'The Harpy' by Robert Service
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There was a woman, and she was wise; woefully wise was she;
She was old, so old, yet her years all told were but a score and three;
And she knew by heart, from finish to start, the Book of Iniquity.
There is no hope for such as I on earth, nor yet in Heaven;
Unloved I live, unloved I die, unpitied, unforgiven;
A loathed jade, I ply my trade, unhallowed and unshriven.
I paint my cheeks, for they are white, and cheeks of chalk men hate;
Mine eyes with wine I make them shine, that man may seek and sate;
With overhead a lamp of red I sit me down and wait
Until they come, the nightly scum, with drunken eyes aflame;
Your sweethearts, sons, ye scornful ones -- 'tis I who know their shame.
The gods, ye see, are brutes to me -- and so I play my game.
For life is not the thing we thought, and not the thing we plan;
And Woman in a bitter world must do the best she can --
Must yield the stroke, and bear the yoke, and serve the will of man;
Must serve his need and ever feed the flame of his desire,
Though be she loved for love alone, or be she loved for hire;
For every man since life began is tainted with the mire.
And though you know he love you so and set you on love's throne;
Yet let your eyes but mock his sighs, and let your heart be stone,
Lest you be left (as I was left) attainted and alone.
From love's close kiss to hell's abyss is one sheer flight, I trow,
And wedding ring and bridal bell are will-o'-wisps of woe,
And 'tis not wise to love too well, and this all women know.
Wherefore, the wolf-pack having gorged upon the lamb, their prey,
With siren smile and serpent guile I make the wolf-pack pay --
With velvet paws and flensing claws, a tigress roused to slay.
One who in youth sought truest truth and found a devil's lies;
A symbol of the sin of man, a human sacrifice.
Yet shall I blame on man the shame? Could it be otherwise?
Was I not born to walk in scorn where others walk in pride?
The Maker marred, and, evil-starred, I drift upon His tide;
And He alone shall judge His own, so I His judgment bide.
Fate has written a tragedy; its name is "The Human Heart".
The Theatre is the House of Life, Woman the mummer's part;
The Devil enters the prompter's box and the play is ready to start.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Harpy by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Gothic Poetry
When it comes to dark and eerie poetry, Robert Service is a name that should never be left out. Known for his haunting verses that explore the depths of the human soul and the mysteries of the supernatural, Service has left us with some of the most memorable poems of the 20th century. Among them, The Harpy stands out as a masterpiece of Gothic poetry, a chilling tale of death and desire that will leave you both fascinated and frightened.
The Setting: A Desolate Island in the North
The Harpy takes place on a desolate island in the North, where the wind howls and the waves crash against the rocky shore. Here, in a ruined castle, lives an old and wealthy lord who has everything he could wish for, except for one thing: the love of a beautiful young woman. This longing, this obsession, is what drives the narrative of the poem, as the lord is willing to go to any length to have what he desires.
The Harpy: A Female Demon of Greek Mythology
The title of the poem refers to the Harpy, a female demon of Greek mythology that was said to have the face of a woman and the body of a bird. But in Service's poem, the Harpy is not a mere mythological creature, but a real woman, a temptress who comes to the lord in his dreams and offers him the love he craves. The Harpy is both alluring and terrifying, a symbol of the lord's deepest desires and darkest fears.
The Lord: A Tragic Figure of Obsession and Madness
The lord is the central character of the poem, and his obsession with the Harpy is what drives the narrative forward. At first, he is hesitant to give in to his desires, knowing that the Harpy is not a mere mortal, but a creature of the supernatural. But as his longing grows stronger and his sanity begins to slip, he becomes more and more willing to do whatever it takes to have the Harpy by his side.
The Gothic Elements: Death, Decay, and Despair
As with most of Service's poetry, The Harpy is full of Gothic elements that create a sense of darkness, doom, and despair. The castle where the lord lives is a ruin, a symbol of decay and death. The wind and the waves are constant reminders of the harsh and unforgiving nature of the North. And the Harpy herself is a creature of the supernatural, a symbol of the unknown and the unknowable.
