'Law Like Love' by W.H. Auden
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Law, say the gardeners, is the sun,
Law is the one
All gardeners obey
To-morrow, yesterday, to-day.
Law is the wisdom of the old,
The impotent grandfathers feebly scold;
The grandchildren put out a treble tongue,
Law is the senses of the young.
Law, says the priest with a priestly look,
Expounding to an unpriestly people,
Law is the words in my priestly book,
Law is my pulpit and my steeple.
Law, says the judge as he looks down his nose,
Speaking clearly and most severely,
Law is as I've told you before,
Law is as you know I suppose,
Law is but let me explain it once more,
Law is The Law.
Yet law-abiding scholars write:
Law is neither wrong nor right,
Law is only crimes
Punished by places and by times,
Law is the clothes men wear
Anytime, anywhere,
Law is Good morning and Good night.
Others say, Law is our Fate;
Others say, Law is our State;
Others say, others say
Law is no more,
Law has gone away.
And always the loud angry crowd,
Very angry and very loud,
Law is We,
And always the soft idiot softly Me.
If we, dear, know we know no more
Than they about the Law,
If I no more than you
Know what we should and should not do
Except that all agree
Gladly or miserably
That the Law is
And that all know this
If therefore thinking it absurd
To identify Law with some other word,
Unlike so many men
I cannot say Law is again,
No more than they can we suppress
The universal wish to guess
Or slip out of our own position
Into an unconcerned condition.
Although I can at least confine
Your vanity and mine
To stating timidly
A timid similarity,
We shall boast anyway:
Like love I say.
Like love we don't know where or why,
Like love we can't compel or fly,
Like love we often weep,
Like love we seldom keep.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Law Like Love: A Critical Analysis
W.H. Auden's poem, "Law Like Love", is a masterful exploration of the concept of law and how it relates to human nature. Through his use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and thought-provoking language, Auden invites his readers to consider the nature of law and its impact on humanity.
Background
Auden was a distinguished poet of the 20th century and an influential figure in modernist poetry. He was renowned for his intellectual curiosity and his ability to convey complex ideas through simple language. "Law Like Love" was first published in 1940, during a time of great social and political upheaval in Europe. The poem reflects Auden's concerns about the role of law in a rapidly changing world and his belief in the importance of individual freedom and autonomy.
Structure
The poem consists of six stanzas, each of which is comprised of four lines. The first and third lines of each stanza are written in iambic trimeter, while the second and fourth lines are in iambic tetrameter. This creates a rhythmic pattern that is both pleasing to the ear and easy to follow. The poem also features a number of rhyming couplets, which help to tie the stanzas together and reinforce the overall theme of the poem.
Analysis
The poem begins with the assertion that "Law, say the gardeners, is the sun". This metaphor suggests that law is a fundamental force that provides order and structure to society, much like the sun provides light and warmth to plants. However, the second line challenges this assertion by stating that "Law is the one / All gardeners obey". This suggests that law is not simply a force of nature, but rather a human construct that is created and enforced by those in power.
The third stanza introduces a new metaphor, comparing law to a "magic casement" that separates the individual from the world around them. This suggests that law can be both protective and restrictive, shielding individuals from harm while also limiting their freedom. The fourth stanza further explores this theme, stating that "Law is the wisdom of the old, / The impotent grandfathers feebly scold". This suggests that law is often seen as outdated and ineffective, perpetuating the values and beliefs of previous generations rather than adapting to the changing needs of society.
The fifth stanza offers a more positive view of law, comparing it to a "bright-eyed Justice" who "cries, Who will change old laws for new?" This suggests that law can be a force for positive change, encouraging individuals to challenge outdated norms and push for progress. However, the final stanza complicates this view by stating that "Law is the words / In my mouth that I cannot speak". This suggests that law can also be oppressive, preventing individuals from expressing themselves and exerting their autonomy.
Interpretation
"Law Like Love" is a complex and multifaceted poem that offers a nuanced exploration of the nature of law and its relationship to human nature. At its core, the poem suggests that law is a human construct that can be both positive and negative, depending on how it is used.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that law is a necessary evil, a tool that is used to maintain order and prevent chaos, but which can also be used to oppress and control individuals. The various metaphors used throughout the poem suggest that law is both a natural force and a human creation, and that it can be both protective and restrictive.
Another possible interpretation is that law is a reflection of the values and beliefs of a particular society. The poem suggests that law is often seen as outdated and ineffective, perpetuating the beliefs of previous generations rather than adapting to the needs of the present. However, it also suggests that law can be a force for positive change, encouraging individuals to challenge outdated norms and push for progress.
Overall, "Law Like Love" is a thought-provoking and complex poem that offers a nuanced exploration of the nature of law and its relationship to human nature. Through his use of powerful metaphors and vivid imagery, Auden invites his readers to consider the role of law in society and its impact on individual freedom and autonomy.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Law Like Love: A Masterpiece of Poetry
W.H. Auden's "Law Like Love" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the complex relationship between law and love. The poem is a reflection on the nature of law and how it is intertwined with love. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the line, "Law, say the gardeners, is the sun." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The gardeners are the ones who tend to the garden, and they see law as the sun that gives life to the garden. Law is seen as something that is necessary for life to exist. Without law, chaos would reign, and life would be impossible.
The next line, "Law is the one all the sheep obey," reinforces the idea that law is necessary for order to exist. The sheep are obedient to the law, and they follow it without question. This line also suggests that law is something that is imposed on us from the outside. We do not choose to follow the law; we are compelled to do so.
The third line, "All heads are bowed beneath its heavy rod," further emphasizes the idea that law is something that is imposed on us. The heavy rod is a symbol of the power of the law. It is something that we cannot escape from, and we must submit to its authority.
The fourth line, "A shade impervious to summer sun," suggests that law is something that is unchanging and eternal. It is a shade that protects us from the harshness of the world. It is something that we can rely on to be there, no matter what.
The next few lines of the poem explore the relationship between law and love. The line, "Law, like love, is a force to be reckoned with," suggests that law and love are similar in some ways. They are both powerful forces that can shape our lives. They are both things that we must reckon with.
The line, "Law, like love, is a rose," further emphasizes the similarities between law and love. The rose is a symbol of love, and it suggests that law can be beautiful and desirable. It is something that we can be drawn to, even if it is something that we must submit to.
The line, "The only hope of the world lies in the rule of law," suggests that law is something that is necessary for the world to be a better place. Without law, there would be chaos and disorder. The rule of law is something that we must strive for if we want to create a better world.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. The line, "Technique alone will not suffice," suggests that we cannot rely on technique or technology to solve all of our problems. We must also rely on the rule of law and the power of love.
The final line of the poem, "We must love one another or die," is a powerful statement about the importance of love in our lives. It suggests that love is something that is necessary for us to survive. Without love, we would be lost and alone.
In conclusion, "Law Like Love" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the complex relationship between law and love. The poem suggests that law is something that is necessary for order to exist, but it is also something that can be beautiful and desirable. The poem also suggests that love is something that is necessary for us to survive. Without love, we would be lost and alone. The final line of the poem, "We must love one another or die," is a powerful statement about the importance of love in our lives. It is a poem that is as relevant today as it was when it was first written.
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