Here's a breakdown of what it means and how it fits into the context:
* "Upon the velvet sinking" refers to the speaker settling down into a plush, luxurious chair. The image is of a man seeking comfort and solace.
* "I betook myself to" means the speaker took himself to a specific place or activity.
In the context of the poem, the full line reads:
> "Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
> Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
> But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
> And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, 'Lenore?'
> This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, 'Lenore!'
> Merely this and nothing more.
>
> **Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
> Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.**
> **Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice;
> Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—
> Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
> 'Tis the wind and nothing more!"**
>
> Upon the velvet sinking I betook myself to dreaming,
> **Of the many things that were, of the many things that are,
> Of the many things that might be, and must be, in the future,
> But the raven still beguiled all my fancy, all my soul;
> **And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
> On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;**
> Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore.'
In this context, the speaker is trying to distract himself from the unsettling presence of the raven. He's seeking refuge in memories and dreams, hoping to forget the eerie visitor. The phrase "Upon the velvet sinking I betook myself to dreaming" highlights his desperate attempt to escape reality. He's trying to lose himself in the comfort of his plush chair, hoping to find solace in his memories and hopes for the future.
Key Takeaways:
* The line is a stark contrast to the speaker's initial curiosity and fear.
* It shows his attempt to find comfort and escape from the raven's unsettling presence.
* The imagery of "velvet sinking" contributes to the poem's overall atmosphere of luxury and despair.
Let me know if you have any other questions!