'Untimely' by Rudyard Kipling
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Nothing in life has been made by man for man's using
But it was shown long since to man in ages
Lost as the name of the maker of it,
Who received oppression and shame for his wages--
Hate, avoidance, and scorn in his daily dealings--
Until he perished, wholly confounded
More to be pitied than he are the wise
Souls which foresaw the evil of loosing
Knowledge or Art before time, and aborted
Noble devices and deep-wrought healings,
Lest offense should arise.
Heaven delivers on earth the Hour that cannot be
thwarted,
Neither advanced, at the price of a world nor a soul,
and its Prophet
Comes through the blood of the vanguards who
dreamed--too soon--it had sounded.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Untimely": A Masterpiece of Rudyard Kipling's Poetry
Rudyard Kipling, the renowned British author, journalist, and poet, left an indelible mark on the literary world with his powerful and vivid writing style. His poems were a reflection of his experiences, beliefs, and observations about life, people, and society. And among his many works, "Untimely" stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of human existence with poignant clarity.
"Untimely" is a short poem of only five stanzas, each consisting of four lines. But its brevity is deceptive, for within those few lines, Kipling manages to convey a depth of emotion and insight that is truly remarkable. The poem is a lament for youth and the passing of time, and it speaks to the universal human experience of growing older and facing mortality.
Analysis of "Untimely"
The poem opens with the line, "Oh, would I could cast a sail on the water." Immediately, we are drawn into the speaker's longing for escape, for a way to flee the inexorable march of time. The use of the word "cast" implies a sense of urgency, as though the speaker is desperate to leave the present behind.
The second line, "Where many a king has gone," is a reference to history and the many powerful figures who have come and gone before us. It reminds us of the transience of worldly power and the inevitability of death.
In the third line, the speaker speaks of "the splendour of the past." Here, we see a longing for a time that is gone, a time of greatness and glory that can never be recaptured. The use of the word "splendour" suggests a beauty and majesty that is now lost, and the speaker's wistful tone conveys a sense of regret for what has passed.
The final line of the first stanza, "Throw off that fond delay," is a call to action, a plea to the reader to embrace the present and not waste any more time. The use of the word "delay" implies that we are holding ourselves back, that we are not fully embracing life as it is right now.
The second stanza continues the theme of time and mortality, with the line "With equal wills let us face the present." Here, the speaker is urging us to accept our mortality and to live our lives to the fullest while we still can. The use of the word "equal" suggests that we are all in this together, that we are all facing the same inevitability of death.
The third stanza is perhaps the most poignant of the poem, with its opening line, "Unknown the unnumbered caravan passes." Here, Kipling is reminding us that life goes on, even as we age and face our own mortality. The use of the word "unknown" suggests that we are all just a small part of a much larger picture, that our lives are fleeting and insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
The fourth stanza is a more hopeful one, with the line "Love wakes and we drown in a single kiss." Here, the speaker is reminding us of the power of love, of the way it can make us feel alive and present in the moment. The use of the word "drown" suggests a sense of being overwhelmed, of losing ourselves in the intensity of the experience.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action, with the line "Fill high the cup with Samian wine." Here, the speaker is urging us to celebrate life, to make the most of the time we have. The use of the word "Samian" suggests a sense of luxury and indulgence, of living life to the fullest.
Interpretation of "Untimely"
At its core, "Untimely" is a meditation on the passing of time and the inevitability of death. It speaks to the universal human experience of growing older and facing the reality of our own mortality. But beyond that, the poem is also a call to action, a plea to live our lives to the fullest and to embrace the present moment.
The poem's use of language is particularly powerful, with its vivid imagery and poetic language. Kipling's use of metaphors and allusions to history and mythology adds depth and richness to the poem, while his use of repetition and parallel structure creates a sense of unity and coherence.
Ultimately, "Untimely" is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience in all its complexity and beauty. It is a reminder that even in the face of death and despair, there is still hope and joy to be found in the present moment.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Untimely: A Masterpiece by Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling, the renowned British author, poet, and journalist, is known for his exceptional literary works that have left an indelible mark on the world of literature. One of his most celebrated works is the poem "Poetry Untimely," which was first published in 1919. This poem is a masterpiece that reflects Kipling's deep understanding of human nature and his ability to express complex emotions through simple yet powerful words.
"Poetry Untimely" is a poem that explores the theme of the power of poetry and its ability to transcend time and space. The poem begins with the speaker lamenting the fact that he was born in a time when poetry is no longer valued or appreciated. He longs for a time when poetry was revered and celebrated, a time when poets were held in high esteem and their words had the power to move people.
The speaker then goes on to describe the power of poetry and how it has the ability to transcend time and space. He says that poetry has the power to transport us to different places and times, to make us feel emotions that we never thought possible. He describes how poetry can make us feel the pain of a soldier on the battlefield, the joy of a child playing in the park, or the sorrow of a lover who has lost their beloved.
Kipling's use of imagery in this poem is particularly noteworthy. He uses vivid and powerful imagery to create a sense of nostalgia and longing in the reader. For example, he describes the "old days" when poetry was valued as a time when "the world was fairer than we knew." This creates a sense of longing for a time that the reader may never have experienced but can still feel the loss of.
The poem also explores the idea of the poet as a prophet or seer. The speaker describes how poets have the ability to see things that others cannot, to see beyond the surface of things and into the heart of the matter. He says that poets are "the seers of things to be," suggesting that they have a special insight into the future and can see things that others cannot.
Kipling's use of language in this poem is also noteworthy. He uses simple yet powerful words to convey complex emotions and ideas. For example, he describes the power of poetry as "the magic that can make a dream come true." This simple yet powerful phrase captures the essence of what poetry is and what it can do.
The poem ends on a hopeful note, with the speaker suggesting that poetry will once again be valued and appreciated in the future. He says that "the time will come again" when poetry will be celebrated and revered. This suggests that even though the speaker is lamenting the loss of poetry in his own time, he believes that it will once again be valued in the future.
In conclusion, "Poetry Untimely" is a masterpiece by Rudyard Kipling that explores the theme of the power of poetry and its ability to transcend time and space. Kipling's use of imagery, language, and structure creates a sense of nostalgia and longing in the reader, while also conveying a sense of hope for the future. This poem is a testament to Kipling's skill as a poet and his deep understanding of human nature. It is a timeless work that will continue to be celebrated and appreciated for generations to come.
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