'TO HIS DYING BROTHER, MASTER WILLIAM HERRICK' by Robert Herrick


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Life of my life, take not so soon thy flight,
But stay the time till we have bade good-night.
Thou hast both wind and tide with thee; thy way
As soon dispatch'd is by the night as day.
Let us not then so rudely henceforth go
Till we have wept, kiss'd, sigh'd, shook hands, or so.
There's pain in parting, and a kind of hell
When once true lovers take their last farewell.
What? shall we two our endless leaves take here
Without a sad look, or a solemn tear?
He knows not love that hath not this truth proved,
Love is most loth to leave the thing beloved.
Pay we our vows and go; yet when we part,
Then, even then, I will bequeath my heart
Into thy loving hands; for I'll keep none
To warm my breast, when thou, my pulse, art gone,
No, here I'll last, and walk, a harmless shade,
About this urn, wherein thy dust is laid,
To guard it so, as nothing here shall be
Heavy, to hurt those sacred seeds of thee.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"To His Dying Brother, Master William Herrick" by Robert Herrick: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Are you looking for a poem that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you in awe of the power of love and family? Look no further than Robert Herrick's "To His Dying Brother, Master William Herrick." This emotional and haunting poem captures the essence of brotherly love and the pain of loss in a way that is both timeless and relatable.

Background Information

Before diving into the poem itself, it's important to understand a bit about the author and the historical context in which the poem was written. Robert Herrick was a 17th century English poet who is best known for his collection of poems entitled "Hesperides." "To His Dying Brother, Master William Herrick" was included in this collection and was likely written between 1629 and 1648.

During this time period, England was undergoing significant political and social changes. The country was in the midst of a civil war, and tensions were high between the monarchy and the Parliament. Against this backdrop of turmoil and uncertainty, Robert Herrick wrote poems that celebrated the beauty and joy of life, even in the face of adversity.

The Poem

"To His Dying Brother, Master William Herrick" is a short but incredibly poignant poem that speaks to the power of familial love and the devastating effects of loss. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, which gives it a sense of musicality and rhythm. This musicality is further emphasized by the use of repetition, with the lines "Farewell, dear brother" and "Yet again farewell" appearing multiple times throughout the poem.

The poem begins with the speaker bidding farewell to his dying brother, expressing his love and admiration for him. He speaks of their childhood together, referencing games they played and happy memories they shared. As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes increasingly emotional, expressing his sadness at the thought of losing his brother. He speaks of the pain that he will feel when his brother is gone, and how he wishes that they could stay together forever.

Despite the overwhelming sense of loss that permeates the poem, there is also a sense of hope and resilience. The speaker acknowledges that death is a natural part of life, and that his brother is simply moving on to another realm. He also speaks of the memories that they have shared, and how those memories will live on even after his brother has passed away.

Themes

One of the most prominent themes in "To His Dying Brother, Master William Herrick" is the power of familial love. Throughout the poem, the speaker expresses his deep love and admiration for his brother. He speaks of the joy that they shared as children, and he expresses his sadness at the thought of losing his brother. This theme of familial love is particularly poignant in light of the historical context in which the poem was written. During the 17th century, family was often seen as the most important unit in society, and familial relationships were highly valued. By emphasizing the power of brotherly love, Herrick is celebrating this traditional notion of family and reinforcing its importance.

Another important theme in the poem is the inevitability of death. The speaker acknowledges that his brother's death is imminent, and he expresses his sadness at the thought of losing him. However, he also acknowledges that death is a natural part of life, and that his brother is simply moving on to another realm. This theme of mortality is particularly poignant in light of the historical context in which the poem was written. During the 17th century, the mortality rate was much higher than it is today, and death was a much more common occurrence. By acknowledging the inevitability of death, Herrick is speaking to a universal truth that transcends time and place.

Interpretation

"To His Dying Brother, Master William Herrick" is a poem that speaks to the power of love and the pain of loss. Through his use of musical language and repetition, Herrick captures the emotional depth and complexity of brotherly love. The poem speaks to a universal truth about the importance of family and the inevitability of death, making it a timeless piece of literature that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

In terms of interpretation, one could read this poem as a celebration of life and a reminder to cherish the time that we have with our loved ones. By acknowledging the inevitability of death, the speaker is encouraging us to live in the moment and appreciate the people who are important to us. Additionally, the poem could be seen as a commentary on the fragility of life and the importance of holding onto our memories. By emphasizing the power of memories, the speaker is suggesting that even after our loved ones are gone, they continue to live on through the memories that we have shared with them.

