'To Helen' by Delmore Schwartz
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1962(After Valery)O Sea! ... 'Tis I, risen from death once more
To hear the waves' harmonious roar
And see the galleys, sharp, in dawn's great awe
Raised from the dark by the rising and gold oar.My fickle hands sufficed to summon kings
Their salt beards amused my fingers, deft and pure.
I wept. They sang of triumphs now obscure:
And the first abyss flooded the hull as if with falling wings.I hear the profound horns and trumpets of war
Matching the rhythm, swinging of the flying oars:
The galleys' chant enchains the foam of sound;
And the gods, exalted at the heroic prow,
E'en though the spit of spray insults each smiling brow,
Beckon to me, with arms indulgent, frozen, sculptured,and dead long long ago.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Delving into the Depths of Delmore Schwartz’s “To Helen”
If you have ever been struck by love, then you know what it feels like to be consumed by its flames. Every nerve in your body seems to be on fire, and you cannot help but be drawn to the object of your affection. Delmore Schwartz’s poem “To Helen” captures this feeling of being consumed, of being unable to resist the pull of love.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the depths of this classic poem and explore its various themes and literary devices. We will examine the ways in which Schwartz’s use of language and imagery contribute to the poem’s overall meaning, and we will consider the various interpretations that have been offered by literary scholars over the years.
Overview of the Poem
“To Helen” was first published in 1942 and is one of Schwartz’s most famous poems. The poem is a tribute to Helen, a woman who had a profound impact on Schwartz’s life. The poem is structured as a series of three stanzas, each with five lines. The first and third stanzas are nearly identical in form, while the second stanza is slightly longer.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing Helen directly, telling her that she is the embodiment of all that is beautiful in the world. The speaker describes Helen’s hair, eyes, and lips in detail, emphasizing the power and allure of her physical beauty. In the second stanza, the speaker contrasts Helen’s beauty with the darkness and ugliness of the world around them. Finally, in the third stanza, the speaker declares his undying love for Helen, vowing to be with her forever.
Themes and Literary Devices
One of the most significant themes in “To Helen” is the power of love. The speaker is utterly consumed by his love for Helen, unable to resist its pull. He describes her as the “golden girl” and the “queen of beauty” and speaks of her beauty as if it were a force of nature. The imagery used in the poem reinforces this idea of love as a powerful and irresistible force. The speaker describes Helen’s beauty in terms of fire, stars, and light, all of which evoke a sense of passion and intensity.
Another important theme in the poem is the contrast between beauty and ugliness. The speaker contrasts Helen’s beauty with the darkness and ugliness of the world around them, emphasizing the power of her beauty to overcome these negative forces. This contrast is reinforced by the use of light and dark imagery throughout the poem. The light represents Helen’s beauty and the darkness represents the ugliness of the world.
Schwartz also uses a variety of literary devices in the poem, including alliteration, repetition, and metaphor. Alliteration is used to create a sense of rhythm and to emphasize certain words and phrases. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker describes Helen’s “hair hanging down in rings” and her “eyes like mountain water.” The repetition of the “h” and “m” sounds creates a musical quality to the language and emphasizes the beauty of the descriptions.
Repetition is also used to emphasize certain words and phrases throughout the poem. For example, the phrase “queen of beauty” appears twice in the first stanza, emphasizing the speaker’s obsession with Helen’s physical beauty. The phrase “I am consumed by fire” is repeated twice in the second stanza, emphasizing the intensity of the speaker’s emotions.
Metaphor is used extensively throughout the poem to create a sense of depth and complexity. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker compares Helen’s beauty to various natural phenomena, such as fire, stars, and light. This metaphor emphasizes the power and intensity of her beauty and reinforces the idea that it is a force of nature.
Interpretations
The poem “To Helen” has been interpreted in a variety of ways over the years. Some scholars have seen it as a straightforward love poem, celebrating the beauty of a particular woman. Others have interpreted it as a more complex meditation on the nature of beauty and love.
