Emblems of Love

"Emblems of Love" by Lascelles Abercrombie is a collection of poetic writings set around the early 1900s that focuses on love, beauty, and what it means to be human. The book presents characters in different scenarios to investigate these ideas, featuring characters such as Vashti and Ahasuerus. It combines descriptive language with thought-provoking ideas, encouraging readers to think about the complicated nature of love and how it affects our lives. In the beginning, the scene shows Brys and Gast, two warriors talking about the wolves that threaten them in the dark of night. Their talk shows their different views on fear and the world around them; Brys is proud of and finds joy in the fear caused by stars, but Gast warns of the danger they present. Then, the story moves to Vashti, who is talking with King Ahasuerus, examining their relationship through ideas of love and power. Through Vashti's powerful words, the book asks important questions about the roles of men and women, what love really is, and how our spiritual and physical selves connect in relationships. This beginning sets up the themes that promise a careful examination of love's many different aspects.