Title - As froth on the face of the deep

• The Title 'As froth on the face of the deep' immediately evokes something light, insubstantial, and fleeting — a metaphor for hope that is not rooted in God - Froth is the first thing to disappear when disturbed, suggesting how easily earthly attachments dissolve in the face of spiritual uncertainty - Rossetti uses the title to foreshadow the poem’s core message: without divine anchoring, human aspirations are short-lived and fragile
• The Title 'As froth on the face of the deep' and the “deep” in Christian theology often connotes the abyss, chaos, or the unknown - language found in Genesis and Psalms - By placing “froth” on the “face of the deep,” Rossetti may be referencing the superficiality of worldly hope in contrast to the vast, mysterious depths of divine power - The title becomes a spiritual contrast: the surface appearance of hope versus the profound reality of God's dominion
• The Title 'As froth on the face of the deep' and Phonetically, the title is soft and fluid — with "froth" "face", and "deep" producing a delicate, airy texture - This sonic fragility mirrors the theme of instability and adds to the poem’s reflective tone - Rossetti may be inviting the reader to dwell on the sensory experience of ephemerality, using language that feels as fragile as the imagery it evokes
• The Title 'As froth on the face of the deep' implies emptiness or excess without substance, as in something that looks impressive but lacks depth - Rossetti may be using this to critique false or misguided faith, or hope placed in temporal things - The title thus acts as a warning, encouraging readers to examine whether their beliefs are deeply rooted or merely superficial
• The Title 'As froth on the face of the deep' evokes the opening lines of Genesis 1:2, where the Earth is described as “without form and void” with "darkness upon the face of the deep", signifying a chaotic, formless state before God’s intervention - The "froth on the face of the deep" suggests the surface of this primordial chaos, where the Spirit of God moves to bring order and life - In this light, Rossetti’s title may serve as a commentary on human hope or aspiration, which, like froth on the deep, is insubstantial and fleeting until it is given purpose and meaning through divine intervention