'The Dream Called Life' by Edward Fitzgerald
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From the Spanish of Pedro Calderon de la Barca
A dream it was in which I found myself.
And you that hail me now, then hailed me king,
In a brave palace that was all my own,
Within, and all without it, mine; until,
Drunk with excess of majesty and pride,
Methought I towered so big and swelled so wide
That of myself I burst the glittering bubble
Which my ambition had about me blown,
And all again was darkness. Such a dream
As this, in which I may be walking now,
Dispensing solemn justice to you shadows,
Who make believe to listen; but anon
Kings, princes, captains, warriors, plume and steel,
Aye, even with all your airy theatre,
May flit into the air you seem to rend
With acclamations, leaving me to wake
In the dark tower; or dreaming that I wake
From this that waking is; or this and that,
Both waking and both dreaming; such a doubt
Confounds and clouds our moral life about.
But whether wake or dreaming, this I know,
How dreamwise human glories come and go;
Whose momentary tenure not to break,
Walking as one who knows he soon may wake,
So fairly carry the full cup, so well
Disordered insolence and passion quell,
That there be nothing after to upbraid
Dreamer or doer in the part he played;
Whether tomorrow's dawn shall break the spell,
Or the last trumpet of the Eternal Day,
When dreaming, with the night, shall pass away.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Dream Called Life: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever wondered what life truly is? Is it just a fleeting dream or a complex reality that we are yet to comprehend? These are the questions that Edward Fitzgerald's poem, "The Dream Called Life," seeks to address. Written in the 19th century, this classic poem is a profound reflection on the nature of human existence and the transience of life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, language, and style of this timeless masterpiece.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem, let us first understand its background and context. Edward Fitzgerald was a renowned poet and translator who lived in the 19th century. He was born in 1809 in Suffolk, England and went on to study at Trinity College, Cambridge. Fitzgerald was known for his translations of the Persian poet Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat, which gained immense popularity in the Victorian era. "The Dream Called Life" is one of Fitzgerald's lesser-known works, but it is a significant contribution to the genre of romantic poetry.
The poem was written in 1841 and was first published in the Monthly Repository, a Unitarian magazine. It consists of 37 stanzas, each comprising of four lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which is a rhythmic pattern that consists of four beats per line. The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, but the imagery is rich and evocative. The poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death.
Themes
The central theme of "The Dream Called Life" is the transience of life. The poem is a metaphor for life as a dream that is fleeting and ephemeral. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem:
Life's but a fleeting Dream - a fickle show,
A gaudy picture on a gilded wall,
A sounding tale - a flower that fades and falls,
A poor ephemeral thing, that soon must go.
Here, Fitzgerald compares life to a dream that is fleeting and transient. The use of the words "fickle show," "gaudy picture," and "sounding tale" emphasizes the ephemeral nature of life. The metaphor of life as a flower that fades and falls is a common trope in romantic poetry. Fitzgerald emphasizes the temporality of life throughout the poem by using images of nature that are transient and fleeting.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of mortality. The poem is a reflection on the inevitability of death and the fragility of life. In stanza 5, Fitzgerald writes:
Life's but a momentary glimpse of Time,
A flying visit - a short-lived stay,
An unimportant mark upon the clay,
A fleeting shadow on the walls of Time.
Here, Fitzgerald compares life to a "momentary glimpse of Time" and a "fleeting shadow on the walls of Time." This imagery emphasizes the impermanence of life and the idea that our existence is but a small blip in the grand scheme of things. The use of the phrase "an unimportant mark upon the clay" further emphasizes the idea of mortality and the insignificance of our existence.
The theme of love and loss is also prominent in the poem. Fitzgerald writes about the pain of separation and the longing for loved ones who have passed away. In stanza 22, he writes:
Sad Memory, with her old tears and sighs,
Comes back to my sad heart, and makes it weep
For all the friends that death has laid asleep,
And all the love that in the grave now lies.
Here, Fitzgerald uses the imagery of "old tears and sighs" to evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. He laments the loss of friends who have passed away and the love that is now buried in the grave. This theme of love and loss is a common trope in romantic poetry, but Fitzgerald brings a unique perspective to it by emphasizing the transience of life and the inevitability of death.
Language and Style
The language used in "The Dream Called Life" is simple and straightforward, but the imagery is rich and evocative. Fitzgerald uses a variety of metaphors and similes to convey the transience of life. For example, in stanza 11, he writes:
Life's like a wave that breaks upon the shore,
And sinks in foam, and is no more seen;
Like a bird's song that dies away - I ween,
Like the last gleam that fades when day is o'er.
Here, Fitzgerald uses the metaphors of a wave breaking upon the shore and a bird's song that dies away to emphasize the fleeting nature of life. The use of the phrase "like the last gleam that fades when day is o'er" is a powerful image that evokes a sense of finality and inevitability.
