English Literature - Rossetti

Cousin Kate
ABOUT:
The poem is narrative poem/monologue narrated by an unnamed cottage maiden set in
Victorian society, which suggests a humble upbringing that was seduced by a Great Lord
and became pregnant, and later gave birth to his child out of wedlock. He wore her like a
silken knot which suggests he used the cottage maiden, his plaything, before changing
her like a glove for her cousin, Kate, who he later marries because she is pure and
good. Cousin Kate cant or hasnt been able to have children as yet, and so the cottage
maiden thinks that she is better off than Kate as her son with the Lord will inherit all the
Lords money and land if and when he dies.
The poem has 6 verses with 8 lines per verse and every even line rhymes.
Narrator:
Was a cottage maiden hardened by nature at beginning of poem.
Was seduced by a Great Lord and became pregnant, having a child out of wedlock.
Blonde flaxen hair which was what attracted the Lord to her in the first place.
She didnt know she was beautiful, even says: I was not mindful I was fair.
Outcast by neighbours for not being good and pure like Kate.
Hardened by nature suggests she worked outside, in rye growing.
Was lured by Lord.
Lord is gentler towards Kate than he was to the cottage maid.
The cottage maid is worried her child will be taken from her by the Lord as he has no other
children.
When the cottage maid met the Lord, she moved up in society, however having a child from
wedlock was taboo in the Victorian society of the time & she is treated as dirty and
outcast.
Thinks she is better off as she is as she has her son who she is proud of.
My shame, my pride, oxymoron used by the cottage maiden as she describes her son.

Kate:
More attractive than cottage maiden, seen as pure.
Marries the Lord, after the cottage maiden gets pregnant.
On par with the Lord, as good as him: to sit with him on high.
Cant or hasnt had any children yet.

Lord:
Objectifies the women, treats them like possessions.
Controlling lured, watched
He has unrelenting power, could take the cottage maidens child away from her.