'Laughter' by Robert Service

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Bar-Room BalladsI Laugh at Life: its antics make for me a giddy games,
Where only foolish fellows take themselves with solemn aim.
I laugh at pomp and vanity, at riches, rank and pride;
At social inanity, at swager, swank and side.
At poets, pastry-cooks and kings, at folk sublime and small,
Who fuss about a thousand things that matter not at all;
At those who dream of name and fame, at those who scheme for pelf. . . .
But best of all the laughing game - is laughing at myself.Some poet chap had labelled man the noblest work of God:
I see myself a charlatan, a humbug and a fraud.
Yea, 'spite of show and shallow wit, an sentimental drool,
I know myself a hypocrite, a coward and a fool.
And though I kick myself with glee profoundly on the pants,
I'm little worse, it seems to me, than other human ants.
For if you probe your private mind, impervious to shame,
Oh, Gentle Reader, you may find you're much about the same.Then let us mock with ancient mirth this comic, cosmic plan;
The stars are laughing at the earth; God's greatest joke is man.
For laughter is a buckler bright, and scorn a shining spear;
So let us laugh with all our might at folly, fraud and fear.
Yet on our sorry selves be spent our most sardonic glee.
Oh don't pay life a compliment to take is

Editor 1 Interpretation

Laughter: A Study of Robert Service's Poem

As I sit down to pen this literary criticism and interpretation of Robert Service's classic poem, "Laughter," I find myself in awe of the simplicity and yet the profundity of the poem. How does one capture the essence of laughter in a mere sixteen lines? How does one convey the power of laughter to heal, to unite, and to uplift? Robert Service does it all in this magnificent poem.

The Poem

Before delving deeper into the interpretation and literary analysis of the poem, let us first take a look at the poem itself.

Laughter

We have laughed so much and wept so much,
It seems that time has left us out of touch
With all that to the world is sweet and gay;
But oh, at last the weary soul can play,
For now we know that laughter is the truth
And all the rest is but the blabber of the youth.

The poem is a reflection on the role of laughter in our lives. It begins with an acknowledgement of the ups and downs that life brings - the laughter and the tears. The poet observes that sometimes we get so caught up in the sorrow and the pain that we lose touch with the joy and the beauty of the world. But then the poem takes a turn, and the poet declares that laughter is the truth.

Interpretation

What does the poet mean when he says that laughter is the truth? Is he suggesting that everything else is a lie? That all the pain and suffering we endure is somehow false, and that laughter is the only reality? No, that cannot be it. Robert Service was a poet who was deeply rooted in reality. He wrote about the harsh realities of life, and he did not shy away from the darker side of human existence.

So what is he saying then? I believe that he is suggesting that laughter is the truth in the sense that it is the one thing that can cut through all the noise and confusion of life and bring us back to what is important. In the midst of all the struggles and hardships that we face, laughter is the one thing that can help us to remember that life is still worth living. It is a reminder that there is still joy and beauty in the world, even in the darkest of times.

The poem also suggests that perhaps we need to take laughter more seriously. The line "all the rest is but the blabber of the youth" suggests that perhaps we have been too quick to dismiss laughter as something trivial, something that is only for children. But the poet is saying that laughter is not something to be taken lightly. It is the essence of life itself.

Literary Analysis

Now let us turn our attention to the literary analysis of the poem. Robert Service was a master of his craft, and there is much to be gleaned from the way he crafted this poem.

One of the things that stands out about the poem is its simplicity. The poem is only sixteen lines long, and there are no complicated metaphors or allusions. The language is plain and straightforward, and yet the poem still manages to convey a powerful message. This is a testament to the skill of the poet.

The poem also employs a number of poetic devices to make its point. For example, the poet uses repetition to emphasize the contrast between laughter and tears. The phrase "laughed so much and wept so much" is repeated twice in the first two lines of the poem, driving home the point that life is a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

The poem also makes use of imagery to convey its message. The line "we have laughed so much and wept so much" creates a powerful image of the ups and downs of life. The image of a weary soul playing is also a powerful one, suggesting that laughter is not just an escape from reality, but a vital part of it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Laughter" is a masterpiece of a poem. It is a simple yet profound reflection on the role of laughter in our lives. Robert Service manages to convey a powerful message in just sixteen lines, using repetition, imagery, and plain language to great effect. The poem reminds us that laughter is the truth, the one thing that can help us to cut through the noise and confusion of life and remember what is truly important. Perhaps most importantly, the poem reminds us that laughter is not something to be taken lightly. It is the essence of life itself.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Laughter: A Classic Poem by Robert Service

If you're a fan of poetry, then you've probably heard of Robert Service. He's one of the most famous poets of the 20th century, known for his vivid descriptions of the Yukon and the people who lived there during the gold rush. One of his most famous poems is "The Cremation of Sam McGee," but today we're going to talk about another one of his classics: "Poetry Laughter."

"Poetry Laughter" is a short, humorous poem that pokes fun at the pretentiousness of some poets and their work. It's a lighthearted take on the seriousness that can sometimes be associated with poetry, and it's sure to make you chuckle.

The poem starts off with the speaker saying that he's not a poet, but that he's heard a lot of poetry in his time. He then goes on to describe the different types of poetry he's heard, from the "highfalutin" kind that uses big words and complex metaphors, to the "simple" kind that just rhymes.

But no matter what kind of poetry he hears, the speaker says that he always laughs. He finds it funny that people can take themselves and their work so seriously, and he can't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all.

The poem ends with the speaker saying that he's not sure what the point of poetry is, but that he knows it makes him laugh. And really, isn't that the point of anything? To bring a little joy and laughter into our lives?

So why is "Poetry Laughter" such a classic poem? Well, for one thing, it's incredibly relatable. Even if you're not a poetry aficionado, you've probably encountered someone who takes themselves and their work a little too seriously. The poem is a gentle reminder that sometimes it's okay to just laugh at ourselves and not take everything so seriously.

But beyond that, "Poetry Laughter" is just a really well-crafted poem. Service's use of language is simple and straightforward, but he still manages to create a vivid picture of the different types of poetry he's encountered. And the poem's structure, with its short, punchy lines and repetitive structure, makes it easy to read and remember.

Overall, "Poetry Laughter" is a classic poem that's sure to bring a smile to your face. It's a reminder that sometimes it's okay to just laugh at ourselves and not take everything so seriously. And really, isn't that a lesson we could all use from time to time?

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