'Captivity' by Robert Service
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O meadow lark, so wild and free,
It cannot be, it cannot be,
That men to merchandise your spell
Do close you in a wicker hell!
O hedgerow thrush so mad with glee,
it cannot be, it cannot be,
They rape you from your hawthorn foam
To make a cell of steel your home!
O blackbird in the orchard tree,
In cannot be, it cannot be,
That devils in a narrow cage
Would prison your melodic rage!
O you who live for liberty,
Can you believe that it can be,
That we of freedom's faith destroy
In dungeons, innocence and joy?
O decent folk who read this page,
If you should own a bird in cage,
Throw wide the door, - God gave it wings:
Then hear how in your heart it sings!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Captivity by Robert Service: A Captivating Poem
Oh, what a marvelous piece of literature Robert Service has left us with in the form of Captivity! It's a poem that tells a story of a man who's been captured by a tribe in Africa and his struggle to escape. This poem has been around for almost a century now, and yet it never seems to lose its charm. What makes it so special? Let's explore!
Overview
Captivity is a poem that consists of 12 stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in a simple and straightforward language, which makes it easy to understand. The story follows a man who's been captured by a tribe in Africa and is being held in captivity. The man is determined to escape and return to his home, and we follow him on his journey.
Themes
The themes of Captivity are not hard to miss. The poem touches on the themes of freedom, perseverance, and determination. The man in the poem is determined to escape his captivity, and he perseveres through all the difficulties that he faces. The poem also touches on the theme of imperialism, as we see the man's captors as a representation of the imperialistic powers of the time.
Analysis
Let's dive deeper into the poem and analyze it stanza by stanza.
My flocks are folded to a dreamless sleep,
By rustling poppies veil'd from curious moon,
And all the midnight world is mute and deep,
Safe in the arms of the hushed heart of June.
But in my heart a beast doth stir and rave,
Roaring for its lost freedom long ago,
And sends its hollow voice across the wave,
To break the dreaming of the Long Ago.
The poem starts with a serene scene, with the flocks asleep and the world quiet. However, in the second stanza, we see the man's heart, which is anything but serene. His heart is compared to a beast that has been captured and is roaring for its lost freedom. This sets the tone for the entire poem, as we see the man's struggle for freedom.
I hear the panting of the leopard's breath,
The stealthy padding of the tawny feet,
And sliming of the beast along the path,
That leads to where the drums of battle beat.
The drums beat on, a distant throbbing sound,
But close at hand the night is black and still,
And from the menacing shadows all around
I know that I am helpless, weak and ill.
In the second stanza, we see the man's captors in the form of a leopard. The description of the leopard's panting and the stealthy padding of its feet creates a sense of danger and fear. The man is aware of the danger that he is in, and he knows that he is helpless and weak.
I have no hope of mercy from my foe,
And in my heart no coward craven fear,
But ever and anon a nameless woe,
That makes my flesh to creep and brings a tear.
I think of home, of love, of all that's dear,
Of her who waits across the sea for me,
And in the place of freedom's ringing cheer
I hear the murmur of the dreaming sea.
In the third stanza, we see the man's emotions. He has no hope of mercy from his captors, but he is not afraid. Instead, he feels a nameless woe, which makes him think of home and his loved ones. The mention of the sea and the sound of its murmur creates a contrast with the man's current situation, as he is far from the freedom that the sea represents.
I dream of her who waits across the sea,
And in my dreams I hear her calling me,
And in my dreams I feel her kiss me sweet,
And in my dreams I am again complete.
But when I wake, the night is dark and still,
And all around the shadows faintly creep,
And in my heart the pain is sharp and chill,
And in my heart the tears are bitter deep.
In the fourth stanza, we see the man's dreams, where he is with his loved one. The dreams create a contrast with the man's current situation, as he is far from his loved one. When he wakes up, the pain of his captivity is sharp and bitter, and the tears that he sheds are deep.
I have no hope of mercy, no redress,
No hand to guide me through the lightless wild,
But in the depths of my despairing stress
I find a strength that makes me undefiled.
