"Why does you sword so drip with blood,
Edward Edward,
Why does your sword so drip with blood,
And why so sad go ye, O?"
"Edward"
Anonymous
This poem is a conversation between a son and mother. The speaker switches about every 4 lines between the two. In the above excerpt, the image of the sword dripping with blood may represent guilt. Edward has killed his father ("O I have killed my father") and now he is going to face consequences. The poem repeats several lines numerous times throughout to emphasize the seriousness of the crime Edward has committed. Edward tries to hide his crime by saying it was a hawk or a steed. He finally admits to his mother that he has killed his father. The mother worries about what punishment awaits for him, what will happen to his children and wife, and what will happen to his occupation, rather than the fact that her husband has just been murdered. I suppose neither Edward nor his Mother cared too much for the father because there is little grief or sadness regarding his death. The main focus is that Edward will face hell for the crime that he has committed. This poem aims to show that you cannot escape the consequences of your actions.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Delight in Disorder
"I see a wild civility;
Do more bewitch me than when art
Is too precise in every part"
"Delight in Disorder"
Robert Herrick
This poem is full of oxymorons. For example, "sweet disorder," "fine distraction," and "wild civility." The purpose of these oxymorons is to reveal a truth about disorder. As the title claims, the speaker finds delight in disorder, which is why he claims it to be "sweet." He uses clothes as examples to portray his feelings about things being disorganized and disordered. The hastily-made clothing make for a unique appearance and "bewitch" the speaker. Instead of some ordinary, perfectly sewn, stream-lined outfit, this speaker prefers carelessness because it adds character. Art is all about deeper meanings and originality, so to have disorder makes it unique and different.
While I was reading this poem, I couldn't help but to think about abstract art, and how some artists seem to just throw paint sloppily onto a canvas. This speaker seems to be the kind of person that would deeply appreciate this type of art, because it does not follow normal rules of conformity about what is considered to be unique.
I think that this poem can apply to life in a broader sense too. Instead of being just about the beauty of disorderly clothing, it can also mean that in life we can be enthralled by things if we think about things deeper, and go off the "precise" and concrete viewpoint of everything, and search for a different way of looking at imperfections in life.
That time of year
"That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold"
"That time of year"
William Shakespeare
This poem is a sonnet, because it has 14 lines and it follows a certain rhyme scheme (abab, cdcd, efef, gg). There are three major images throughout this poem: a tree with dying autumn leaves hanging off of it, the twilight or nighttime, and a fire. The quote above provides imagery for the picture of the tree by stating that the leaves are "yellow" and that the tree may look rather dead because few leaves "do hang upon those boughs." The speaker provides a negative connotation to autumn, and views it as a time of death. The second image of darkness and night provides yet another image of death. He claims that night is "Death's second self," because the sun, which provides sunlight and helps things grow and live, disappears. The third image is a glowing fire. The fire represents death itself because it will eventually die out. The fire's flames are what keep it raging and continuing, and without them, it will burn out. I think this might be similar to how in life, we become older as time goes on, and eventually die when our time runs out. The last two lines are directed towards the speaker's lover and they mean to say that they must love one another before the fire goes out...before time escapes them and death comes upon them.
When yellow leaves, or none, or few do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold"
"That time of year"
William Shakespeare
This poem is a sonnet, because it has 14 lines and it follows a certain rhyme scheme (abab, cdcd, efef, gg). There are three major images throughout this poem: a tree with dying autumn leaves hanging off of it, the twilight or nighttime, and a fire. The quote above provides imagery for the picture of the tree by stating that the leaves are "yellow" and that the tree may look rather dead because few leaves "do hang upon those boughs." The speaker provides a negative connotation to autumn, and views it as a time of death. The second image of darkness and night provides yet another image of death. He claims that night is "Death's second self," because the sun, which provides sunlight and helps things grow and live, disappears. The third image is a glowing fire. The fire represents death itself because it will eventually die out. The fire's flames are what keep it raging and continuing, and without them, it will burn out. I think this might be similar to how in life, we become older as time goes on, and eventually die when our time runs out. The last two lines are directed towards the speaker's lover and they mean to say that they must love one another before the fire goes out...before time escapes them and death comes upon them.
