Edward

Surprise, surprise, this poem also has a villanelle pattern.  The lines can be expressed as A, B, A (repeated), C, D, E, D (repeated), F.  I feel that this is a very awkward repetition pattern.  In the poem, Edward starts out lying to his mom when she asks him questions.  Then, he says that he killed his father.  The mother asks what punishment or "penance" he will give himself, and he said get on a boat and go far away.  When he does this, he will leave his wife, kids, and mother behind with nothing.  I think this is rude and selfish as he said they will have to beg for want they want.  At the end of the poem, Edward curses his mother because of the advice she gave him.  First of all, when did she give him any advice?  All I thought she was doing was asking questions.  I think Edward is a king because the mother says, "And what will ye do with your towers and your hall."  The towers and hall belong to him.