For death is nothing, freedom is a prize,
And though I die, my spirit shall arise,
And in the freedom of the open skies
Shall find the love that in my heart doth rise.
In the fifth stanza, we see the man's determination. He has no hope of mercy or redress, but he finds strength in his despair. He sees freedom as a prize worth dying for, and he believes that even in death, his spirit will find freedom and love.
I am a man, not doomed to lick the hand
Of any tyrant, be he beast or man,
And in my heart there is no base command,
But only that which noblest souls can scan.
So let them come, these dark and torturing days,
When all the world is mazed in war and strife,
For though they bind me with their knotted thongs,
My soul shall rise and conquer death and life.
In the sixth and final stanza, we see the man's defiance. He is not willing to submit to his captors, and he declares that he is a man, not a slave. He is determined to rise above his captivity and conquer death and life.
Interpretation
Captivity is a poem that touches on the themes of freedom, perseverance, and determination. The man in the poem is determined to escape his captivity, and he perseveres through all the difficulties that he faces. The poem also touches on the theme of imperialism, as we see the man's captors as a representation of the imperialistic powers of the time.
The poem can be interpreted as a critique of imperialism and the way it enslaves people. The man in the poem represents the colonized people who were forced into slavery by the imperialistic powers. The poem shows that even in captivity, the spirit of the colonized people was unbroken, and they were determined to rise above their captivity.
The poem can also be interpreted as a call for freedom and a reminder that freedom is a prize worth dying for. The man in the poem is willing to die for his freedom, and he sees death as a means of achieving freedom. The poem reminds us that freedom is not something that can be given, but it is something that must be fought for.
Conclusion
Captivity is a poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that tells a story of a man who's been captured and is determined to escape. The poem touches on the themes of freedom, perseverance, and determination, and it can be interpreted as a critique of imperialism and a call for freedom. The poem reminds us that freedom is a prize worth dying for and that even in captivity, the spirit of the colonized people was unbroken. Captivity is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to capture the human spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Captivity: A Poem of Survival and Resilience
Robert Service's poem "Captivity" is a powerful and moving account of one man's struggle to survive in the face of unimaginable hardship. Written in Service's signature style of simple yet evocative language, the poem tells the story of a man who is taken captive by a group of hostile natives and forced to endure a grueling journey through the wilderness. Despite the many challenges he faces, the man never loses hope or gives up, and ultimately emerges from his ordeal stronger and more resilient than ever before.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the man's capture, as he is "seized and bound" by the natives and forced to march through the wilderness. The imagery here is stark and brutal, with the man's captors portrayed as savage and merciless. Yet even in the face of this terrible situation, the man remains resolute and determined to survive. He refuses to give in to despair or self-pity, instead focusing all his energy on finding a way to escape.
As the poem progresses, we see the man facing a series of increasingly difficult challenges. He must endure hunger, thirst, and exhaustion as he marches through the wilderness, and he is constantly threatened by the hostile natives who surround him. Yet through it all, he never loses his sense of purpose or his will to survive. He is driven by a deep-seated desire to be free, and he refuses to let anything stand in his way.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Service portrays the man's inner strength and resilience. Despite the many hardships he faces, the man never gives up or loses hope. He is constantly searching for ways to improve his situation, whether it be by finding food and water or by attempting to escape from his captors. He is a true survivor, and his determination to overcome adversity is truly inspiring.
Another key theme of the poem is the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most difficult circumstances. The man's captors may have taken away his freedom, but they cannot take away his inner strength and resilience. He is a testament to the power of the human spirit to endure and overcome even the most trying of circumstances.
The poem also contains a powerful message about the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity. The man's journey is a testament to the fact that even the most difficult challenges can be overcome if we are willing to persevere and never give up. It is a message that is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience and determination in our own lives.
In conclusion, Robert Service's poem "Captivity" is a powerful and moving account of one man's struggle to survive in the face of unimaginable hardship. Through his vivid imagery and evocative language, Service captures the essence of the human spirit and the power of resilience and determination. It is a poem that speaks to us all, reminding us of the importance of never giving up and always striving to overcome even the most difficult of challenges.
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