The style of the poem is formal and structured, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The use of iambic tetrameter gives the poem a rhythmic quality that is easy to read and follow. The poem is written in a reflective and contemplative tone, with Fitzgerald meditating on the nature of life and death. The use of imagery and metaphor gives the poem a vivid and evocative quality that draws the reader in.
Conclusion
"The Dream Called Life" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today. Fitzgerald's use of vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the transience of life is both powerful and evocative. The poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of human existence and the inevitability of death. The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, but the themes it explores are complex and profound. "The Dream Called Life" is a must-read for anyone who seeks to understand the nature of human existence and the meaning of life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Dream Called Life: A Masterpiece of Edward Fitzgerald
Edward Fitzgerald, the renowned poet and translator, is best known for his translation of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. However, his original works are equally remarkable and deserve recognition. One such work is his poem, The Dream Called Life, which is a masterpiece of Victorian literature. In this article, we will delve into the depths of this poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The Dream Called Life is a long poem consisting of 14 stanzas, each containing 10 lines. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which gives it a rhythmic and musical quality. The poem is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. It is a reflection on the human condition and the fleeting nature of our existence.
The poem begins with the speaker describing life as a dream. He says that life is like a dream that we cannot control. We are born into this world without our consent, and we have no say in when we will die. The speaker then goes on to describe the various stages of life, from childhood to old age, and how each stage is marked by its own joys and sorrows.
The second stanza of the poem is particularly poignant. The speaker describes how we are all born into this world with a sense of wonder and innocence. We are like children, exploring the world around us with curiosity and awe. However, as we grow older, we lose this sense of wonder and become jaded and cynical. We become preoccupied with our own desires and ambitions, and we forget the beauty of the world around us.
The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the inevitability of death. The speaker says that death is the one certainty in life, and that we must all face it eventually. He describes death as a great equalizer, as it comes for both the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless. The speaker then goes on to describe how death can be both terrifying and liberating. It is terrifying because it is the end of our existence, but it is also liberating because it frees us from the burdens of life.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life. The speaker says that life is like a flower that blooms for a brief moment and then withers away. He describes how we spend our lives chasing after material possessions and worldly pleasures, but in the end, they all fade away. The only thing that remains is our legacy, the impact that we have on the world around us.
The fifth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the human condition. The speaker says that we are all flawed and imperfect beings, and that we must learn to accept our flaws and embrace our humanity. He describes how we are all searching for meaning and purpose in life, but that this search is often futile. The speaker then goes on to say that the only way to find meaning in life is to embrace the present moment and live in the here and now.
The sixth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the beauty of nature. The speaker describes how nature is a source of solace and comfort in a world that is often chaotic and unpredictable. He describes how the beauty of nature can inspire us and lift our spirits, and how it can remind us of the beauty of life.
The seventh stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of love. The speaker says that love is the one thing that can transcend death and give meaning to our lives. He describes how love can inspire us to be better people and how it can give us the strength to face the challenges of life.
The eighth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the importance of friendship. The speaker says that friendship is a source of comfort and support in a world that can be cold and indifferent. He describes how true friendship can endure even in the face of adversity, and how it can enrich our lives in ways that material possessions never can.
The ninth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the importance of faith. The speaker says that faith is a source of hope and comfort in a world that can be cruel and unjust. He describes how faith can give us the strength to face the challenges of life, and how it can help us to find meaning and purpose in our existence.
The tenth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the importance of forgiveness. The speaker says that forgiveness is essential for our own well-being and for the well-being of others. He describes how holding onto grudges and resentments can poison our souls and prevent us from finding peace and happiness.
The eleventh stanza of the poem is a reflection on the importance of gratitude. The speaker says that gratitude is essential for our own happiness and for the happiness of others. He describes how being grateful for what we have can help us to find joy and contentment in life, and how it can inspire us to be more compassionate and generous towards others.
The twelfth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the importance of humility. The speaker says that humility is essential for our own growth and for the growth of others. He describes how being humble can help us to learn from our mistakes and to be more open-minded and receptive to new ideas.
The thirteenth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the importance of courage. The speaker says that courage is essential for facing the challenges of life and for overcoming our fears. He describes how courage can inspire us to take risks and to pursue our dreams, and how it can help us to find meaning and purpose in our existence.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the beauty of life. The speaker says that life is a precious gift, and that we must cherish every moment that we have. He describes how life is a journey, full of ups and downs, but that it is ultimately a journey worth taking. The speaker ends the poem with the following lines:
"Then let us live, and love, and learn, And leave behind us, as we go, Footprints on the sands of time, Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o'er life's solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again."
In conclusion, The Dream Called Life is a masterpiece of Victorian literature. It is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. It is a reflection on the human condition and the fleeting nature of our existence. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire, uplift, and console us in the face of life's challenges. It is a reminder that life is a precious gift, and that we must cherish every moment that we have.
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