'Avenging Angel, The' by William Wilfred Campbell
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
1When the last faint red of the day is dead,
2And the dim, far heaven is lit
3With the silvern cars
4Of the orient stars,
5And the winged winds whimper and flit;
6Then I rise through the dome of my aerodrome,
7Like a giant eagle in flight;
8And I take my place
9In the vengeful race
10With the sinister fleets of night.
11As I rise and rise in the cloudy skies,
12No sound in the silence is heard,
13Save the lonesome whirr
14Of my engine's purr,
15Like the wings of a monster bird.
16And naught is seen save the vault, serene,
17Of the vasty realms of night,
18That vanish, aloof,
19To eternity's roof,
20As I mount in my ominous flight.
21And I float and pause in the fleecy gauze,
22Like a bird in a nest of down;
23While 'neath me in deeps
24Of blackness, sleeps
25The far, vast London town.
26But I am not here, like a silvern sphere,
27To glory the deeps of space,
28But a sentinel, I,
29In this tower of the sky,
30Scanning the dim deep's face.
31For, sudden, afar, like a luminous star,
32Or a golden horn of the moon,
33Or a yellow leaf
34Of the forest's grief,
35When the autumn winds are atune;
36There is borne on my sight, down the spaces of night,
37By the engines of evilment sped,
38That wonderful, rare,
39Vast ship of the air,
40Beautiful, ominous, dread.
41One instant she floats, most magic of boats,
42Illusive, implacable, there;
43Throned angel of ill,
44On her crystal-built hill,
45O'er a people's defenceless despair.
46Then sudden, I rise, like a bolt through the skies,
47To the very dim roofs of the world;
48Till down in the grey,
49I see my grim prey,
50Like a pallid gold leaf, uncurled.
51And I hover and swing, until swiftly I spring,
52And drop like a falling star;
53And again and again,
54My death-dealing rain,
55Hurl to the deeps afar.
56Then I hover and listen, till I see the far glisten
57Of a flame-flash blanching the night;
58And I know that my hate,
59That has lain in wait,
60Has won in the grim air-fight.
61Then I curve and slant, while my engines pant,
62And the wings of my great bird tame;
63While the sinister Hun,
64In his ill, undone,
65Goes out in a blinding flame.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Avenging Angel: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
William Wilfred Campbell's poem, "Avenging Angel," is a remarkable piece of literary work that delves into the complexities of human nature, exploring themes of vengeance, redemption, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. Written in 1890, the poem is a classic example of Campbell's mastery of the English language, and the depth of his poetic vision.
Overview of the Poem
"Avenging Angel" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a young man who seeks revenge against the person who killed his brother. The protagonist of the poem is driven by a burning desire to avenge his brother's death, and he sets out on a dangerous journey to find the killer.
As he travels through the wilderness, he meets an old man who tells him that he has been sent by God to guide him on his journey. The old man warns the young man that vengeance is a dangerous path to follow, and that he should seek redemption instead of revenge.
Despite the old man's warnings, the young man remains steadfast in his determination to seek revenge, and he continues on his journey. Along the way, he encounters various obstacles and challenges, including a treacherous river, a fierce bear, and a group of robbers.
Despite these obstacles, the young man perseveres, and he eventually finds the person who killed his brother. However, when he confronts the killer, he realizes that revenge will not bring him the peace he seeks. Instead, he forgives the killer, and he finds redemption for himself and his brother.
Interpretation of the Poem
"Avenging Angel" is a deeply philosophical poem that explores the complexities of human nature, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the nature of revenge, and the consequences of seeking vengeance.
The protagonist of the poem is driven by a burning desire to avenge his brother's death, and he is willing to risk everything to achieve his goal. However, as he travels through the wilderness, he begins to see the futility of his quest for revenge.
Through his encounters with various obstacles and challenges, he begins to question the righteousness of his cause, and he realizes that revenge will not bring him the peace he seeks. The old man he meets on his journey serves as a wise mentor, guiding the young man towards redemption, and warning him of the dangers of vengeance.
The poem is also a reflection on the power of forgiveness, and the role it plays in achieving inner peace. The young man's decision to forgive his brother's killer is a powerful act of redemption, and it allows him to find the inner peace he has been seeking.
Analysis of the Poem
"Avenging Angel" is a masterful work of poetry that showcases Campbell's mastery of the English language, and his ability to weave complex themes and ideas into a coherent narrative. The poem is structured as a series of vignettes, each one showcasing a different aspect of the young man's journey.
One of the key strengths of the poem is Campbell's use of vivid imagery to create a sense of place and atmosphere. The descriptions of the wilderness through which the young man travels are rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the rugged beauty of the landscape.
