'Hendecasyllabics' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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O you chorus of indolent reviewers,
Irresponsible, indolent reviewers,
Look, I come to the test, a tiny poem
All composed in a metre of Catullus,
All in quantity, careful of my motion,
Like the skater on ice that hardly bears him,
Lest I fall unawares before the people,
Waking laughter in indolent reviewers.
Should I flounder awhile without a tumble
Thro' this metrification of Catullus,
They should speak to me not without a welcome,
All that chorus of indolent reviewers.
Hard, hard, hard it is, only not to tumble,
So fantastical is the dainty meter.
Wherefore slight me not wholly, nor believe me
Too presumptuous, indolent reviewers.
O blatant Magazines, regard me rather -
Since I blush to belaud myself a moment -
As some rare little rose, a piece of inmost
Horticultural art, or half-coquette-like
Maiden, not to be greeted unbenignly.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry Analysis: Hendecasyllabics by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
If you're a literature enthusiast or just someone who enjoys reading poetry, you might have come across the works of Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Tennyson is one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian period, and his works continue to inspire and enlighten readers even today. One of his most famous poems is "Hendecasyllabics," a playful and lyrical piece that showcases Tennyson's wit and mastery of language.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, language, and structure of "Hendecasyllabics" and examine what makes it a timeless piece of poetry.
Themes
"Hendecasyllabics" is a poem that celebrates the joys of life and the beauty of nature. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and sensory language that transports the reader to a tranquil and idyllic world. The poem's themes are centered around the idea of enjoying life's simple pleasures, like the warmth of the sun, the sound of the ocean, and the beauty of the natural world.
The poem's opening lines set the tone for its themes, as Tennyson invites the reader to join him in a world of peace and tranquility:
O you chorus of indolent reviewers,
Irresponsible, indolent reviewers,
Look, I come to the test, a tiny poem
All composed in a metre of Catullus,
All in quantity, careful of my motion,
Like the skater on ice that hardly touches
The surface beneath him, full of lightness, lightness,
Full of a light desire for lightness,
Here, Tennyson addresses a group of reviewers who he believes are too lazy to truly engage with his work. He then introduces his poem, which he describes as a "tiny poem" that is "careful of my motion." Tennyson's use of the word "motion" is significant, as it suggests that the poem is a journey, and that the reader is invited to join him on this journey.
Throughout the poem, Tennyson celebrates the beauty of the natural world, and encourages the reader to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. He describes the warmth of the sun, the sound of the ocean, and the beauty of the flowers. His language is evocative and sensory, and it creates a vivid picture of the natural world in the reader's mind.
Language
Tennyson's use of language is one of the most impressive aspects of "Hendecasyllabics." The poem is composed in hendecasyllabic meter, which is a verse form that consists of lines with eleven syllables. Tennyson's mastery of this meter is evident throughout the poem, as he creates a musical and rhythmic quality that is both playful and elegant.
The poem's language is also infused with wit and humor. Tennyson playfully addresses his critics in the opening lines, and throughout the poem, he pokes fun at himself and his own writing. For example, he writes:
Oh, we'll walk along the level of the street
And to-morrow we shall have to climb a stair,
Or take a boat, and sail I know not where!
Here, Tennyson acknowledges the limitations of his own writing. He suggests that his poem is a simple thing, like walking along the level of the street, but that it may require effort or struggle, like climbing a stair or sailing a boat.
Tennyson's language is also infused with a sense of wonder and awe at the natural world. He writes:
And O the sea, the sea, the ever-sounding sea,
The symbol of a liquid mystery,
Ever the same, yet ever changing,
Wild, restless, deep beneath its seeming calm,
Like the great heart of man, when he lies down
To rest upon the bed of death,
When all his thoughts and deeds and words
Are gathered in one mighty reckoning,
Here, Tennyson celebrates the beauty and mystery of the sea. He describes it as a symbol of liquid mystery, and suggests that it is both wild and restless, yet also calm and serene. His language is evocative and sensory, and it creates a powerful image of the natural world in the reader's mind.
Structure
"Hendecasyllabics" is composed of twenty-four stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The poem is written in a consistent hendecasyllabic meter, which creates a musical and rhythmic quality. Tennyson also employs a consistent rhyme scheme throughout the poem, with the final word of each line rhyming with the final word of the third line in the preceding stanza.
The poem's structure is significant, as it creates a sense of movement and progression. Each stanza is like a step on a journey, and as the reader moves through the poem, they are carried along by the rhythm and musicality of the language.
The poem's structure also reflects its themes. Like the natural world that Tennyson celebrates, the poem is cyclical and ever-changing. The final stanza echoes the opening stanza, creating a sense of closure and completeness:
O sweet content,
O shoreless seas,
O sun and moon,
And you, O stars above us,
Why, when I think of you,
Unhappy, do you seem, O love?
Here, Tennyson returns to the themes of the opening stanza, celebrating the beauty of the natural world and the joys of life. Yet, he also introduces a new element, as he suggests that there is a sense of unhappiness or discontent even in the midst of this beauty. This final line is significant, as it suggests that even in the midst of joy, there is always a hint of sorrow or dissatisfaction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Hendecasyllabics" is a beautifully crafted poem that celebrates the natural world and the joys of life. Tennyson's mastery of language and meter is evident throughout the poem, as he creates a musical and lyrical quality that is both playful and elegant. The poem's structure reflects its themes, creating a sense of movement and progression that carries the reader along on a journey.