Death, be not proud
"Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Might and dreadful, for thou art not so;"
"Death, be not proud"
John Donne
Question number 3 asks if the man is stating that death is not to be feared, or if he is trying to convince himself that there is no fear in death. This poem is most likely about a man of assured faith with a firm conviction that death is not to be feared. He is not afraid of death because he states things such as, "nor yet canst thou kill me," meaning he does not think death will actually kill himself- it will only kill his body. In the above excerpt, he claims that it's not might and dreadful too. He accepts that death is a part of life and regards it as "One short sleep passed," instead of a painful, miserable way to end life. The last line states, "thou shalt die," further conveying the point that the speaker does not fear death; he is aware that death is inevitable. The "soonest our best men with thee do go" means that everyone will face impending death someday, whether you are wealthy or poor, or sick or healthy. Overall, the speaker is claiming that death should not be proud because its power is rather limited, because it does not, in a sense, kill our souls. "We wake eternally" may imply that after death, an afterlife exists, such as Heaven or purgatory.
Might and dreadful, for thou art not so;"
"Death, be not proud"
John Donne
Question number 3 asks if the man is stating that death is not to be feared, or if he is trying to convince himself that there is no fear in death. This poem is most likely about a man of assured faith with a firm conviction that death is not to be feared. He is not afraid of death because he states things such as, "nor yet canst thou kill me," meaning he does not think death will actually kill himself- it will only kill his body. In the above excerpt, he claims that it's not might and dreadful too. He accepts that death is a part of life and regards it as "One short sleep passed," instead of a painful, miserable way to end life. The last line states, "thou shalt die," further conveying the point that the speaker does not fear death; he is aware that death is inevitable. The "soonest our best men with thee do go" means that everyone will face impending death someday, whether you are wealthy or poor, or sick or healthy. Overall, the speaker is claiming that death should not be proud because its power is rather limited, because it does not, in a sense, kill our souls. "We wake eternally" may imply that after death, an afterlife exists, such as Heaven or purgatory.
Lonely Hearts
"Can someone make my simple wish come true?"
"Lonely Hearts"
Wendy Cope
This poem shows different people advertising for someone to be in a relationship with. Each stanza includes a person with certain needs in a relationship. The first person, (lines 1-3) is most likely an athletic man who seeks a woman that enjoys the outdoors and sports. The second stanza introduces a person searching for someone who is not mainstream, like they are; someone who is into arts and cares deeply about certain issues such as gay marriage and eating as a vegetarian. The third person (lines 7-9) may be someone who has dated the same type of person for a long time, and it's not working out, so they are seeking something new-"Bisexual woman, arty, young." The fourth stanza shows the typical standards a person a may have for a relationship-someone who is intelligent, attractive, stable, and successful, or rich. The last person in lines 13-15 is most likely a younger person, who has not dated much, "inexperienced," and is asking for two specific things, "slim," and "non-smoker."
Throughout the poem the lines, "Can someone make my simple wish come true?" and "Do you live in North London? Is it you?" are repeated. This villanelle style of poetry is appropriate because the poem introduces different people with different needs, yet these quotes that are placed at the end of each stanza show that all these people have one thing in common: they all have hope that someone will come along to love them.
"Lonely Hearts"
Wendy Cope
This poem shows different people advertising for someone to be in a relationship with. Each stanza includes a person with certain needs in a relationship. The first person, (lines 1-3) is most likely an athletic man who seeks a woman that enjoys the outdoors and sports. The second stanza introduces a person searching for someone who is not mainstream, like they are; someone who is into arts and cares deeply about certain issues such as gay marriage and eating as a vegetarian. The third person (lines 7-9) may be someone who has dated the same type of person for a long time, and it's not working out, so they are seeking something new-"Bisexual woman, arty, young." The fourth stanza shows the typical standards a person a may have for a relationship-someone who is intelligent, attractive, stable, and successful, or rich. The last person in lines 13-15 is most likely a younger person, who has not dated much, "inexperienced," and is asking for two specific things, "slim," and "non-smoker."
Throughout the poem the lines, "Can someone make my simple wish come true?" and "Do you live in North London? Is it you?" are repeated. This villanelle style of poetry is appropriate because the poem introduces different people with different needs, yet these quotes that are placed at the end of each stanza show that all these people have one thing in common: they all have hope that someone will come along to love them.
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