'Mourning' by Andrew Marvell


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You, that decipher out the Fate
Of humane Off-springs from the Skies,
What mean these Infants which of late
Spring from the Starrs of Chlora's Eyes?

Her Eyes confus'd, and doubled ore,
With Tears suspended ere they flow;
Seem bending upwards, to restore
To Heaven, whence it came, their Woe.

When, molding of the watry Sphears,
Slow drops unty themselves away;
As if she, with those precious Tears,
Would strow the ground where Strephon lay.

Yet some affirm, pretending Art,
Her Eyes have so her Bosome drown'd,
Only to soften near her Heart
A place to fix another Wound.

And, while vain Pomp does her restrain
Within her solitary Bowr,
She courts her self in am'rous Rain;
Her self both Danae and the Showr.

Nay others, bolder, hence esteem
Joy now so much her Master grown,
That whatsoever does but seem
Like Grief, is from her Windows thrown.

Nor that she payes, while she survives,
To her dead Love this Tribute due;
But casts abroad these Donatives,
At the installing of a new.

How wide they dream! The Indian Slaves
That sink for Pearl through Seas profound,
Would find her Tears yet deeper Waves
And not of one the bottom sound.

I yet my silent Judgment keep,
Disputing not what they believe:
But sure as oft as Women weep,
It is to be suppos'd they grieve.


Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Mourning by Andrew Marvell: A Poignant Exploration of Grief

As a literary critic and lover of poetry, I find Andrew Marvell's "Mourning" to be an exceptional piece of literature that brilliantly captures the essence of grief. The poem's brevity is matched only by its profoundness, and every line seems to drip with emotion and meaning.

In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the themes, imagery, and language of "Mourning" to uncover its hidden meanings and explore the ways in which Marvell uses poetry to express the depths of human emotion.

Overview of the Poem

"Mourning" is a short, four-stanza poem that explores the theme of loss and grief. The poem is structured in a way that creates a sense of progression, with each stanza building on the previous one to form a powerful narrative of mourning.

In the first stanza, Marvell sets the stage for the poem by introducing the idea of loss. The speaker laments the death of a loved one and compares the experience to being "robbed" of something precious. The second stanza is more introspective, with the speaker reflecting on the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of life. In the third stanza, the speaker turns to nature for comfort, finding solace in the cyclical pattern of the seasons. Finally, in the fourth stanza, the speaker comes to terms with their loss, accepting that death is a natural part of life and vowing to cherish the memories of their loved one.

The Theme of Loss and Grief

At its heart, "Mourning" is a poem about loss and grief. Marvell uses the death of a loved one as a way to explore the complex emotions that come with loss. The speaker's grief is palpable throughout the poem, and every line seems to express a different aspect of their pain.

One of the most striking things about "Mourning" is the way in which Marvell captures the sense of loss. The speaker compares their grief to being "robbed," a metaphor that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of having something taken away from you without warning or reason. The use of the word "robbed" also implies a sense of violence, suggesting that death is a cruel and unjust act.

This idea is further reinforced in the second stanza, where the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death. They describe life as a "short, uncertain lease," and compare human beings to "a bubble or a glass." These metaphors create a sense of fragility and impermanence, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.

Nature as a Source of Comfort

In the third stanza, the speaker turns to nature for solace. They describe the changing seasons as a way of finding comfort in the cyclical pattern of life. The line "no spring nor summer beauty hath such grace / as I have seen in one autumnal face" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that even in death there is beauty to be found.

The use of natural imagery throughout the poem serves to highlight the contrast between the natural world and the world of human beings. While humans are mortal and subject to the whims of fate, nature is eternal and unchanging. This contrast creates a sense of perspective, reminding the speaker that their grief is just one small part of the larger cycle of life and death.

The Power of Poetry

Finally, it is worth noting the power of poetry itself in "Mourning." The act of writing poetry is often seen as a way of processing emotions and coming to terms with difficult experiences. Marvell's poem is no exception, and the act of writing about grief is itself a way of coping with loss.

