Grief fills the room up of my absent child,Lies in his bed, walks up and down with me,Puts on his pretty look, repeats his words,Remembers me of his gracious parts,Stuffs out his vacant garments with his form
In this poignant passage from Shakespeare's "King John," the speaker expresses profound grief over the loss of their child. The imagery evokes a sense of the child's lingering presence, as grief seems to inhabit the physical space and memories of the child. The speaker feels the child's absence deeply, as if the grief itself is a tangible entity that fills the room and follows them around.
The passage also conveys a haunting reminder of the child's former vitality. The speaker recalls the child's appearance, words, and cherished qualities, illustrating how the loss has left an emptiness that is felt both emotionally and physically. The way grief is personified highlights the struggle of coping with such a profound loss, making it clear that while the child may be gone, their memories and essence continue to impact the speaker's life.
