『大鴉』の名言
Edgar Allan Poeの『The Raven』（1845年）から、有名な一節を10か所、一字一句そのまま紹介します。それぞれの意味と出典も示します。
4分で読めます · 108行
- 1
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,意味： A tired, lonely reader spends a gloomy midnight studying old books.
Narrator第1連、第1行から第2行 - 2
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.意味： The cold December setting and fading fire establish an atmosphere of death, loneliness, and haunting memories.
Narrator第2連、第7行から第8行 - 3
Darkness there and nothing more.
意味： Opening the door reveals only darkness, deepening the mystery rather than explaining the sound.
Narrator第4連、第24行 - 4
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;意味： Staring into the darkness, the narrator becomes overwhelmed by fear, uncertainty, and extraordinary imaginings.
Narrator第5連、第25行から第26行
- 5
Quoth the raven “Nevermore.”
意味： The bird introduces its repeated answer, which the narrator will increasingly interpret as a verdict against hope.
Raven第8連、第48行 - 6
Till I scarcely more than muttered “Other friends have flown before—
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.”意味： Expecting the bird to abandon him too, the narrator connects its possible departure with earlier losses and vanished hopes.
Narrator第10連、第58行から第59行 - 7
Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!”
意味： The narrator desperately asks whether any spiritual comfort or healing can relieve his grief.
Narrator第15連、第89行 - 8
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore.”意味： He asks whether he will be reunited with his beloved Lenore in heaven.
Narrator第16連、第93行から第95行 - 9
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”
意味： He commands the raven to leave and stop causing the emotional pain he imagines as a physical wound.
Narrator第17連、第101行 - 10
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!意味： The narrator believes he will remain trapped forever beneath the weight of grief and despair.
Narrator第18連、第107行から第108行
これらの一節についての質問
What does Nevermore mean in The Raven?
It means never again. Although the bird may simply repeat a learned word, the narrator interprets it as denying relief from grief and reunion with Lenore.
What does the balm in Gilead reference mean in The Raven?
The biblical reference evokes a healing remedy and spiritual consolation. The narrator asks whether anything can soothe his suffering over Lenore’s death.
