'Dedication' by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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Dedication
These to His Memory--since he held them dear,
Perchance as finding there unconsciously
Some image of himself--I dedicate,
I dedicate, I consecrate with tears--
These Idylls.
And indeed He seems to me
Scarce other than my king's ideal knight,
`Who reverenced his conscience as his king;
Whose glory was, redressing human wrong;
Who spake no slander, no, nor listened to it;
Who loved one only and who clave to her--'
Her--over all whose realms to their last isle,
Commingled with the gloom of imminent war,
The shadow of His loss drew like eclipse,
Darkening the world.We have lost him:he is gone:
We know him now:all narrow jealousies
Are silent; and we see him as he moved,
How modest, kindly, all-accomplished, wise,
With what sublime repression of himself,
And in what limits, and how tenderly;
Not swaying to this faction or to that;
Not making his high place the lawless perch
Of winged ambitions, nor a vantage-ground
For pleasure; but through all this tract of years
Wearing the white flower of a blameless life,
Before a thousand peering littlenesses,
In that fierce light which beats upon a throne,
And blackens every blot:for where is he,
Who dares foreshadow for an only son
A lovelier life, a more unstained, than his?
Or how should England dreaming of HIS sons
Hope more for these than some inheritance
Of such a life, a heart, a mind as thine,
Thou noble Father of her Kings to be,
Laborious for her people and her poor--
Voice in the rich dawn of an ampler day--
Far-sighted summoner of War and Waste
To fruitful strifes and rivalries of peace--
Sweet nature gilded by the gracious gleam
Of letters, dear to Science, dear to Art,
Dear to thy land and ours, a Prince indeed,
Beyond all titles, and a household name,
Hereafter, through all times, Albert the Good.
Break not, O woman's-heart, but still endure;
Break not, for thou art Royal, but endure,
Remembering all the beauty of that star
Which shone so close beside Thee that ye made
One light together, but has past and leaves
The Crown a lonely splendour.
May all love,
His love, unseen but felt, o'ershadow Thee,
The love of all Thy sons encompass Thee,
The love of all Thy daughters cherish Thee,
The love of all Thy people comfort Thee,
Till God's love set Thee at his side again!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
When it comes to classic poetry, few names stand out as prominently as Alfred, Lord Tennyson. One of his most iconic works is "Dedication," a poem that is both moving and inspiring. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the meaning and significance of this powerful poem, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
Overview
"Dedication" was written by Tennyson in 1862, and was originally part of a larger work entitled "In Memoriam A.H.H." The poem is dedicated to Arthur Henry Hallam, a close friend of Tennyson's who died at the young age of 22. The entire work is a tribute to Hallam, and explores themes of grief, loss, and the search for meaning in a world that can sometimes seem cruel and senseless.
Interpretation
The poem begins with the lines:
Dear, near and true- no truer Time himself
Can prove you, though he make you evermore
Dearer and nearer, as the rapid of life
Shoots to the fall-
These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing a sense of intimacy and closeness between the speaker and the person being addressed. The words "dear, near, and true" are almost musical in their repetition, creating a sense of rhythm and flow that draws the reader in. There is also a sense of timelessness here, as the speaker suggests that the person being addressed is timeless, and will only grow closer and more dear as time goes on.
The poem then moves into a series of stanzas that explore different aspects of the speaker's relationship with the person being addressed. In one stanza, the speaker talks about the person's "radiant face," and the way that it seems to light up the world around them. In another stanza, the speaker talks about the person's "gentle heart," and the way that it brings comfort and solace to those around them.
Throughout these stanzas, there is a recurring theme of light and darkness. The person being addressed is portrayed as a source of light in a world that can often seem dark and oppressive. This theme of light and darkness is particularly poignant given that the poem was written in the aftermath of Hallam's death. It suggests that even in the darkest of times, there are still sources of light and hope to be found.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly moving, as it brings together all of the themes and imagery that have been explored throughout the rest of the work:
O true and tried, so well and long,
Demand not thou a marriage lay;
In that it is thy marriage day
Is music more than any song.
Nor have I ever felt so strong,
As now to tell thee and to say,
That if thou ever wert away,
I'd rather lose the sight of all
Than miss thy gentleness and grace;
The fiower of my age, not that new bud
That comes to bloom in newer May.
And take my blessing, and long life,
And glory like a morning star;
But not to me to live alone,
A sterile crow in a painted grove,
Hungry for idle praise, and fond
Of garlands, woven ere I move.
Here, the speaker is expressing his deep love and affection for the person being addressed. He is saying that their presence is more important to him than anything else in the world, and that he would rather lose everything than lose them. The image of the "flower of my age" is particularly poignant, suggesting that the person being addressed is a rare and beautiful thing that has bloomed in the speaker's life, and that he cherishes above all else.
The final lines of the poem are also significant, as they suggest that the speaker is not interested in living a life of idle praise and admiration. He wants to live a rich and meaningful life, and he recognizes that the person being addressed is an integral part of that. It is through their presence and influence that he is able to find purpose and meaning in his own life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Dedication" is a powerful and moving tribute to a lost friend. Through its themes of light and darkness, love and loss, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world, the poem speaks to the human experience in a profound and timeless way. Tennyson's language is lyrical and evocative, drawing the reader in and creating a sense of intimacy and connection. Ultimately, "Dedication" is a testament to the enduring power of love and friendship, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and light to be found.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Alfred, Lord Tennyson is a name that is synonymous with the Victorian era of literature. His works have been studied and analyzed for centuries, and his poetry continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of his most famous works is the Poetry Dedication, a poem that is both beautiful and complex in its meaning.
The Poetry Dedication was written by Tennyson in 1872, and it was included in the first edition of his collection of poems entitled "Gareth and Lynette." The poem is a dedication to his friend and fellow poet, Arthur Henry Hallam, who had died suddenly at the young age of 22. Hallam was engaged to Tennyson's sister, and his death had a profound impact on Tennyson's life and work.
The poem is written in Tennyson's signature style, with its flowing language and vivid imagery. It is a tribute to Hallam's life and work, and it is also a reflection on the nature of poetry itself. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of poetry and its relationship to the human experience.
The first stanza of the poem is a tribute to Hallam's life and work. Tennyson describes him as a "young Apollo" and a "soul of fire," emphasizing his talent and passion for poetry. He also speaks of Hallam's untimely death, describing it as a "blow" that left him "stunned and still." This stanza is a powerful tribute to Hallam's life and work, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The second stanza of the poem is a reflection on the nature of poetry itself. Tennyson describes poetry as a "voice" that speaks to the human soul, and he emphasizes its ability to capture the essence of human experience. He speaks of poetry as a "mirror" that reflects the world around us, and he emphasizes its ability to capture the beauty and complexity of life. This stanza is a powerful reflection on the power of poetry, and it emphasizes the importance of poetry in our lives.
The third and final stanza of the poem is a tribute to Hallam's legacy. Tennyson speaks of Hallam's "immortal" work, emphasizing its ability to transcend time and space. He also speaks of the power of poetry to connect us to the past, present, and future, and he emphasizes its ability to inspire and uplift us. This stanza is a powerful tribute to Hallam's legacy, and it emphasizes the importance of poetry in our lives.
Overall, the Poetry Dedication is a powerful tribute to the life and work of Arthur Henry Hallam, and it is also a reflection on the nature of poetry itself. Tennyson's use of vivid imagery and flowing language creates a powerful and emotional tribute to his friend, and it emphasizes the importance of poetry in our lives. The poem is a testament to Tennyson's talent as a poet, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.
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