Conclusion

"To His Dying Brother, Master William Herrick" is a beautifully crafted poem that speaks to the power of brotherly love and the inevitability of death. Through his use of musical language and repetition, Herrick captures the emotional depth and complexity of familial relationships. The poem is a timeless piece of literature that speaks to universal truths about the importance of family and the fragility of life. Whether you are reading it for the first time or the hundredth, "To His Dying Brother, Master William Herrick" is a poem that will leave you feeling moved and inspired.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

To His Dying Brother, Master William Herrick: A Masterpiece of Robert Herrick

Robert Herrick, a renowned English poet, is known for his lyrical and pastoral poems that celebrate the beauty of nature and love. Among his numerous works, To His Dying Brother, Master William Herrick, stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of brotherly love, grief, and acceptance of mortality. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem to understand its significance and impact on the readers.

The poem, To His Dying Brother, Master William Herrick, was written in the 17th century and is a reflection of the poet's personal experience of losing his brother. The poem is a eulogy that celebrates the life of the poet's brother and expresses his grief and acceptance of his brother's death. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct theme and tone.

The first stanza of the poem is an expression of the poet's grief and sorrow at the impending loss of his brother. The opening line, "Farewell, dear brother, who, when young, didst sit / With me to learn our mother tongue," sets the tone of the poem as a lament for the loss of a loved one. The use of the word "farewell" is significant as it implies a final goodbye, indicating that the poet has come to terms with the inevitability of his brother's death. The line "who, when young, didst sit / With me to learn our mother tongue" is a reference to the shared childhood experiences of the brothers and highlights the bond they shared.

The second stanza of the poem is a celebration of the life of the poet's brother. The opening line, "Dear, I remember how in times before / I joyed to see thee, and thou to see me more," is a reflection of the happy memories the poet has of his brother. The use of the word "joyed" emphasizes the happiness that the poet felt in the company of his brother. The line "and thou to see me more" highlights the reciprocity of their relationship and the mutual affection they shared. The stanza goes on to describe the various qualities of the poet's brother, such as his wit, wisdom, and kindness. The line "Thou hadst a tongue with which to conquer hearts" is a testament to the persuasive and charming nature of the poet's brother.

The third and final stanza of the poem is an acceptance of the inevitability of death and a celebration of the afterlife. The opening line, "Farewell, dear soul, which I imagine bright / Leaping from this dull world of ours to light," is a reflection of the poet's belief in the afterlife and the idea that death is not the end. The use of the word "imagine" suggests that the poet is envisioning his brother's soul ascending to heaven. The line "Leaping from this dull world of ours to light" is a metaphor for the transition from life to death and the idea that death is a release from the limitations of the physical world.

The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a common meter in English poetry. The use of this meter gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality that enhances its emotional impact. The poem also makes use of various literary devices such as alliteration, metaphor, and personification. The line "Thou hadst a tongue with which to conquer hearts" is an example of alliteration, which is the repetition of consonant sounds in a line of poetry. The use of alliteration in this line emphasizes the persuasive nature of the poet's brother's speech.

The line "Leaping from this dull world of ours to light" is an example of a metaphor, which is a figure of speech that compares two things that are not alike. In this line, the metaphor compares the transition from life to death to a leap from darkness to light. The use of this metaphor emphasizes the idea that death is not an end but a release from the limitations of the physical world.

The poem also makes use of personification, which is the attribution of human qualities to non-human objects or concepts. The line "Farewell, dear soul, which I imagine bright" is an example of personification, as the poet attributes the quality of brightness to his brother's soul.

In conclusion, To His Dying Brother, Master William Herrick, is a masterpiece of Robert Herrick that captures the essence of brotherly love, grief, and acceptance of mortality. The poem is a eulogy that celebrates the life of the poet's brother and expresses his grief and acceptance of his brother's death. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct theme and tone. The poem is written in iambic pentameter and makes use of various literary devices such as alliteration, metaphor, and personification. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of brotherly love and the belief in the afterlife.

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