'Lowly Laureate' by Robert Service


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O Sacred Muse, my lyre excuse! -
My verse is vagrant singing;
Rhyme I invoke for simple folk
Of penny-wise upbringing:
For Grannies grey to paste away
Within an album cover;
For maids in class to primly pass,
And lads to linger over.

I take the clay of every day
And mould it in my fashion;
I seek to trace the commonplace
With humor and compassion.
Of earth am I, and meekly try
To be supremely human:
To please, I plan, the little man,
And win the little women.

No evil theme shall daunt my dream
Of fellow-love and pity;
I tune my lute to prostitute,
To priest I pipe my ditty.
Through gutter-grime be in my rhyme,
I bow to altars holy. . . .
Lord, humble me, so I may be
A Laureate of the Lowly.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Lowly Laureate by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Robert Service is known for his ability to capture the essence of the common man and the struggle of the working-class. His poem, Lowly Laureate, is a testament to his genius as a poet and his ability to convey complex emotions through simple language. In this essay, we will explore the theme, structure, and literary devices used in Lowly Laureate and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.

Theme

At its core, Lowly Laureate is a poem about the struggle of the poet to be recognized and appreciated by society. The poem is a commentary on the relationship between the artist and the people who consume their art. The poet is portrayed as a lowly figure, struggling to make ends meet, while the people who enjoy his work do not understand the effort and sacrifice that goes into creating it. The poem is a meditation on the value of art and the role of the artist in society.

Structure

Lowly Laureate is a poem in free verse, which means it does not conform to a specific rhyme scheme or meter. The lack of a strict form allows Service to experiment with the structure of the poem and create a sense of fluidity and spontaneity. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the poet and his struggles. The second stanza describes the people who consume the poet's work and their indifference to his plight. The third stanza is a reflection on the value of art and the role of the artist in society. The final stanza is a call to action, urging the reader to appreciate the value of art and respect the work of the artist.

Literary Devices

Service uses a variety of literary devices to convey the themes of the poem. One of the most prominent devices used in the poem is imagery. The poet creates vivid images that evoke the emotions and struggles of the lowly laureate. For example, the lines "I've known the hunger of the squallid room,/ where cold and dread and loneliness abide" create a vivid image of the poverty and isolation that the poet experiences. The use of alliteration in the lines "Dolt and dunce and lout/ guffaw the jester's wit" creates a sense of mockery and disdain, emphasizing the indifference of the people towards the poet.

Service also uses repetition throughout the poem. The repetition of the phrase "I am a lowly laureate" emphasizes the poet's sense of humility and his struggle for recognition. The repetition of the phrase "they do not know" emphasizes the gap between the poet and the people who consume his work. The repetition of the phrase "the world should know" emphasizes the importance of art and the role of the artist in society.

Another literary device used in the poem is metaphor. The poet compares the struggle of the lowly laureate to the struggles of other oppressed groups. For example, the line "I share the exile of the Jew" compares the poet's struggle to the struggle of the Jewish people throughout history. The line "I share the shackles of the slave" compares the poet's struggle to the struggle of enslaved people throughout history. These metaphors create a sense of solidarity between the poet and other oppressed groups.

Interpretation

Lowly Laureate is a powerful commentary on the value of art and the role of the artist in society. The poem emphasizes the struggle of the lowly laureate, who is often ignored and undervalued by society. The poet creates a vivid image of the poverty and isolation that the artist experiences, emphasizing the sacrifice and effort that goes into creating art.

The poem also critiques the people who consume the artist's work. The poet portrays them as indifferent and ignorant of the artist's struggle, emphasizing the gap between the artist and the people who consume their work. The poem urges the reader to appreciate the value of art and respect the work of the artist.

Lowly Laureate is a timeless poem that speaks to the struggles of artists throughout history. The poem's themes are still relevant today, as artists continue to struggle for recognition and respect in a society that often undervalues their work. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to recognize the value of art and to support the artists who create it.

In conclusion, Lowly Laureate is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the struggles and emotions of the artist. The poem's themes of poverty, isolation, and struggle are conveyed through vivid imagery, repetition, and metaphor. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to appreciate the value of art and to respect the work of the artist. Service's poem is a testament to the enduring power of art and the important role that artists play in society.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Lowly Laureate: A Masterpiece of Robert Service

Robert Service is a name that needs no introduction in the world of poetry. He is known for his unique style of writing that captures the essence of human emotions and experiences. One of his most famous poems, Lowly Laureate, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its meaning and significance.

The poem Lowly Laureate is a tribute to the life of a poet. It is a reflection on the struggles and hardships that a poet faces in his quest for recognition and fame. The poem is written in the first person, which gives it a personal touch and makes it more relatable to the reader. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to come:

"I am the laureate of the lowly: The poet of the rejected and despised, The bard of the gutter, the scribe of the alley, The master of the songs that no one prizes."

These lines establish the theme of the poem, which is the celebration of the poet who writes for the common man. The poet is not concerned with fame or fortune, but with the expression of his art. He writes for the rejected and despised, for those who are forgotten by society. He is the voice of the people who have no voice.

The poem goes on to describe the life of the poet. He lives a simple life, with no luxuries or comforts. He is not interested in material possessions, but in the beauty of the world around him. He finds inspiration in the simplest of things, like the sound of the rain or the rustling of the leaves. He is a true artist, who sees the world in a different light.

The poem also touches upon the struggles that a poet faces in his quest for recognition. The poet is often rejected by society, and his work is not appreciated. He is seen as a lowly figure, who has no place in the world of the elite. But the poet does not give up. He continues to write, even in the face of rejection. He knows that his work is important, and that it will one day be recognized.

The poem reaches its climax in the final stanza, where the poet declares:

"I am the laureate of the lowly, And though my songs may never win the prize, I know that they will live forever holy, For they are born of love that never dies."

These lines are a testament to the power of poetry. The poet may never win the prize, but his work will live on forever. It is a testament to the enduring nature of art, and the impact that it can have on the world. The poet may be lowly, but his work is holy.

In conclusion, Lowly Laureate is a masterpiece of Robert Service. It is a tribute to the life of a poet, and a celebration of the power of poetry. The poem captures the struggles and hardships that a poet faces in his quest for recognition, and the enduring nature of art. It is a reminder that even the lowliest of figures can have a profound impact on the world. Robert Service has truly captured the essence of the poet in this classic poem, and it will continue to inspire generations to come.

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