Mary Queen of Scots' Poem: "Decease Release" Analysis
Classified in History
Written on in 
English with a size of 1.59 KB
Robert Southwell's "Decease Release" (c. 1593-95)
Historical Context
This poem, written around 1594, speaks through the voice of Mary Queen of Scots, a key figure in the Catholic Counter-Reformation. Mary's execution in 1587, under the reign of Elizabeth I, followed her alleged involvement in the Babington Plot to assassinate Elizabeth. Elizabeth's reign (1558-1603) was marked by the Elizabethan Settlement (1558-1559), which aimed to solidify the Protestant faith after the religious turmoil following the establishment of the Church of England. This settlement required conformity to Anglican practices, further alienating Catholics who viewed Mary as the rightful heir.
The Poem's Meaning
"Decease Release" reflects Mary's motto, "In my End is my Beginning," embroidered on her cloth of estate during imprisonment. Inspired by the salamander emblem of François I, her grandfather-in-law, the motto and poem emphasize the eternity of life after death. The Latin phrase beginning the poem, meaning "while I die, I rise," sets the paradoxical tone.
Stanza 1: Sacrifice and Renewal
The first stanza uses metaphors of sacrifice, such as a lopped tree, to illustrate the idea that destruction leads to revitalization.
Stanza 2: Mary's Identification with Sacrifice
Mary identifies herself with these sacrifices, her execution ("lopping") enabling her new life.
Stanza 3: Oxymorons and Paradox
The poem continues to employ oxymorons, linking decay with perfection and sorrow ("dole") with joy, further emphasizing the paradox of life and death.