'Cowardice' by Robert Service

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Carols of an Old CodgerAlthough you deem it far from nice,And it perchance may hurt you,
Let me suggest that cowardiceCan masquerade as virtue;
And many a maid remains a maidBecause she is afraid.And many a man is chaste becauseHe fears the house of sin;
And though before the door he pause,He dare not enter in:
So worse than being dissoluteAt home he plays the flute.And many an old cove such as IIs troubled with the jitters,
And being as he's scared to dieGives up his gin and bitters;
While dreading stomach ulcers heChucks dinner for high tea.Well, we are wise. When life beginsTo look so dour and dark
'Tis good to jettison our sinsAnd keep afloat the bark:
But don't let us claim lack of viceFor what's plumb cowardice!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Cowardice by Robert Service: A Poem of Fear and Self-Preservation

Have you ever felt your heart racing, your palms sweating, and your legs trembling in the face of danger? Have you ever wondered why some people have the courage to risk everything while others crumble in fear? Robert Service's "Cowardice" is a powerful poem that explores these questions with vivid imagery, poignant language, and a subtle irony that challenges our assumptions about bravery and cowardice. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, symbols, and literary devices that make "Cowardice" a timeless masterpiece of poetry.

Analysis

Theme

At its core, "Cowardice" is about the human instinct for self-preservation and the fear of death. The speaker, who is a soldier in the midst of a battle, confesses his intense fear and his desperate desire to survive at all costs. He describes how his body reacts to the danger, how his thoughts race, and how his faith wavers. He also contrasts his own fear with the bravery and stoicism of his fallen comrades, who have sacrificed their lives for a noble cause. Through this contrast, Service highlights the moral ambiguity of war and the complexity of human emotions. He suggests that courage and cowardice are not black and white concepts but rather shades of grey that depend on the context and the individual.

Symbolism

The key symbol in "Cowardice" is the poppy, which represents both death and remembrance. The speaker describes how the poppies grow "where dead men lie" and how they "blaze with scarlet flame" in the midst of the carnage. He also mentions how the poppy is worn as a badge of honor by those who have survived the war, as a way to remember and honor the fallen. The poppy thus becomes a powerful reminder of the cost of war and the fragility of life. It also symbolizes the paradox of bravery and cowardice, as the same flower can represent both the courage to fight and the fear of dying.

Literary Devices

Service employs several literary devices to convey the emotions and themes of "Cowardice." The most prominent one is irony, which is evident in the very title of the poem. By calling it "Cowardice," Service subverts our expectations and challenges our preconceptions about heroism and cowardice. He shows us that even the bravest of soldiers can feel fear and doubt, and that survival instincts are not a sign of weakness but a natural response to danger. Service also uses vivid imagery, such as the descriptions of the poppies and the battlefield, to create a sense of realism and urgency. He uses repetition, such as the refrain "I thought of Honour and the shame / Of cowardice", to reinforce the central conflict of the poem. And he uses rhyme and rhythm, such as the ABABCC rhyme scheme and the iambic tetrameter meter, to give the poem a musical quality that enhances its emotional impact.

Interpretation

"Cowardice" is a poem that speaks to us on many levels, from the personal to the political, from the historical to the universal. On a personal level, it reminds us of our own vulnerability and mortality, and of the difficult choices we have to make in times of crisis. It also challenges us to rethink our notions of heroism and cowardice, and to recognize the complexity and nuance of human behavior. On a political level, it raises important questions about the legitimacy and morality of war, and about the role of soldiers and civilians in upholding or challenging the status quo. It also invites us to reflect on the lessons of history and the need for peace, justice, and reconciliation.

One of the most striking aspects of "Cowardice" is its honesty and authenticity. Service himself was a war veteran, having served as an ambulance driver in World War I, and his poem reflects his own experiences and observations. He captures the raw emotions and physical sensations of combat, as well as the moral dilemmas and existential questions that it raises. He also avoids any overt propaganda or sentimentalism, and instead presents a sobering and realistic portrait of war and its consequences.

