'Master And Mistress' by Stanley Kunitz


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


As if I were composed of dust and air,
The shape confronting me upon the stair
(Athlete of shadow, lighted by a stain
On its disjunctive breast--I saw it plain--)
Moved through my middle flesh. I turned around,
Shaken and it was marching without sound
Beyond the door; and when my hand was taken

From my mouth to beat the standing heart, I cried
My distant name, thinking myself had died.
One moment I was entered; one moment then
I knew a total century of pain
Between the twinkling of two thoughts. The ghost
Knocked on my ribs, demanding, "Host! Host!
I am diseased with motion. Give me bread
Before I quickly go. Shall I be fed?"
Yielding, I begged of him: "Partake of me.
Whatever runneth from the artery,
This body and its unfamiliar wine,
Stored in whatever dark of love, are thine."
But he denied me, saying, "Every part
of thee is given, yea, thy flesh, thy heart."


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Master and Mistress: A Masterpiece of Love and Loyalty

Stanley Kunitz's "Master and Mistress" is a masterpiece of love and loyalty that touches the heart of every reader. The poem is a tribute to the long-lasting bond between a horse and his master, which goes beyond words and lasts a lifetime. The poet's depiction of the relationship between the two characters is not only moving but also thought-provoking, and leaves the reader pondering on the meaning of true friendship and loyalty.

Poem Analysis

The poem consists of four stanzas, each comprising six lines. The poem's structure is uncomplicated, and the rhythm flows flawlessly, conveying the poem's mood and tone. The poet uses two contrasting characters to depict the relationship between the two. The 'master' represents the authority, power, and control, while the 'mistress' represents the gentleness, grace, and love.

In the first stanza, the horse is introduced as the 'master's' pride, and his 'mistress's' joy, as they both stand in awe of his beauty and strength. The poet uses vivid imagery to describe the horse's physical appearance, his "coat a silk of chestnut," "eyes two flames of polished jet," and "his mane, a tossing river." The horse's beauty is so overwhelming that it brings the master and mistress together in admiration.

In the second stanza, the poet portrays the master's and mistress's love for the horse. They both care for him, feed him, and keep him healthy. They have formed a strong bond with the horse that goes beyond mere ownership. The horse, in turn, reciprocates their love and loyalty. He trusts them, listens to them, and follows them wherever they go.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a dramatic turn. The horse falls ill and is unable to stand. The master and mistress are devastated, and their love for the horse is put to the test. They work tirelessly to nurse him back to health, but in the end, they realize that the horse will never be the same again. The horse is now weak and frail, and his once majestic beauty is lost forever.

In the final stanza, the poet brings the poem to a close with a poignant message of love and loyalty. The master and mistress have accepted the horse's fate, and they continue to care for him despite his physical limitations. They cherish the memories of the horse's beauty and strength and vow to keep him safe and happy for the rest of his life. The poem ends on a hopeful note that their bond will never be broken, even in death.

Theme and Significance

The poem's theme is the power of love and loyalty that transcends death. The poem's significance lies in its portrayal of the bond between humans and animals, which is often overlooked in literature. The poem highlights the fact that animals are not just pets or possessions but living beings with emotions and personalities. The horse in the poem is not just a 'thing' to the master and mistress but a living creature they love and care for.

The poem also highlights the importance of caring for an animal, even when it falls ill or becomes old. The master and mistress's dedication to the horse's well-being is a message of compassion and responsibility. The poem teaches us that we are responsible for the animals we bring into our lives and that we must care for them until the end.

Poetic Techniques

The poet uses several poetic techniques to convey the poem's themes and messages. The most prominent of these is the use of imagery. The poet's words paint a vivid picture of the horse's beauty and strength, making it easy for the reader to visualize the animal. The imagery also captures the emotions of the master and mistress, making the reader feel their love and devotion to the horse.

