'Our Hero' by Robert Service
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
"Flowers, only flowers -- bring me dainty posies,
Blossoms for forgetfulness," that was all he said;
So we sacked our gardens, violets and roses,
Lilies white and bluebells laid we on his bed.
Soft his pale hands touched them, tenderly caressing;
Soft into his tired eyes came a little light;
Such a wistful love-look, gentle as a blessing;
There amid the flowers waited he the night.
"I would have you raise me; I can see the West then:
I would see the sun set once before I go."
So he lay a-gazing, seemed to be at rest then,
Quiet as a spirit in the golden glow.
So he lay a-watching rosy castles crumbling,
Moats of blinding amber, bastions of flame,
Rugged rifts of opal, crimson turrets tumbling;
So he lay a-dreaming till the shadows came.
"Open wide the window; there's a lark a-singing;
There's a glad lark singing in the evening sky.
How it's wild with rapture, radiantly winging:
Oh it's good to hear that when one has to die.
I am horror-haunted from the hell they found me;
I am battle-broken, all I want is rest.
Ah! It's good to die so, blossoms all around me,
And a kind lark singing in the golden West.
"Flowers, song and sunshine, just one thing is wanting,
Just the happy laughter of a little child."
So we brought our dearest, Doris all-enchanting;
Tenderly he kissed her; radiant he smiled.
"In the golden peace-time you will tell the story
How for you and yours, sweet, bitter deaths were ours. . . .
God bless little children!" So he passed to glory,
So we left him sleeping, still amid the flow'rs.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Our Hero: A Poem Analysis
Oh boy, get ready to dive into the world of Robert Service's "Our Hero"! This classic poem has been studied and analyzed by many literary scholars over the years, and for good reason. It's a masterpiece that touches on themes of heroism, sacrifice, and selflessness. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at the poem's form, structure, language, and symbolism to uncover the deeper meanings behind it all.
Form and Structure
First off, let's talk about the form and structure of the poem. "Our Hero" is a ballad, which means it tells a story in a rhythmic, musical way. It's made up of four quatrains, or stanzas of four lines each, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. This gives the poem a sing-song quality that makes it easy to remember and recite.
But there's more to the structure of "Our Hero" than just its form. Each stanza tells a part of the story, building up to the climax in the final stanza. The first stanza introduces us to the hero, a soldier who's fighting in a war. The second stanza shows us how the hero is wounded in battle, but still manages to keep fighting. The third stanza reveals that the hero has sacrificed himself to save his friends. And finally, the fourth stanza delivers the heartbreaking news of the hero's death.
This structure is important because it allows the poem to tell a complete story in just sixteen lines. It also gives the poem a sense of progression, as we follow the hero's journey from beginning to end. But more than that, it creates a sense of inevitability. We know from the beginning that the hero is going to die, but we don't know how or why. By the time we get to the final stanza, we're emotionally invested in the hero's fate, and the news of his death hits us hard.
Language and Symbolism
Now let's take a closer look at the language and symbolism of "Our Hero." One of the things that makes this poem so powerful is the way it uses language to create vivid images and emotions. For example, in the first stanza, we're told that the hero is "a warrior stout and bold," and that he "led his men with a cheerful shout." These words create an image of a brave and charismatic leader, someone we can admire and look up to.
But it's not just the hero's words and actions that make him a hero. It's also the way he looks. In the second stanza, we're told that the hero is "pale and thin and wan," and that "all his wounds were in the front." These details create a sense of vulnerability and sacrifice. We can imagine the hero standing on the battlefield, wounded but still fighting, and it breaks our hearts.
The symbolism in "Our Hero" is also powerful. In the third stanza, we learn that the hero has sacrificed himself to save his friends. He "took a bomb -- and (he) threw it far," and in doing so, he saved the lives of his comrades. This act of selflessness is represented by the image of the hero throwing the bomb away from himself, like a football player throwing a pass. It's a small detail, but it's one that creates a visual metaphor for the hero's sacrifice.
Another important symbol in the poem is the "crown of thorns" that the hero wears in the final stanza. This image is a reference to the crown of thorns that Jesus wore before his crucifixion, and it's a powerful symbol of sacrifice and suffering. By wearing this crown, the hero becomes a Christ-like figure, someone who has suffered and died for the sake of others. It's a poignant and heartbreaking image, one that stays with us long after we've finished reading the poem.
Themes and Interpretation
So what are the themes of "Our Hero," and what do they mean? At its core, this poem is about heroism and sacrifice. It's about the men and women who put themselves in harm's way to protect others, and the sacrifices they make in the process. The hero of the poem is a symbol of this kind of selflessness, someone who's willing to give everything for the sake of his friends and comrades.
But there's more to the poem than just heroism and sacrifice. There's also a sense of tragedy and loss. The hero's death is a reminder that even the bravest and most selfless among us are mortal, and that the cost of war is often too high. The poem asks us to consider the worth of a single life, and whether any cause is worth the kind of sacrifice that the hero makes.