The language of the poem is also noteworthy. Marvell's use of metaphors and vivid imagery creates a sense of emotional intensity that is often difficult to capture in prose. The rhyme scheme and meter of the poem also contribute to its power, creating a sense of rhythm and flow that echoes the natural cycles of life and death.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Mourning" is a powerful and poignant exploration of grief that uses the death of a loved one as a way of exploring the complex emotions that come with loss. Marvell's use of metaphor, imagery, and language creates a sense of emotional intensity that is both moving and thought-provoking. By turning to nature for comfort and using poetry as a way of coping with grief, the speaker is able to come to terms with their loss and find a sense of peace in the face of death.

Overall, I believe that "Mourning" is a masterpiece of poetry that deserves to be studied and appreciated by anyone interested in literature, emotion, and the human experience. Whether you have experienced loss yourself or simply appreciate the power of great poetry, this poem is not to be missed.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Andrew Marvell's "Mourning" is a classic poem that explores the themes of grief, loss, and the inevitability of death. Written in the 17th century, the poem is a poignant reflection on the human condition and the transience of life. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's structure, language, and imagery to uncover its deeper meanings and significance.

Structure

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four stressed syllables. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality that is both soothing and mournful. The repetition of the rhyme scheme and meter creates a sense of continuity and unity, which is fitting for a poem about mourning and loss.

Language

The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet it is also rich in metaphor and symbolism. The first stanza begins with the line, "No sooner had the earth her bodies laid," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "bodies" instead of "dead" or "corpses" is significant because it emphasizes the physicality of death. The earth is not just burying people, but it is burying their bodies, which suggests that there is something more to a person than just their physical form.

The second stanza continues this theme with the line, "The sun in haste to rise, / Took in the world, and shone the heavens through." This line is a metaphor for the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The sun rises every day, and it will continue to rise long after we are gone. The fact that the sun "took in the world" suggests that it is all-encompassing and all-powerful, which is a reminder of our own mortality.

The final stanza is perhaps the most powerful in terms of language. It begins with the line, "But oh! she hurried so away," which is a reference to death. The use of the word "she" is significant because it personifies death as a woman. This is a common literary device, but it is particularly effective in this poem because it adds a sense of urgency and inevitability to the theme of death. The final two lines of the poem are also significant: "As if she scorned the world, and haste / Took wings of winds, or chariot of the sun." These lines suggest that death is not just a natural process, but it is also a force that is beyond our control. The fact that death "scorns the world" suggests that it is indifferent to our desires and wishes.

Imagery

The imagery in the poem is both vivid and haunting. The first stanza contains the line, "The earth her bodies laid," which is a powerful image of burial. The use of the word "laid" suggests a sense of finality and rest, but it also suggests a sense of violence and force. The earth is not gently placing bodies in the ground, but it is laying them down with a sense of urgency and inevitability.

The second stanza contains the image of the sun rising and "shone the heavens through." This is a beautiful image that suggests a sense of hope and renewal. However, it is also a reminder that life goes on even after we are gone. The fact that the sun "shone the heavens through" suggests that there is something beyond our physical existence.

The final stanza contains the image of death "hurrying away" and taking "wings of winds, or chariot of the sun." This is a powerful image that suggests a sense of speed and urgency. The fact that death is taking "wings of winds" suggests that it is a force of nature, while the reference to the "chariot of the sun" suggests that it is also a divine force.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Andrew Marvell's "Mourning" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of grief, loss, and the inevitability of death. The poem's structure, language, and imagery all work together to create a sense of continuity and unity. The language is simple yet rich in metaphor and symbolism, while the imagery is both vivid and haunting. The poem is a reminder that death is a natural process, but it is also a force that is beyond our control. Ultimately, the poem is a reflection on the human condition and the transience of life.

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