'Philomela' by Matthew Arnold
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Hark! ah, the nightingale—
The tawny-throated!
Hark, from that moonlit cedar what a burst!
What triumph! hark!—what pain!
O wanderer from a Grecian shore,
Still, after many years, in distant lands,
Still nourishing in thy bewildered brain
That wild, unquenched, deep-sunken, old-world pain—
Say, will it never heal?
And can this fragrant lawn
With its cool trees, and night,
And the sweet tranquil Thames,
And moonshine, and the dew,
To thy racked heart and brain
Afford no balm?
Dost thou tonight behold,
Here, through the moonlight on this English grass,
The unfriendly palace in the Thracian wild?
Dost thou again peruse
With hot cheeks and seared eyes
The too clear web, and thy dumb sister's shame?
Dost thou once more assay
Thy flight, and feel come over thee,
Poor fugitive, the feathery change
Once more, and once more seem to make resound
With love and hate, triumph and agony,
Lone Daulis, and the high Cephissian vale?
Listen, Eugenia—
How thick the bursts come crowding through the leaves!
Again—thou hearest?
Eternal passion!
Eternal pain!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exploring the Depths of Philomela by Matthew Arnold
As a literary masterpiece, Philomela by Matthew Arnold is a poem that has stood the test of time. The poem was written in the mid-19th century, and it still resonates with readers today. Arnold was known for his literary excellence, and this poem is no exception. The poem tells the story of Philomela, a woman who was raped and silenced by her brother-in-law Tereus. However, Philomela is not silenced forever. She finds a way to express her pain, and this is what makes the poem so powerful.
The Theme of Silence
One of the key themes in Philomela is the theme of silence. Philomela is silenced by Tereus after he rapes her. He cuts out her tongue to prevent her from speaking out about the assault. Philomela is physically silenced, but her voice is not silenced forever. She finds a way to express her pain through her weaving. She weaves a tapestry that tells the story of her assault, and she sends it to her sister Procne. This tapestry becomes a powerful symbol of Philomela's voice.
The Power of Art
The power of art is another key theme in Philomela. Philomela is able to express herself through her weaving. Her tapestry is a work of art that tells the story of her assault. The tapestry becomes a powerful symbol of Philomela's voice. It is a way for her to communicate her pain without using words. Arnold highlights the power of art in this poem. He shows how art can be used to express the inexpressible.
The Theme of Betrayal
Betrayal is another key theme in Philomela. Philomela is betrayed by Tereus, her brother-in-law. He rapes her and then cuts out her tongue to prevent her from speaking out about the assault. Philomela is also betrayed by her sister Procne. Procne is married to Tereus, and she is complicit in the assault. She helps Tereus cover up the crime. Procne is a complex character in the poem. She is both a victim and a perpetrator. She is a victim of Tereus' abuse, but she also participates in the betrayal of Philomela.
The Role of Women
The role of women is another important theme in Philomela. Women are portrayed as victims in the poem. Philomela is raped and silenced by Tereus. Procne is a victim of Tereus' abuse. Women are also portrayed as powerful in the poem. Philomela is able to find a way to express herself through her weaving. Her tapestry becomes a powerful symbol of her voice. Women are also shown as complex characters in the poem. Procne is a victim of Tereus' abuse, but she also participates in the betrayal of Philomela. Women are not portrayed as one-dimensional characters in the poem.
The Use of Imagery
Arnold's use of imagery in Philomela is powerful. He uses vivid imagery to bring the poem to life. For example, he describes the nightingale's song as "the sweetest song-bird's throat." He also uses imagery to describe the tapestry that Philomela weaves. He describes it as a "woven story." The imagery in the poem helps to create a vivid and emotional experience for the reader.
The Use of Symbolism
Arnold's use of symbolism in Philomela is also powerful. The tapestry that Philomela weaves becomes a powerful symbol of her voice. The nightingale's song becomes a symbol of freedom and hope. The use of symbolism in the poem helps to create a deeper meaning for the reader.
The Use of Language
Arnold's use of language in Philomela is also noteworthy. He uses a poetic and lyrical language to express the emotions of the characters. For example, he describes Philomela's pain as "mute despair." He also uses metaphorical language to describe the tapestry that Philomela weaves. He calls it a "woven story." The use of language in the poem helps to create an emotional experience for the reader.
The Structure of the Poem
The structure of Philomela is also noteworthy. It is a lyric poem that tells a story. The poem is divided into stanzas, and each stanza tells a different part of the story. The use of stanzas helps to create a coherent and organized structure for the poem.
The Message of the Poem
The message of Philomela is powerful. The poem shows the resilience of the human spirit. Philomela is able to find a way to express herself despite being silenced. The poem also highlights the power of art to express the inexpressible. It shows the importance of giving voice to those who have been silenced.
The Overall Impact
Philomela by Matthew Arnold is a poem that has a powerful impact on the reader. The themes of silence, art, betrayal, and the role of women are all explored in a powerful and emotional way. The use of imagery, symbolism, language, and structure all help to create a vivid and emotional experience for the reader. The poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of art to give voice to the silenced.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Philomela: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression
Matthew Arnold, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, is known for his profound and insightful works that explore the complexities of human nature and the world around us. Among his many notable poems, Philomela stands out as a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of human suffering and the power of art to heal and transform.
Philomela is a retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Philomela, a princess who is brutally raped by her brother-in-law and then silenced by having her tongue cut out. In Arnold's version, Philomela is transformed into a nightingale, whose song becomes a symbol of the power of art to transcend the limitations of the human condition and express the deepest emotions and experiences.
The poem begins with a description of the nightingale's song, which is described as "a voice of woe, / From out the heart of sweetest woe." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the nature of suffering and the role of art in expressing and transforming it.
Arnold's use of language in this poem is particularly striking, as he employs a range of poetic devices to create a rich and evocative atmosphere. For example, he uses alliteration and assonance to create a musical quality to the poem, such as in the lines "And all night long she murmurs and she sings, / And still her love and languor and her woe."
Arnold also uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the nightingale and its surroundings. He describes the bird as "a darkling bird / With moonlit dewdrops on her wings," and the setting as "the moonlit garden, where the air / Is sweet with faint, delicious smells." These descriptions create a sense of mystery and enchantment, which adds to the overall mood of the poem.
One of the key themes of Philomela is the power of art to transform suffering into something beautiful and meaningful. Arnold suggests that the nightingale's song is a form of artistic expression that allows her to transcend her own pain and connect with others who are also suffering. He writes, "And all who hear her mournful strain, / Conceive her to be full of pain, / Yet sweet that pain to hear."
This idea of the transformative power of art is further explored in the final stanza of the poem, where Arnold suggests that the nightingale's song has the power to heal and restore those who are broken and suffering. He writes, "And in her song's triumphant flow / A sense of some divine release / From earthly sorrow seems to rise."
Overall, Philomela is a powerful and moving poem that explores the nature of suffering and the transformative power of art. Through his use of language, imagery, and poetic devices, Arnold creates a rich and evocative atmosphere that captures the essence of the nightingale's song and its ability to transcend the limitations of the human condition. This poem is a testament to Arnold's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in a way that is both profound and beautiful.
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