The Structure: A Narrative Poem with a Twist Ending
The Harpy is a narrative poem that tells a story from beginning to end. But what sets it apart from other narrative poems is the twist ending that takes the reader by surprise. The final stanza of the poem reveals that the Harpy was not a supernatural creature at all, but a mortal woman who was driven to madness by the lord's obsession. This twist ending not only adds to the Gothic atmosphere of the poem but also raises questions about the nature of love, desire, and madness.
The Language: Haunting, Dark, and Beautiful
Service's language in The Harpy is haunting, dark, and beautiful. His use of imagery, metaphors, and symbolism creates a rich and evocative atmosphere that draws the reader in and holds them captive. The repetition of the phrase "Come to me" creates a sense of urgency and desire, while the use of alliteration and assonance adds to the musicality of the poem.
The Interpretation: A Cautionary Tale of Obsession and Madness
At its core, The Harpy is a cautionary tale of obsession and madness. It shows how the desire for something unattainable can drive a person to the brink of insanity, and how the line between reality and fantasy can become blurred. The lord's obsession with the Harpy is a warning against the dangers of uncontrolled desire, and the twist ending is a reminder that what we desire may not always be what we think it is.
The Legacy: A Timeless Poem of Gothic Horror
The Harpy is a timeless poem of Gothic horror that has stood the test of time. It remains as haunting and evocative today as it did when it was first published in 1907. Its themes of obsession, desire, and madness are as relevant today as they were a century ago, and its twist ending still takes readers by surprise. The Harpy is a masterpiece of poetry that will continue to captivate and terrify readers for generations to come.
In conclusion, The Harpy is a masterpiece of Gothic poetry that explores the depths of the human soul and the mysteries of the supernatural. It is a cautionary tale of obsession and madness that remains as haunting and evocative today as it did when it was first published over a century ago. Its legacy as a timeless poem of Gothic horror is secure, and it will continue to captivate and terrify readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Harpy: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you must have come across Robert Service's The Harpy. This poem is a masterpiece that tells a story of a mythical creature that is both terrifying and fascinating. The Harpy is a creature that has been depicted in various forms of art, literature, and mythology for centuries. However, Robert Service's version of the Harpy is unique and captivating.
The poem begins with the description of the Harpy, a creature with "claws like steel" and "eyes like fire." The Harpy is a bird-like creature that is known for its ferocity and its ability to snatch away its prey. The Harpy is also known for its beauty, which is described in the poem as "a face so fair, so full of grace." This contrast between the Harpy's beauty and its ferocity is what makes the creature so fascinating.
The poem then goes on to describe the Harpy's hunt for its prey. The Harpy is depicted as a creature that is relentless in its pursuit of its prey. It swoops down from the sky and snatches away its victim with its powerful claws. The Harpy is also depicted as a creature that is cunning and intelligent. It knows how to lure its prey into a trap and then strike when the time is right.
The Harpy is also depicted as a creature that is feared by all. The people in the poem are described as being afraid of the Harpy and its power. They know that if they cross the Harpy, they will be its next victim. This fear is what makes the Harpy so powerful and so fascinating.
The poem then takes a turn when the Harpy is confronted by a man. The man is described as being brave and fearless. He stands up to the Harpy and challenges it to a fight. The Harpy accepts the challenge, and the two engage in a fierce battle. The man is able to hold his own against the Harpy, but in the end, he is no match for the creature's power.
The poem ends with the Harpy victorious and the man defeated. The Harpy is described as being triumphant and powerful. The man is described as being broken and defeated. This ending is a reminder of the power of nature and the futility of man's attempts to conquer it.
The Harpy is a poem that is full of symbolism and meaning. The Harpy represents the power of nature and the fear that it can inspire in people. The man represents the arrogance of humanity and its attempts to conquer nature. The poem is a reminder that nature is more powerful than man and that we must respect it if we want to survive.
In conclusion, The Harpy is a classic poem that is both terrifying and fascinating. Robert Service's depiction of the Harpy is unique and captivating. The poem is full of symbolism and meaning, and it is a reminder of the power of nature and the futility of man's attempts to conquer it. If you haven't read The Harpy yet, then you're missing out on a true masterpiece of poetry.
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