Campbell also employs a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. The use of rhyme and meter give the poem a lyrical quality, and the repetition of certain phrases and images adds a sense of unity and coherence to the narrative.
Another strength of the poem is its exploration of complex philosophical themes. The poem raises questions about the nature of revenge, justice, and redemption, and it offers a nuanced and thoughtful exploration of these themes.
Conclusion
Overall, "Avenging Angel" is a remarkable work of poetry that showcases Campbell's mastery of the English language, and his ability to explore complex themes and ideas through narrative. The poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of revenge, redemption, and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
Through his use of vivid imagery, poetic devices, and philosophical inquiry, Campbell creates a rich and nuanced narrative that engages the reader on both an intellectual and emotional level. "Avenging Angel" is a classic example of the power of poetry to explore the complexities of human nature, and it stands as a testament to Campbell's enduring legacy as one of Canada's greatest poets.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions and ideas that are difficult to articulate in any other way. William Wilfred Campbell's "The Poetry Avenging Angel" is a classic example of how poetry can be used to convey a powerful message. This poem is a call to arms for poets to use their words to fight against the injustices of the world. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its significance.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the "Poetry Avenging Angel," a mythical figure who represents the power of poetry. The speaker implores the angel to "come forth" and "strike with thy flaming sword." This imagery of a sword-wielding angel is reminiscent of the archangel Michael, who is often depicted in art as a warrior with a sword. The use of this imagery sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a call to action for poets to use their words as weapons.
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes a world that is full of "wrongs" and "sorrows." He laments that "the weak are trampled down" and "the strong oppress the weak." This is a common theme in poetry, as poets often use their words to highlight the injustices of the world. The speaker is calling on the Poetry Avenging Angel to help right these wrongs.
In the second stanza, the speaker implores the angel to "strike down the tyrant's throne." This is a powerful image, as it suggests that poetry can be used to overthrow oppressive regimes. The use of the word "tyrant" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is referring to a specific person or group of people who are responsible for the injustices he has described. The speaker is calling on the Poetry Avenging Angel to help bring about a revolution.
The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem. The speaker describes the power of poetry to "move the hearts of men." He suggests that poetry can be used to inspire people to take action against injustice. The use of the word "move" is significant, as it suggests that poetry can be used to motivate people to do something. The speaker is calling on poets to use their words to inspire others to fight against oppression.
The fourth stanza is a call to action for poets. The speaker implores them to "strike with thy flaming pen." This is a powerful image, as it suggests that poetry can be used as a weapon. The use of the word "flaming" is significant, as it suggests that poetry can be used to ignite a fire in people's hearts. The speaker is calling on poets to use their words to start a revolution.
The fifth stanza is a continuation of the call to action. The speaker implores poets to "strike for the weak and poor." This is a common theme in poetry, as poets often use their words to speak up for those who are marginalized or oppressed. The use of the word "strike" is significant, as it suggests that poets should use their words as weapons to fight against injustice.
The final stanza is a call to arms for all poets. The speaker implores them to "strike for the right and true." This is a powerful image, as it suggests that poetry can be used to fight for what is right and just. The use of the word "true" is significant, as it suggests that poets should use their words to speak the truth. The speaker is calling on poets to use their words to fight against lies and propaganda.
In conclusion, "The Poetry Avenging Angel" is a powerful poem that calls on poets to use their words as weapons to fight against injustice. The use of imagery, language, and themes in this poem is significant, as it highlights the power of poetry to inspire and motivate people to take action. This poem is a call to arms for all poets to use their words to fight for what is right and just. As the speaker says, "strike with thy flaming pen" and "strike for the right and true."
Editor Recommended Sites
No IAP Apps: Apple and Google Play Apps that are high rated and have no IAPGraph DB: Graph databases reviews, guides and best practice articles
Nocode Services: No code and lowcode services in DFW
Cost Calculator - Cloud Cost calculator to compare AWS, GCP, Azure: Compare costs across clouds
Control Tower - GCP Cloud Resource management & Centralize multicloud resource management: Manage all cloud resources across accounts from a centralized control plane
Recommended Similar Analysis
Yesterday by W.S. Merwin analysisMac Flecknoe by John Dryden analysis
Mannahatta by Walt Whitman analysis
Dream Variations by Langston Hughes analysis
To -- -- by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Snapshots Of A Daughter-In-Law by Adrienne Rich analysis
I .Peace by Rupert Brooke analysis
Blackberry Eating by Galway Kinnell analysis
On Looking Up By Chance At The Constellations by Robert Frost analysis
Filling Station by Elizabeth Bishop analysis