Social Hierarchy in Macbeth

Charlotte Smith is an underappreciated writer of the Early Romantic period, whose profound influence on the era has been overshadowed by more famous contemporaries like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Both Wordsworth and Coleridge acknowledged Smith's impact on their works, yet she has not been afforded the same level of acclaim as these male poets. Only in recent years has her work begun to receive the recognition it deserves as an integral part of the English literary canon. Before encountering Smith's work in my literature class, I was unaware of her contributions, but I now feel compelled to advocate for her rightful place in literary history when I teach my future literature classes.

The Tragic Life of Charlotte Smith

Charlotte Smith's life was marked by tragedy and hardship, which deeply influenced her writing. At the age of 15, she was married off to a man by her father, a betrayal she perceived as being "sold off." As a mother of 12 children, three of whom died, she was left to support nine hungry mouths. Her life was a constant struggle, balancing the demands of motherhood with her literary aspirations while managing her family's financial difficulties. This misery is palpable in her poetry, particularly in her collection "Elegiac Sonnets." The title itself should have prepared us for the themes of sorrow and loss that pervade her work. Nonetheless, as students, we were initially unprepared for the depth of emotion conveyed in her writing.

Literary Analysis: "To Sleep"

Of the poems we studied, "To Sleep" resonated with me the most. The poem captures the universal human experience of yearning for rest, a sentiment especially relatable for college students who often find themselves longing for sleep that remains elusive. The speaker's desperate plea in the opening line, "Come balmy Sleep," is a sentiment shared by many who have spent sleepless nights consumed by anxiety. The poem's invocation of opiate aids like "poppies" suggests that Smith herself may have turned to substances like laudanum in a futile attempt to find rest.

Smith's education, which was unusually comprehensive for a woman of her time, is evident in her work. She demonstrates a knowledge of mythology by invoking Morpheus, the Greek god of dreams, and alludes to Shakespeare in her lines reminiscent of "Henry IV, Part II." By echoing Shakespeare's language, Smith engages in a dialogue with the literary tradition, creating a layer of intertextuality that enriches her poetry. Her reference to "the poor sea boy" and "he who wears a crown" highlights the disparity between those burdened by complex responsibilities and those with simpler lives, a theme that reveals her nuanced understanding of class and privilege.

Class and Anxiety

While it might be tempting to view Smith's portrayal of the working class as idealized or exploitative, a deeper reading suggests that she perceives their lives as less complicated, and therefore less burdened by the anxieties that plague her. This is not to diminish the hardships faced by the lower classes but rather to highlight the unique pressures faced by those in positions of social prominence. Her own worries about family, reputation, and financial stability were compounded by her creative ambitions, making her sleeplessness feel particularly unjust.

The poem's conclusion, with its poignant acknowledgment that it is not merely insomnia but profound anxiety and sorrow that rob her of sleep, is a testament to Smith's literary skill. Unlike the guilt-induced sleeplessness of Shakespeare's Macbeth, Smith's insomnia evokes sympathy rather than condemnation. Her plight elicits a desire to comfort her, to assure her that all will be well, even if such reassurances are ultimately futile.

Conclusion

Charlotte Smith's writing, infused with her personal struggles and societal insights, deserves recognition for its profound impact on the Romantic period and beyond. Her works, characterized by an emotional depth and intertextual richness, speak to the timeless human experiences of grief, anxiety, and the search for solace. As educators and students, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that Smith's legacy is not forgotten, and her contributions to literature are celebrated alongside those of her male counterparts. In doing so, we honor not only her literary genius but also her resilience in the face of adversity.

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