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About this quote

What does it mean?
Love is compared to a rose that has thorns but surpasses other virtuous flowers.
In plain terms
Love is beautiful like a rose but also has dangers that make it greater.
What can you take from it?
True love is valuable despite its risks.

Where it applies

  • discussing relationships
  • teaching about love
  • writing metaphors

Putting it to work

  • frame relationship advice
  • analyze literature
  • teach symbolism

Questions to consider

  • Can something be better because it hurts?
  • What makes love unique?

Another view

It assumes all love includes pain which is not always true.

More from Christina Rossetti

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  3. Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I: But when the trees bow down their heads The wind is passing by.

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