Another aspect of "Cowardice" that stands out is its timeless relevance. Although it was written almost a century ago, during a specific historical context, it speaks to us today with the same urgency and poignancy. Its message of humanity and empathy transcends time and borders, and reminds us of the common bonds that unite us all. It also reminds us of the power and potential of poetry as a medium of expression and communication, that can bridge the gaps between cultures and generations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Cowardice" is a masterful poem that captures the essence of fear and self-preservation in the face of danger. It challenges our assumptions about bravery and cowardice, and invites us to reflect on the complexity and nuance of human behavior. It also uses powerful symbols and literary devices to convey its message, and speaks to us on many levels, from the personal to the political, from the historical to the universal. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire, enlighten, and move us, and a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of all those who have fought and died for a better world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Cowardice: A Masterpiece of Robert Service

Robert Service, a renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. Among his many poems, "Poetry Cowardice" stands out as a masterpiece that has captured the hearts of many readers. This poem is a reflection of the poet's personal experiences and his views on the art of poetry. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem "Poetry Cowardice" is a powerful expression of the poet's frustration with the limitations of poetry. The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The poem is written in a conversational tone, as if the poet is speaking directly to the reader. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the poet declares his frustration with the limitations of poetry:

Oh, I have been to Ludlow fair And left my necktie God knows where, And carried half-way home, or near, Pints and quarts of Ludlow beer.

The first line of the poem is a reference to a popular folk song, "The Fair of Ludlow," which is about a young man who goes to a fair and falls in love with a girl. The poet uses this reference to establish a sense of nostalgia and longing. The second line is a humorous admission of the poet's forgetfulness. The third line is a reference to the weight of the beer that the poet has carried, which is a metaphor for the weight of his frustration with poetry. The fourth line is a reference to the poet's physical distance from his home, which is a metaphor for his emotional distance from poetry.

The second stanza of the poem is a continuation of the poet's frustration with poetry. The poet expresses his desire to write poetry that is honest and true, but he feels that he is unable to do so:

I have been to Ludlow fair And left my shirt undone, I swear, And like a brook that babes would play, Slipped my coolness clean away.

The first line of the second stanza is a repetition of the first line of the first stanza, which creates a sense of continuity. The second line is a humorous admission of the poet's lack of self-control. The third line is a metaphor for the poet's desire to write poetry that is pure and innocent. The fourth line is a metaphor for the poet's inability to maintain his composure when writing poetry.

The third stanza of the poem is a reflection of the poet's frustration with the limitations of language. The poet expresses his desire to write poetry that is beyond the limitations of language:

And I have been to Ludlow fair And left my trousers in the chair, And by my word! the night was cold, And I was fain to scrape and scold.

The first line of the third stanza is a repetition of the first line of the first and second stanzas, which creates a sense of repetition. The second line is a humorous admission of the poet's carelessness. The third line is a metaphor for the limitations of language. The fourth line is a metaphor for the poet's frustration with the limitations of language.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection of the poet's frustration with the limitations of poetry. The poet expresses his desire to write poetry that is free from the constraints of form:

I have been to Ludlow fair, And left my wife beside me there, And come home, as many more have done, And left my wife at Ludlow fun.

The first line of the fourth stanza is a repetition of the first line of the previous stanzas, which creates a sense of repetition. The second line is a humorous admission of the poet's infidelity. The third line is a metaphor for the poet's desire to break free from the constraints of form. The fourth line is a metaphor for the poet's desire to break free from the constraints of form.

The poem "Poetry Cowardice" is a powerful expression of the poet's frustration with the limitations of poetry. The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The poem is written in a conversational tone, as if the poet is speaking directly to the reader. The poem explores themes of frustration, limitation, and desire. The poet uses metaphors and humor to convey his message. The poem is a masterpiece of Robert Service and a testament to his skill as a poet.

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