame, and meek": This line portrays an image of the women as gentle, submissive, and easily controlled. The words "gentle," "tame," and "meek" suggest their previous docility and compliance.

Overall, the first stanza of "They Flee from Me" demonstrates the imagery of women who were once interested in the speaker but have now distanced themselves, creating a sense of mystery and change. The poet skillfully captures the reader's attention by evoking specific visualizations related to the shifting dynamics of relationships.