Poe suffered from recurrent depression, suggesting a bipolar disorder, as well as alcohol and drug abuse, which in fact led to his death from complications related to alcoholism. Various hypotheses were put forward, including Wernicke's encephalopathy. Poe's desire to write and his attraction to art and culture seems natural given his parents both worked as actors in the theatre. His father abandoned the family a year after Edgar was born and his mother died a year later, leaving him orphaned. Though his foster family never formally adopted him and were always detached, he remained with them until his early adulthood, with their begrudging support of his desire for college studies despite frequent clashes about financial obligations.
Sometimes it may be hard to understand the old English Shakespeare uses. Hearing the words out loud can make the sentances sound clearer and flow better. Even try readong the parts in different voices to make it fun!
I think the reader can infer that Sylvia is a little bit afraid of the hunters gun but is still drawn to even over her fear her womanly instincts take over. Hope this helps:)