One interpretation of the poem is that it represents the speaker’s obsession with Helen’s physical beauty. The speaker is so consumed by his love for her that he cannot see past her physical appearance. This interpretation is supported by the emphasis on Helen’s physical beauty throughout the poem and the contrast between her beauty and the ugliness of the world around them.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it represents the speaker’s desire for transcendence. The imagery of light and fire suggests that the speaker is seeking something beyond the physical world, something that is both beautiful and powerful. This interpretation is supported by the use of metaphor throughout the poem, which suggests that the speaker is trying to express something that is difficult to put into words.
A third interpretation of the poem is that it represents the speaker’s fear of death. The contrast between light and darkness and the emphasis on Helen’s beauty as a force of nature suggest that the speaker is trying to find meaning in a world that is ultimately dark and chaotic. This interpretation is supported by the use of fire imagery throughout the poem, which suggests that the speaker is trying to find something that will burn brightly even in the face of death.
Conclusion
Delmore Schwartz’s poem “To Helen” is a powerful exploration of the themes of love, beauty, and the human desire for transcendence. Through his use of language and imagery, Schwartz creates a sense of intensity and passion that is both compelling and complex. The poem has been interpreted in a variety of ways over the years, but its enduring popularity is a testament to its power and resonance. Whether you see it as a love poem, a meditation on beauty and transcendence, or a reflection on the human fear of death, “To Helen” is a poem that continues to captivate and inspire readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To Helen: A Masterpiece of Love and Longing
Delmore Schwartz's "Poetry To Helen" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of love and longing that captures the essence of the human experience. The poem is a tribute to the beauty and grace of a woman named Helen, who represents the ideal of feminine perfection. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing Helen directly, "Helen, thy beauty is to me / Like those Nicean barks of yore." The speaker compares Helen's beauty to the ancient Greek ships that sailed the Mediterranean Sea. These ships were known for their elegance and grace, just like Helen. The speaker is in awe of Helen's beauty and sees her as a symbol of perfection.
The poem continues with the speaker expressing his longing for Helen, "Thy beauty, and thy grace, thy charms / Have left a spell on me." The speaker is under Helen's spell and cannot resist her beauty and charm. He is consumed by his desire for her and cannot imagine life without her. The speaker's longing for Helen is a universal human experience. We have all felt the pull of desire and the longing for someone we cannot have.
The poem then takes a turn as the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of beauty, "For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!" The speaker acknowledges that beauty is fleeting and that Helen's beauty will not last forever. He is aware that his love for her will outlast her beauty, and he will continue to love her even when she is no longer young and beautiful. The speaker's love for Helen is not based on her physical appearance but on her inner beauty and grace.
The poem ends with the speaker expressing his devotion to Helen, "And so thy beauty fades away / As stars that sink in the sea." The speaker compares Helen's beauty to the stars that disappear into the sea at dawn. He acknowledges that her beauty will fade away, but his love for her will endure. The speaker's devotion to Helen is unwavering, and he will continue to love her even when her beauty is gone.
The themes of love, longing, and the fleeting nature of beauty are central to the poem. The speaker's love for Helen is all-consuming, and he cannot imagine life without her. His longing for her is a universal human experience that we can all relate to. The poem also explores the idea that beauty is fleeting and that true love is based on inner beauty and grace.
The imagery used in the poem is also significant. The comparison of Helen's beauty to the ancient Greek ships and the stars that disappear into the sea creates a sense of timelessness and beauty. The use of the sea as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of beauty is also significant. The sea is a powerful force that can be both beautiful and destructive, just like beauty.
The language used in the poem is simple yet powerful. The use of repetition, such as "thy beauty" and "thy grace," creates a sense of rhythm and emphasizes the speaker's devotion to Helen. The use of alliteration, such as "For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!" creates a sense of musicality and adds to the poem's beauty.
In conclusion, Delmore Schwartz's "Poetry To Helen" is a masterpiece of love and longing that captures the essence of the human experience. The poem explores the themes of love, longing, and the fleeting nature of beauty. The imagery used in the poem creates a sense of timelessness and beauty, while the language used is simple yet powerful. The poem is a tribute to the beauty and grace of a woman named Helen, who represents the ideal of feminine perfection. It is a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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