Title - Twice

• The Title 'Twice' foregrounds the speaker’s twofold plea—first to a human lover and then to God - signifying a movement from earthly desire to spiritual salvation - This dual structure highlights the contrast between flawed human judgement and divine compassion - The repetition implies not just a second chance, but a redirection of hope from the temporal to the eternal
• The Title 'Twice' alludes to the recurring nature of female silencing, as the speaker must appeal twice to be heard, symbolising the systemic marginalisation of women’s voices - The necessity of repetition underscores the societal expectation that women must seek male validation before asserting autonomy - Rossetti critiques this gendered imbalance by showing that only divine love grants the speaker full recognition and worth
• The Title 'Twice' can be interpreted as a metaphor for spiritual rebirth, echoing Christian themes of redemption and renewal - The first offering of the heart results in rejection, while the second results in acceptance, echoing the biblical notion of being "born again" - This shift implies a deeper, more meaningful transformation than the initial emotional wound suggests
• The Title 'Twice' signifies emotional progression—from naïve infatuation to mature devotion - The first plea is marked by vulnerability and idealism, whereas the second is informed by suffering and faith - This evolution mirrors Rossetti’s own life choices, where emotional restraint and spiritual commitment superseded romantic entanglement
• The Title 'Twice' reflects the poem’s symmetrical construction, with each half mirroring the other in form but diverging in tone and intent - The repetition of the act of offering the heart suggests a meditation on recurrence, reflection, and ultimately transformation - Through this symmetry, Rossetti creates a balanced yet contrasting exploration of love’s impermanence and faith’s constancy