The Troubles of an Aged PoetT. S. Eliot once said, “Only those who risk going too far can discover how far one can go.” He doesn't have this mindset when he creates his character for his poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." Prufrock is an old bachelor who longs for the love of a woman, but his shyness prevents him from uttering a word that goes beyond his double consciousness. Prufrock's lack of self-confidence, disbelief in finding a moral woman, and fear of rejection show us the internal struggle of the battle between a man's head and heart that ultimately leads to his death. Eliot incorporates the meaning behind the name of his only character. The "J" comes from John the Baptist; However, he hides this name to avoid criticism. Alfred, although a real name, is quite common. Prufrock is thought to mean a "puritan in a frock coat" (Deer 227). Touchstone, the court jester in Shakespeare's As You Like It, is the "hard rock" that can turn ore into gold. It is a metaphor for something of great quality such as wit or sagacity. However it is a parody; serves as a "whetstone for wits". the idea came from Shakespeare: "The dullness of the fool is the whetstone of wit." (Deer 228). Prufrock is also a parody of the "true lovers" that Touchstone talks about. Despite their similarities, he is not sure whether Prufrock understands the last two lines of Touchstone's song: "He whom the sweetest rose must find/must find the lovebird and Rosealind" (Deer 228). This is the white, multi-foliated rose of the blessed in Heaven depicted by Dante in Paradise. This white rose is the Christian Savior crowned with thorns, the “Rosalinda” (beautiful rose) of all “true lovers” (Deer 228). However, it is certain that Prufrock knows... halfway through the paper... that he doesn't stand a chance. he feels neglected and helpless. Eliot's man could only go as far as the coastline. Works Cited Cervo, Nathan A. "Eliot's The Love Song Of J. Alfred Prufrock." Explicator 57.4 (1999): 227. Literary Reference Center. Network. May 15, 2014.Cervo, Nathan A. "Eliot's THE LOVE SONG OF J. ALFRED PRUFROCK." Explicator 60.4 (2002): 207. Literary Reference Center. Network. May 15, 2014.McCormick, Frank J. “Eliot's THE LOVE SONG OF J. ALFRED PRUFROCK and Shakespeare's HAMLET.” Explainer 63.1 (2004): 43-47. Literary reference center. Network. May 15, 2014.Ledbetter, James H. “Eliot's Love Song by J. Alfred Prufrock.” Explicator 51.1 (1992): 41. Literary Reference Center. Network. 15 May 2014.Trevisan, Sara. "Eliot's The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock." Explainer 62.4 (2004): 221-223. Humanistic Source. Network. May 15 2014.