O Western Wind : lyric of unknown authorship from the middle English period - Analysis

 

O Western Wind (Anonymous)

 

O Western Wind when wilt thou blow
The small rain down can rain
Christ! my love were in my arms
and I in my bed again.

The speaker addresses the western wind, asking when it will blow. The west wind is traditionally associated with arrival of spring, and new beginnings, contrasting with the coldness and hardship of winter. The speaker's question implies a deep longing for a change and comfort.

The west wind can be seen as the metaphor for transformation or the fulfillment of a wish, perhaps the end of separation from a loved one. The use of direct address "O Western Wind" suggesting that the speaker believes the wind has the power to change his circumstances.

Here, the speaker refers to "small rain," a gentle, persistent drizzle. This gentle rain can also symbolizes a new hope .

 

The speaker exclaims, invoking Christ, expressing a deep and almost desperate wish that his beloved were in his arms.  The exclamation "Christ!" could indicate that the speaker is turning to divine power in their longing, highlighting the intensity of his desire.

The speaker desires to be back in their bed, suggesting a longing for rest, comfort, and perhaps a return to a familiar, safe place. This could also imply a longing for intimacy with the loved one.

The speaker's longing is not just for reunion but also for the peace that comes with it. The line can also be seen as a desire to return to a time or state when things were better, that is lost forever.

Analysis:

"O Western Wind" captures the sense of longing and the human desire for reunion with a loved one. The poem is remarkable for its brevity and the way it uses simple language to convey complex emotions. The invocation of both the natural (the wind and rain) and the divine (Christ) suggests that the speaker demands both earthly and heavenly intervention. The poem's structure, with its direct address, reflects the deep emotional turmoil of the speaker.