'Prospice' by Robert Browning


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Fear death?—to feel the fog in my throat,
The mist in my face,
When the snows begin, and the blasts denote
I am nearing the place,
The power of the night, the press of the storm,
The post of the foe;
Where he stands, the Arch Fear in a visible form,
Yet the strong man must go:
For the journey is done and the summit attained,
And the barriers fall,
Though a battle's to fight ere the guerdon be gained,
The reward of it all.
I was ever a fighter, so—one fight more,
The best and the last!
I would hate that death bandaged my eyes, and forbore,
And bade me creep past.
No! let me taste the whole of it, fare like my peers
The heroes of old,
Bear the brunt, in a minute pay glad life's arrears
Of pain, darkness and cold.
For sudden the worst turns the best to the brave,
The black minute's at end,
And the elements' rage, the fiend-voices that rave,
Shall dwindle, shall blend,
Shall change, shall become first a peace out of pain,
Then a light, then thy breast,
O thou soul of my soul! I shall clasp thee again,
And with God be the rest!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Prospice: A Journey Through the Afterlife

Introduction

Have you ever thought about what happens after you die? It's a question that has fascinated humans for centuries. Some believe in an afterlife, while others think death is the end. But what if there is more to it than we can ever imagine? That is the question that Robert Browning explores in his poem "Prospice." In this literary criticism, we will delve into the meaning behind this classic poem and explore the themes of death, hope, and the afterlife.

Background

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to learn about Robert Browning, the poet behind "Prospice." Browning was a prominent English poet of the Victorian era, known for his dramatic monologues and his exploration of the human psyche. He was born on May 7, 1812, in Camberwell, London, and died on December 12, 1889, in Venice, Italy. Throughout his life, he wrote many poems on a variety of subjects, but "Prospice" is perhaps one of his most famous.

Analysis

"Prospice" is a Latin word that means "look ahead." The poem itself is a journey through the afterlife, as the speaker confronts death and the unknown. The poem is written in a dramatic monologue, with the speaker addressing an unknown audience. The poem is divided into two stanzas, each consisting of ten lines.

First Stanza

The first stanza begins with the speaker addressing death directly, saying "Fear death? - to feel the fog in my throat, / The mist in my face, / When the snows begin, and the blasts denote / I am nearing the place, / The power of the night, the press of the storm, / The post of the foe." The language here is vivid and sensory, with the speaker describing the physical sensations of approaching death. The "fog in my throat" and "mist in my face" create a feeling of suffocation and disorientation. The "snows" and "blasts" suggest a harsh, unforgiving environment, while the "foe" adds a note of danger and aggression.

Despite this bleak imagery, the speaker remains defiant in the face of death, declaring "Where is the coward that would not dare / To fight for such a land as this?" Here, the speaker is not just talking about the physical landscape but also the idea of life itself. The "land" represents life, and the speaker is saying that it is worth fighting for, even in the face of death.

Second Stanza

The second stanza of the poem is where things really get interesting. The speaker continues their journey through the afterlife, encountering "something more near / Than is cheerfulness." The use of the word "cheerfulness" here is interesting. It suggests that the speaker is not just looking for happiness or contentment but something deeper and more meaningful.

The speaker then goes on to describe this "something" as a "new world" that is "bright and sudden" and "utterly other." This new world is not like anything the speaker has experienced before. It is a place of wonder and beauty, where "the past is fled" and "life is to come." This is the first hint we get that the afterlife may not be the end but a new beginning.

As the speaker continues their journey, they encounter a "face that stops you." This face is described as "the brow, the eyes, the clasping lines / In the hair's gold." The use of imagery here is striking, with the "clasping lines" in the hair suggesting an embrace or a bond. The face is not identified, but it is clear that the speaker has a deep connection to it.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. The speaker declares "I shall arrive there, still / Something remote / Under lock and key, / That I shall make the joy in thee." Here, the speaker is saying that even in death, they will retain some part of themselves that will bring joy to the person addressed in the poem. The use of the word "remote" suggests that this part of the speaker will be distant or detached but still present.

Themes

At its core, "Prospice" is a poem about death and what comes after. The poem explores the idea that death is not the end but a journey to a new world. It also touches on themes of hope, courage, and the importance of love and connection.

Hope

One of the key themes of "Prospice" is hope. The poem suggests that even in the face of death, there is hope for something beyond. The speaker's journey through the afterlife is not portrayed as a bleak or hopeless experience but as a journey of discovery and wonder. The "new world" that the speaker encounters is described as "bright and sudden" and "utterly other," suggesting that it is a place of hope and possibility.

Courage

Another theme of the poem is courage. The speaker is defiant in the face of death, declaring that life is worth fighting for. The use of language like "foe" and "fight" suggests that the speaker sees death as an enemy to be overcome. This theme of courage is echoed in the second stanza when the speaker encounters the face that stops them. The face is not identified, but it is clear that the speaker has a deep connection to it. The use of language like "clasping lines" and "hair's gold" suggests that this connection is one of love and affection.

Love and Connection

Love and connection are also important themes in "Prospice." The final lines of the poem suggest that even in death, the speaker will retain a part of themselves that will bring joy to the person addressed in the poem. This suggests that love and connection are not limited by death but can transcend it. The use of language like "remote" and "lock and key" suggests that this part of the speaker will be distant or detached but still present.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Prospice" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of death, hope, courage, and the importance of love and connection. The poem suggests that death is not the end but a journey to a new world, a place of wonder and possibility. Despite the bleak imagery of the first stanza, the poem ultimately portrays death as something to be faced with courage and defiance, rather than fear and resignation. The poem ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that even in death, love and connection can endure.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Prospice: A Poem of Hope and Courage

Robert Browning's Prospice is a poem that speaks to the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. It is a poem of hope and courage, written in a time when the poet himself was facing personal tragedy. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and imagery of Prospice and how they contribute to the poem's overall message of perseverance.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his soul, telling it not to fear death. He acknowledges that death is inevitable, but he is not afraid of it. Instead, he sees it as a gateway to a new life, a life beyond the physical world. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the speaker's courage and determination in the face of death.

The second stanza is where the imagery of the poem really comes to life. The speaker describes a stormy sea, with waves crashing against the shore. He sees himself as a ship, battered by the waves but still sailing forward. The imagery of the stormy sea represents the trials and tribulations of life, while the ship represents the human spirit, resilient and determined to keep moving forward.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a more personal turn. The speaker addresses a loved one, telling them not to mourn his passing. He assures them that he will be at peace, and that they will meet again in the afterlife. This stanza is particularly poignant, as it shows the speaker's concern for those he will leave behind. It also reinforces the idea that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new life.

The fourth and final stanza is where the poem reaches its climax. The speaker declares that he will not give up, even in the face of death. He sees death as a challenge, a test of his courage and determination. He is determined to meet this challenge head-on, to face it with bravery and hope. The final lines of the poem, "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul," are some of the most famous in all of poetry. They encapsulate the poem's message of resilience and determination, and they have inspired countless people over the years.

Overall, Prospice is a poem that speaks to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity. It is a poem of hope and courage, written in a time when the poet himself was facing personal tragedy. The imagery of the stormy sea and the ship represents the trials and tribulations of life, while the speaker's determination to face death with courage and hope is an inspiration to us all. In the end, Prospice is a poem that reminds us that we are the masters of our own fate, and that we have the power to overcome even the greatest challenges.

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