'The Artist' by Robert Service


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All day with brow of anxious thought
The dictionary through,
Amid a million words he sought
The sole one that would do.
He wandered on from pub to pub
Yet never ceased to seek
With burning brain and pencil stub
The Word Unique.

Said he: 'I'll nail it down or die.
Oh Heaven help me, pray!'
And then a heavy car dashed by,
And he was in the way.
They rushed him to the hospital,
And though his chance was bleak,
He cried: 'I'll croak, but find I shall
The Word Unique.'

They reckoned he was off his head,
And could be it was so;
For as they bent above his bed
He mumbled soft and low.
And then a name they heard him speak,
Yet did not deem it odd . . .
At last he'd found the Word Unique,--
Just God.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Artist by Robert Service: A Critique

The Artist is a poem written by Robert Service that has been hailed as one of the greatest works of literature of the 20th century. It is a poem that embodies the essence of the human spirit and the desire to create. Service writes about the struggles and triumphs of the artist, the one who is driven by the desire to create something beautiful, something that will stand the test of time.

The poem captures the essence of creativity, the passion that drives an artist to keep pushing forward despite the obstacles that they face. The artist is portrayed as someone who is willing to sacrifice everything for their art, including their own sanity. They are willing to risk everything for the sake of their craft, and this is what makes them so admirable.

The poem opens with the lines, "I'm an artist - I've got a God-given mission, / To capture the splendor of Earth and Sky; / To harness the rapture of my intuition, / And give it shape and color as I." This is a powerful opening that sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Service is telling us that the artist has a divine purpose, a mission that they are meant to fulfill.

The poem then takes us through the journey of the artist, from the struggles of finding inspiration, to the moments of pure joy that come with the creation of something beautiful. The artist is portrayed as someone who is constantly searching for something, a muse that will inspire them to create something truly remarkable.

The lines, "I've sought it in the city, and I've sought it in the wild, / I've sought it in the lonely places of the earth; / I've sought it in the faces of the men and women child, / And in the laughter, and the tears, and in the mirth," capture the essence of this search. The artist is willing to go anywhere and do anything in order to find the inspiration they need to create something truly great.

The poem also touches on the darker side of the artist's psyche. The lines, "I've suffered in my questing, and I've been oppressed, / And I've tasted of the bitterness of tears; / I've known the pangs of hunger, and I've known the emptiness / That comes to him who wanders through the years," speak to the sacrifices that the artist must make in order to create something truly remarkable.

The artist is portrayed as someone who is willing to suffer for their craft, to go without food or sleep in order to create something that is truly beautiful. They are willing to endure pain and suffering in order to create something that will stand the test of time.

The poem also touches on the idea of madness and the artist's struggle with their own sanity. The lines, "I've walked the road of madness, and I've felt its icy blast, / And I've seen its dark and twisted alleys wind; / I've known the fear of shadows that will never be surpassed, / And I've seen the demons that pursue the mind," speak to the artist's struggle with their own inner demons.

The artist is portrayed as someone who is constantly at war with themselves, battling against their own insecurities and fears. They are willing to risk their own sanity in order to create something truly remarkable, and this is what makes them so admirable.

The poem ends with the lines, "And when I'm gone, my soul will live in what I've wrought, / For I've given life to beauty that will last; / And men will say: 'He struggled and he fought, / But he left us this - and that's the best of him - his past!'" These lines speak to the legacy that the artist leaves behind, the beauty that they have created that will live on long after they are gone.

Service is telling us that the artist's legacy is not just the works that they have created, but the inspiration that they have given to others. The artist's legacy is the way that they have inspired others to create something truly remarkable, to tap into their own creativity and create something that is truly beautiful.

In conclusion, The Artist is a powerful poem that captures the essence of the human spirit and the desire to create. It speaks to the struggles and triumphs of the artist, the one who is willing to sacrifice everything for their art. Service's writing is powerful and evocative, taking us on a journey through the artist's psyche and showing us the beauty that can be created through struggle and sacrifice. The Artist is a masterpiece that will stand the test of time, inspiring generations of artists to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Artist: A Masterpiece of Robert Service

Robert Service, a renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. One of his most celebrated poems, "The Artist," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the creative process and the struggles that artists face in their pursuit of excellence. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the depths of this poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the artist, who is described as a "dreamer," sitting alone in his studio, surrounded by his tools and materials. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as they establish the artist's isolation and his deep connection to his craft. The artist is consumed by his work, and he spends countless hours perfecting his art, often neglecting his own physical needs.

The first stanza of the poem is a beautiful description of the artist's surroundings. The poet uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the artist's studio, with its "dusty light" and "cobwebbed gloom." The use of these descriptive words creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, drawing the reader into the world of the artist.

In the second stanza, the poet introduces the theme of sacrifice. The artist is willing to give up everything for his art, including his health and well-being. The line "He has forgotten how to laugh" is particularly poignant, as it highlights the toll that the artist's dedication has taken on his emotional state.

The third stanza is a beautiful tribute to the artist's creativity. The poet describes the artist's work as a "miracle of beauty," and he marvels at the artist's ability to create something out of nothing. The use of the word "miracle" is significant, as it suggests that the artist's work is not just a product of his skill, but also of some divine inspiration.

The fourth stanza is a turning point in the poem. The artist's dedication to his craft has not gone unnoticed, and he is now being recognized for his talent. The line "The world has found him out" suggests that the artist's work has finally been appreciated by others, and he is no longer alone in his pursuit of excellence.

The fifth stanza is a reflection on the artist's journey. The poet acknowledges the struggles that the artist has faced, and he celebrates the artist's perseverance in the face of adversity. The line "He has fought his way to fame" is a testament to the artist's determination and hard work.

The sixth stanza is a beautiful description of the artist's art. The poet uses vivid imagery to describe the artist's work, and he marvels at the beauty and complexity of the artist's creations. The line "His art is all his life" is particularly significant, as it suggests that the artist's work is not just a hobby or a profession, but a way of life.

The seventh stanza is a reflection on the artist's legacy. The poet acknowledges that the artist's work will live on long after he is gone, and he celebrates the impact that the artist's creations will have on future generations. The line "His work will live forever" is a testament to the artist's enduring legacy.

The eighth and final stanza is a beautiful tribute to the artist's dedication and passion. The poet acknowledges that the artist's work is not just a product of his skill, but also of his love for his craft. The line "He loves his work so well" is a fitting conclusion to the poem, as it captures the essence of the artist's character and his unwavering commitment to his art.

In terms of structure, the poem is divided into eight stanzas, each with four lines. The use of quatrains creates a sense of symmetry and balance, and it also allows the poet to explore different themes and ideas in each stanza. The poem is written in free verse, which gives the poet the freedom to experiment with different rhythms and patterns.

The use of literary devices in the poem is also noteworthy. The poet uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the artist's surroundings and his creations. The use of metaphor and simile adds depth and complexity to the poem, and it also allows the poet to explore abstract concepts such as creativity and inspiration.

In conclusion, "The Artist" is a masterpiece of Robert Service, and it captures the essence of the creative process and the struggles that artists face in their pursuit of excellence. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the artist's dedication and passion, and it celebrates the enduring legacy of his work. The use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and simile creates a sense of depth and complexity, and it allows the poet to explore abstract concepts in a meaningful and impactful way. Overall, "The Artist" is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.

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