'Upon A Child That Died' by Robert Herrick
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Here she lies, a pretty bud,
Lately made of flesh and blood,
Who as soon fell fast asleep
As her little eyes did peep.
Give her strewings, but not stir
The earth that lightly covers her.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Upon A Child That Died" by Robert Herrick: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
"Upon A Child That Died" is a heart-wrenching poem written by Robert Herrick in the 17th century. The poem is a tribute to a child who died at a very young age, and it expresses the grief and sorrow of the parents who are left behind. Through this poem, Herrick gives us a glimpse into the fragility of life and the inevitability of death.
Analysis
The poem starts with a powerful and emotional line that sets the tone for the rest of the poem:
"Fairest flower, no sooner blown but blasted,"
This line immediately draws the attention of the reader and sets up the central theme of the poem, which is the transience of life. The use of the word "fairest" is significant here, as it suggests the beauty and innocence of the child. The word "flower" is also used as a metaphor for the child, emphasizing the fragility and short-lived nature of life.
The next few lines of the poem describe the child's life and death:
"Soft silken primrose fading timelessly, Summer's chief honor, if thou hadst outlived Bleak Winter's force that made thy blossom dry; For he, being amorous on that lovely dye That did thy cheek envermeil, thought to kiss,"
These lines further emphasize the beauty and innocence of the child, and how it was cut short by an untimely death. The use of the words "soft" and "silken" create a sense of tenderness and delicacy, which are qualities that are often associated with children. The reference to the primrose as "Summer's chief honor" suggests that the child was a cherished and beloved member of the family.
The line "For he, being amorous on that lovely dye" is particularly interesting as it suggests that death was personified as a lover who was so enamored by the child's beauty that he wanted to take it away from the world. This personification of death is a common theme in literature, and Herrick uses it quite effectively here.
The next few lines of the poem describe the parents' reaction to the child's death:
"But, oh! how all things here Do gay attire, and joyful appear, When that sole child hath leave to go, Which by the hand of angels brought, To the dash'd borders of our land, Came crowned with glory and grace."
These lines are particularly powerful as they describe the parents' grief and sorrow, and how the world seems to have lost its luster and joy since the child's death. The use of the words "gay attire" and "joyful" create a sense of contrast with the parents' grief, and emphasize how the world seems to be indifferent to their loss.
The use of the phrase "sole child" is also significant as it suggests that the child was the only one they had, and therefore, its loss was even more devastating. The reference to the child being brought by the angels adds a religious dimension to the poem, and suggests that the child has gone to a better place.
The final lines of the poem describe the parents' final farewell to the child:
"The angels all did sing, And angels' songs are heavenly; Yet, you mortals here below, Fit to bear immortal things? Soul, ere she came, to earth, Hadst thou such noble birth As to be placed aloft, Next to the king, in hope and love, Then henceforth, in thy budding flower, Thy fruit shall so sweetly bud and flower, As all the angels say, Hallelujah."
These lines are particularly poignant as they describe the child's ascension to heaven, and the parents' acceptance of this fact. The use of the phrase "fit to bear immortal things" suggests that the child was too pure and innocent to be part of this world, and that its true place was in heaven.
The reference to the soul's noble birth and its placement next to the king emphasizes the religious dimension of the poem, and suggests that the child is in a better place now. The use of the phrase "Hallelujah" at the end of the poem adds a note of hope and redemption, and suggests that the parents have found solace in the fact that their child is in a better place now.
Conclusion
"Upon A Child That Died" is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the grief and sorrow of parents who have lost a child. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Herrick emphasizes the fragility and short-lived nature of life, and the inevitability of death. The poem is also deeply religious, and suggests that death is not an end, but rather a transition to a better place. Overall, "Upon A Child That Died" is a poignant and moving tribute to a child who was taken away too soon.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Upon A Child That Died: An Analysis of Robert Herrick's Heartfelt Tribute
Robert Herrick's Poetry Upon A Child That Died is a heart-wrenching tribute to a child who passed away too soon. The poem is a beautiful expression of grief, love, and hope, and it has touched the hearts of readers for centuries. In this article, we will analyze the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language, and we will try to understand why it has become a classic of English literature.
The poem begins with a simple but powerful statement: "Here a pretty baby lies." The first line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, conveying a sense of sadness and loss. The use of the word "pretty" is significant, as it suggests that the child was not only loved but also admired for its beauty. The line also creates a visual image of the child lying peacefully, which is reinforced by the second line: "Sung asleep with lullabies."
The second line introduces the theme of music, which is a recurring motif throughout the poem. The idea of singing a child to sleep with lullabies is a common practice, and it evokes a sense of comfort and security. However, in this context, the lullabies are not enough to keep the child alive, and they become a symbol of the parents' helplessness and sorrow.
The third line of the poem is a question: "Pray, be silent, and not stir." The speaker is asking the reader to be respectful and quiet, as if the child were still sleeping. The use of the word "pray" suggests a religious context, and it implies that the child's death is part of a divine plan. The line also creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader, as if they were sharing a moment of grief together.
The fourth line of the poem is a repetition of the first: "Here a pretty baby lies." The repetition reinforces the idea of the child's physical presence, as if the speaker were trying to convince themselves that the child is still there. The line also creates a sense of rhythm, which is enhanced by the use of alliteration and assonance.
The fifth line of the poem introduces a new theme: "Death, in guerdon of her wrongs." The word "guerdon" means reward or punishment, and it suggests that death is a consequence of something that the child or its parents did wrong. The line also creates a sense of injustice, as if the child were punished for something that it had no control over. The use of the feminine pronoun "her" to refer to death is interesting, as it personifies death as a female figure.
The sixth line of the poem is a paradox: "Gives her sweets to lie all night." The idea of death giving sweets to the child is a contradiction, as death is usually associated with pain and suffering. However, in this context, the sweets are a symbol of comfort and peace, as if death were a kind of sleep that the child will never wake up from. The line also creates a sense of irony, as if the speaker were mocking death for its false promises.
The seventh line of the poem is a repetition of the second: "Lullaby, my little boy." The repetition reinforces the theme of music, and it creates a sense of continuity, as if the speaker were trying to keep the child alive through the power of words. The use of the diminutive "little boy" is significant, as it suggests that the child was still very young and vulnerable.
The eighth line of the poem is a plea: "Let his mother weep no more." The speaker is asking for the mother's grief to be alleviated, as if the child's death were too much for her to bear. The line also creates a sense of empathy, as if the speaker were sharing the mother's pain.
The ninth line of the poem is a repetition of the third: "Pray, be silent, and not stir." The repetition reinforces the idea of respect and intimacy, and it creates a sense of closure, as if the speaker were saying goodbye to the child.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It consists of nine lines, each with a specific function and meaning. The repetition of the first, fourth, and seventh lines creates a sense of rhythm and continuity, while the repetition of the third and ninth lines creates a sense of closure and intimacy. The use of alliteration, assonance, and rhyme also enhances the musical quality of the poem, making it a pleasure to read and recite.
The language of the poem is simple but powerful. The use of short, declarative sentences creates a sense of urgency and emotion, while the repetition of certain words and phrases reinforces the themes and motifs of the poem. The use of imagery, such as the lullabies and the sweets, creates a sense of comfort and peace, while the use of paradox and irony creates a sense of tension and complexity.
In conclusion, Robert Herrick's Poetry Upon A Child That Died is a beautiful and poignant tribute to a child who passed away too soon. The poem explores themes of grief, love, and hope, and it does so with a simple but effective structure and language. The poem has become a classic of English literature because it speaks to the universal experience of loss and reminds us of the power of words and music to heal our wounds.
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