Rosamond
Compared to other love poetry, “To Rosamond” is surprisingly vague about how Rosamond actually looks. Chaucer says nothing about her eyes, her mouth, or her hair—the features usually emphasized in medieval love poetry. However, he does specify that she has round cheeks and a soft, high-pitched voice. He also describes her as “merry and jocund,” or cheerful, lighthearted, and gracious. Although the speaker seems sure Rosamond will never be interested in him, he doesn’t give any explicit reason why; she isn’t cold, hostile to marriage, or otherwise engaged. He does compare himself to Tristan, a famous romance hero who was in love with a woman above his station. This suggests Rosamond may outrank the speaker, making their love impossible.
The Speaker
Even though the poem is about Rosamond, we get a better sense of the speaker’s personality. He’s pretty dramatic. To him, her beauty is like a shrine, a glorious crystal, a ruby. With such an extraordinary object of devotion, it’s no surprise his unrequited love feels like a “wound.” Yet even though his love hurts him, he also keeps coming back for more; the only thing that makes him feel better is seeing more of his beloved. He thus seems to swing between two extremes. One moment, he’s lamenting Rosamond’s lack of interest; the next, he’s rejoicing in his own boundless love.
