The World Summary

This poem is narrated by a masculine voice confused by the temptation presented by women. Women are seen in two different and contradictory ways. On one hand, women are sweet soft and loving. However, on the other hand they are evil temptresses whose darker side is revealed only at nighttime. The soft loving woman is deceptive, with the true face of women representing evil and sinful temptation.

The World Analysis

The World is Rossetti's interpretation of the fall of mankind and temptation. Erotic desire and romantic love are compared. Romantic love is symbolised by flowers. Erotic love is represented by images of monsters and evils. Her message is that both types of love are equally sinful and to give into temptation is to sin.