Overall, "Hendecasyllabics" is a timeless piece of poetry that continues to inspire and delight readers even today. Its themes and language are universal, and its message of finding joy in the simple pleasures of life is as relevant now as it was when Tennyson first wrote it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Hendecasyllabics: An Analysis of Tennyson's Masterpiece
Alfred, Lord Tennyson is one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era. His works are known for their lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and philosophical insights. Among his many masterpieces, Poetry Hendecasyllabics stands out as a shining example of his poetic genius. In this article, we will explore the meaning, structure, and significance of this remarkable poem.
First, let us consider the title. Hendecasyllabics refers to a poetic meter consisting of eleven syllables per line, which was popularized by the ancient Greek poet Catullus and later used by many European poets, including Tennyson. The word "poetry" in the title suggests that the poem is about the art of poetry itself, and indeed, the poem is a meditation on the nature and power of poetry.
The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing eleven lines of hendecasyllabic verse. The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDEDEE, with the last line of each stanza repeating the first line of the next stanza. This creates a sense of continuity and progression, as if the poem is a single, uninterrupted thought.
The first stanza sets the tone and theme of the poem:
"O you chorus of indolent reviewers, Irresponsible, indolent reviewers, Look, I come to the test, a tiny poem All composed in a metre of Catullus, All in quantity, careful of my motion, Like the skater on ice that hardly touches The surface, ere he strokes his way, compliant With the slip of his skates on the ice, so lightly, The while his arms enfold his body, so softly."
Here, Tennyson addresses the critics and reviewers who have dismissed his poetry as "indolent" and "irresponsible." He challenges them to judge his work fairly, and presents his poem as a "tiny" but carefully crafted piece of art, inspired by the ancient Roman poet Catullus. The metaphor of the skater on ice suggests the delicate balance and control required to create a successful poem, and the importance of rhythm and motion in poetry.
The second stanza continues the theme of the power of poetry:
"O swift wind! O space and time! Goths and Vandals, Whose coming is like the day of the judgment, To trench on the flower of our fame, Roar on, roll on."
Here, Tennyson invokes the forces of nature and history, which threaten to destroy the beauty and legacy of poetry. The Goths and Vandals represent the barbarian hordes who invaded and destroyed the Roman Empire, and by extension, the cultural heritage of Western civilization. The poet's task is to preserve and transmit this heritage through his art, despite the ravages of time and human folly.
The third stanza shifts to a more personal and introspective tone:
"O vanity! O fleetingness! O you who have felt what envious time can do, That he may make us like himself, himself, Against our ancient privilege of deity, Who in our first creation poured our souls Of finer essence than the common clay, And mortals, with their taint of earth about them, Yet dared to rank us, beings of the sky!"
Here, Tennyson reflects on the human condition and the transience of life. He laments the vanity and fleetingness of human existence, and the fact that time can reduce even the most exalted beings to dust. He also asserts the divine origin and nature of the human soul, which he sees as a reflection of the divine essence. This echoes the Platonic and Neoplatonic philosophy of the Renaissance, which held that the human soul is a spark of the divine fire, and that poetry is a means of reconnecting with the divine source.
The fourth stanza returns to the theme of poetry as a form of resistance against the forces of destruction:
"O sweetest song! O wisest words! O virtue, you are not a word, You are not a line, Nor a girl's gift, Nor a flower's wish, But a power divine, Moving the lips of gods in council."
Here, Tennyson celebrates the power of poetry to inspire and uplift the human spirit, and to connect us with the divine. He sees poetry as a form of virtue, which transcends mere words and images, and touches the very essence of our being. The metaphor of the "lips of gods in council" suggests that poetry is a means of accessing the wisdom and guidance of the divine, and of participating in the cosmic order.
The fifth stanza takes a more ironic and playful tone:
"O Celtic temperament! O British song! How rare it is to find them both in one, Like a jewel found on a pebble beach, Like a gold ring found in a river's mud, So rare, indeed, so very good, That he among us in whom we find them, We, in our wonder, call him poet."
Here, Tennyson acknowledges the unique and elusive nature of poetic talent, and the difficulty of finding it in the midst of the mundane and ordinary. He compares it to a precious jewel or a rare artifact, which requires a keen eye and a discerning taste to appreciate. The reference to the "Celtic temperament" and the "British song" suggests that Tennyson sees himself as a representative of the English poetic tradition, which he regards as a fusion of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon elements.
The final stanza brings the poem to a triumphant and exultant conclusion:
"O gift of God! O perfect day! Whereon shall no man work, but play, Whereon it is enough for me, Not to be doing, but to be! Through all the pent-up, overhanging night, My soul with rapture is filled, rapture divine!"
Here, Tennyson celebrates the gift of life and the joy of existence, which he sees as a divine blessing. He envisions a perfect day when work and play are one, and when the mere act of being is enough to fill the soul with rapture. The reference to the "pent-up, overhanging night" suggests the darkness and uncertainty of human existence, which can be overcome by the power of poetry and the divine grace.
In conclusion, Poetry Hendecasyllabics is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry, which combines lyrical beauty, philosophical depth, and emotional intensity. It is a meditation on the nature and power of poetry, and a celebration of the human spirit and the divine essence. Tennyson's use of the hendecasyllabic meter, the repetition of the first and last lines of each stanza, and the rich imagery and metaphorical language, create a sense of unity and coherence, and convey the poet's message with clarity and force. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry, and a tribute to the genius of Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
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