A Lover's Embrace Anonymous

Can the ocean be considered a lover? Is it possible for someone to find a strong infatuation with the rolling waves and the smell of salt water? Does the sea have the capacity to love someone? Looking out into the waters, the female character in Emily Dickinson's Poem entitled, "I started Early - Took my Dog," is intrigued by the mystifying qualities of the sea. Ranging from the puzzling creatures, to the vast ships, and even the crashing waves, the main character cannot help from slowly moving into the water until almost entirely engulfed. In this same manner, in William Shakespeare's play, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Bottom, even though being changed into an ass, cannot help but to slowly become interested in Titania's eager advances. Using small compliments, loving praise, and even servants by her side, she is able to bring in Bottom to try to convince him to stay in the woods with her. In both pieces of literature, even though the woman and Bottom are cautious at first, the sea and Titania use various devices to help demonstrate their love.

As the poem, "I started Early - Took my Dog," opens, the first reference made to the mysterious nature of the sea is through the use of the...