The poem's structure is also significant, with each stanza representing a different stage in the horse's life. The first stanza portrays the horse's strength and beauty, the second his love and loyalty, the third his illness and frailty, and the fourth his acceptance and love. The structure adds depth and meaning to the poem, making it more than just a story about a horse.

The poet also uses repetition to emphasize the poem's message of love and loyalty. The phrase "master and mistress" is repeated throughout the poem, highlighting the two characters' unity and shared responsibility. The repetition also emphasizes the importance of their bond with the horse.

Conclusion

Master and Mistress is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of love and loyalty between humans and animals. The poem's vivid imagery, simple structure, and poetic techniques make it a masterpiece of literature. The poem is not just a tribute to the bond between a horse and his master but a message of compassion, responsibility, and acceptance. The poem's message is timeless, and its significance will resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Master And Mistress: A Poem of Love and Power

Stanley Kunitz’s poem, Master And Mistress, is a masterpiece of love and power. It is a poem that explores the dynamics of a relationship between a man and a woman, and the power struggle that exists between them. The poem is a beautiful and complex work of art that requires a detailed analysis to fully appreciate its beauty and depth.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the mistress as a “wild thing” who is “unbroken” and “untamed”. This description sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the power dynamic between the master and the mistress. The mistress is portrayed as a powerful and independent woman who is not easily controlled or tamed by her master.

The speaker goes on to describe the master as a “hunter” who is “patient” and “cunning”. This description further establishes the power dynamic between the master and the mistress, as it portrays the master as a man who is skilled in the art of hunting and who is able to patiently wait for his prey.

The poem then takes a turn, as the speaker describes the master and the mistress coming together in a moment of passion. The speaker describes the mistress as “yielding” and “soft”, while the master is described as “strong” and “dominant”. This moment of passion is a turning point in the poem, as it shows the power dynamic shifting from the mistress to the master.

The poem then takes another turn, as the speaker describes the aftermath of the moment of passion. The mistress is described as “broken” and “tamed”, while the master is described as “victorious” and “triumphant”. This shift in power dynamic is a reflection of the societal norms of the time, where men were expected to be dominant and women were expected to be submissive.

However, the poem does not end there. The speaker goes on to describe the mistress as “still wild” and “unbroken”, despite her moment of submission to the master. This description is a reminder that the mistress is still a powerful and independent woman, and that her moment of submission does not define her.

The poem ends with the speaker describing the master and the mistress as “two creatures” who are “bound” together. This description is a reflection of the complex relationship between the master and the mistress, where they are both bound to each other by their love and their power struggle.

In conclusion, Stanley Kunitz’s poem, Master And Mistress, is a beautiful and complex work of art that explores the dynamics of a relationship between a man and a woman. The poem is a reflection of the societal norms of the time, where men were expected to be dominant and women were expected to be submissive. However, the poem also challenges these norms by portraying the mistress as a powerful and independent woman who is not easily controlled or tamed by her master. The poem is a reminder that love and power are complex and intertwined, and that the dynamics of a relationship are never simple.

Editor Recommended Sites

Cloud Blueprints - Terraform Templates & Multi Cloud CDK AIC: Learn the best multi cloud terraform and IAC techniques
ML Assets: Machine learning assets ready to deploy. Open models, language models, API gateways for LLMs
Deep Dive Video: Deep dive courses for LLMs, machine learning and software engineering
Share knowledge App: Curated knowledge sharing for large language models and chatGPT, multi-modal combinations, model merging
Entity Resolution: Record linkage and customer resolution centralization for customer data records. Techniques, best practice and latest literature

Recommended Similar Analysis

Godmother by Dorothy Parker analysis
The Oxen by Thomas Hardy analysis
Night Poem by Margaret Atwood analysis
A Girl by Ezra Pound analysis
Knight 's Tomb, The by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
White Fog by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Victory comes late, by Emily Dickinson analysis
Design by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair by Stephen C. Foster analysis
Whitelight by Carl Sandburg analysis