Ultimately, "Our Hero" is a poem about the human condition. It's about the capacity for bravery and selflessness that lies within all of us, and the deep sense of loss and sadness that comes with that kind of sacrifice. It's a poem that speaks to our shared humanity, and reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is hope and courage to be found.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Service's "Our Hero" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores themes of heroism, sacrifice, and selflessness. Through its form, structure, language, and symbolism, it creates a powerful and emotional connection with its readers, drawing us into the story of the hero and his sacrifice. It's a poem that speaks to the human experience, reminding us of our capacity for bravery and compassion, even in the face of the greatest challenges. If you haven't read "Our Hero" yet, I urge you to do so. It's a poem that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Our Hero: A Poem of Courage and Bravery
Robert Service's poem "Our Hero" is a classic piece of literature that tells the story of a brave and courageous man who risks his life to save others. The poem is a tribute to the heroism of ordinary people who, in times of crisis, rise to the occasion and become heroes. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with a description of the hero, who is "a man of iron will and steel." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the hero's strength and determination. The hero is described as "a giant in his might," suggesting that he is larger than life and capable of great feats.
The second stanza introduces the conflict of the poem, as the hero is faced with a dangerous situation. He is "called to battle with the foe," and must risk his life to save others. The language used in this stanza is powerful and evocative, with phrases like "the thunder of the guns" and "the scream of shot and shell" creating a sense of danger and urgency.
The third stanza describes the hero's actions in the face of this danger. He is "undaunted by the strife," and charges forward to save his comrades. The language used in this stanza is particularly vivid, with phrases like "he plunged into the fray" and "he fought with all his might" creating a sense of action and excitement.
The fourth stanza describes the hero's success in his mission. He "broke the enemy's line," and saved his comrades from certain death. The language used in this stanza is triumphant, with phrases like "he won the day" and "he saved the flag" emphasizing the hero's victory.
The final stanza of the poem is a tribute to the hero, as the speaker declares that "he was our hero." The language used in this stanza is reverent, with phrases like "we loved him for his might" and "we mourned him for his fall" emphasizing the hero's importance to those he saved.
One of the key themes of the poem is heroism, and the idea that ordinary people can become heroes in times of crisis. The hero of the poem is not a superhuman figure, but rather an ordinary man who rises to the occasion and becomes a hero through his actions. This theme is emphasized by the language used in the poem, which emphasizes the hero's strength and determination, but also his humanity.
Another theme of the poem is sacrifice, as the hero risks his life to save others. The language used in the poem emphasizes the danger of the situation, and the hero's willingness to face that danger in order to save his comrades. This theme is particularly relevant in times of war, when soldiers must risk their lives to protect their fellow soldiers and their country.
The structure of the poem is also worth noting, as it is a classic example of a narrative poem. The poem tells a story, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The conflict of the poem is introduced in the second stanza, and the hero's actions and success are described in the third and fourth stanzas. The final stanza provides a conclusion to the story, and a tribute to the hero.
The language used in the poem is also worth analyzing, as it is powerful and evocative. The use of alliteration, assonance, and rhyme creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, while also emphasizing key words and phrases. For example, the repetition of the "h" sound in the phrase "a man of iron will and steel" emphasizes the hero's strength and determination. The use of rhyme, such as "foe" and "go" in the second stanza, creates a sense of unity and coherence in the poem.
In conclusion, Robert Service's poem "Our Hero" is a classic piece of literature that celebrates the heroism of ordinary people. The poem tells a story of bravery and sacrifice, emphasizing the importance of courage and determination in times of crisis. The language used in the poem is powerful and evocative, creating a sense of rhythm and musicality that emphasizes key words and phrases. Overall, "Our Hero" is a timeless tribute to the heroism of those who risk their lives to save others.
Editor Recommended Sites
Quick Home Cooking Recipes: Ideas for home cooking with easy inexpensive ingredients and few stepsRust Book: Best Rust Programming Language Book
Labaled Machine Learning Data: Pre-labeled machine learning data resources for Machine Learning engineers and generative models
Cloud Data Mesh - Datamesh GCP & Data Mesh AWS: Interconnect all your company data without a centralized data, and datalake team
Startup Gallery: The latest industry disrupting startups in their field
Recommended Similar Analysis
Our Prayer Of Thanks by Carl Sandburg analysisIf I Could Tell You by W.H. Auden analysis
Farewell by Anne Brontë analysis
Forgetfulness by Hart Crane analysis
I 'll tell you how the sun rose, -- by Emily Dickinson analysis
A Lecture Upon The Shadow by John Donne analysis
Fern Hill by Dylan Thomas analysis
Love Among The Ruins by Robert Browning analysis
We Grow Accustomed To The Dark by Emily Dickinson analysis
It's all I have to bring today by Emily Dickinson analysis