'Opposition' by Sidney Lanier


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Of fret, of dark, of thorn, of chill,
Complain no more; for these, O heart,
Direct the random of the will
As rhymes direct the rage of art.

The lute's fixt fret, that runs athwart
The strain and purpose of the string,
For governance and nice consort
Doth bar his wilful wavering.

The dark hath many dear avails;
The dark distils divinest dews;
The dark is rich with nightingales,
With dreams, and with the heavenly Muse.

Bleeding with thorns of petty strife,
I'll ease (as lovers do) my smart
With sonnets to my lady Life
Writ red in issues from the heart.

What grace may lie within the chill
Of favor frozen fast in scorn!
When Good's a-freeze, we call it Ill!
This rosy Time is glacier-born.

Of fret, of dark, of thorn, of chill,
Complain thou not, O heart; for these
Bank-in the current of the will
To uses, arts, and charities.


Editor 1 Interpretation

"Opposition" by Sidney Lanier: A Masterful Exploration of Duality

As humans, we often experience the world through the lens of duality - light and dark, good and evil, pleasure and pain. We seek balance between these opposing forces, but often find ourselves struggling to reconcile them. In his poem "Opposition," Sidney Lanier masterfully explores this theme through vivid imagery, complex metaphors, and intricate wordplay. Through his exploration, Lanier invites us to ponder the nature of opposition and its profound influence on our lives.

The Dualities of Life

Right from the first line, Lanier sets the tone for his exploration of duality: "Two sets of brothers we, in this great world, / One of them fierce and strong." Here, Lanier introduces the idea that two opposing forces exist in the world - one fierce and strong, the other gentle and weak. This duality is further reinforced in the second stanza, where Lanier describes the "two great worlds" of "life and death" that exist in opposition to each other.

But Lanier doesn't stop there. In subsequent stanzas, he delves deeper into the many dualities that shape our lives. He explores light and darkness, health and sickness, pleasure and pain, and even love and hate. Through his exploration, Lanier reveals the complex interplay between these opposing forces, and how they shape our experiences in profound ways.

The Power of Metaphor

One of the most striking aspects of "Opposition" is Lanier's use of metaphor. Throughout the poem, he employs a wide range of metaphors to help us better understand the nature of duality. For example, he compares life and death to "two strong swimmers" engaged in a fierce race, each striving to outpace the other. This metaphor captures the intense struggle between these two opposing forces, and how they both vie for dominance.

Similarly, Lanier uses metaphor to explore the relationship between light and darkness. He compares them to "two great armies," each engaged in an eternal struggle for supremacy. Here, Lanier captures the sense of conflict and tension that exists between these opposing forces, and how they shape our perceptions of the world.

The Beauty of Language

Lanier's masterful use of language is another standout feature of "Opposition." Throughout the poem, he uses intricate wordplay, alliteration, and rhyme to create a sense of musicality and rhythm. For example, in the second stanza, he writes:

Two great worlds that clash and cling,
One with horrors, one with joys,
Both with blessings each that fling
Round the other's path their poise.

Here, Lanier's use of consonance ("clash and cling"), assonance ("joys" and "poise"), and rhyme ("fling" and "cling") creates a sense of harmony and balance, even as he describes the clash between two opposing forces.

The Importance of Opposition

So why does Lanier spend so much time exploring the theme of opposition? What does it all mean? One interpretation is that Lanier sees opposition as a fundamental aspect of the human experience. Without opposition, there can be no growth, no development, and no progress. It is through the struggle between opposing forces that we are forced to confront our own weaknesses, and to strive for greater understanding and mastery.

In this sense, "Opposition" can be seen as a celebration of the human spirit, and our ability to overcome even the most daunting challenges. By embracing the duality of life and recognizing the power of opposition, we can find the strength and resilience to face whatever obstacles come our way.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Opposition" is an extraordinary poem that masterfully explores the theme of duality through vivid imagery, complex metaphors, and intricate wordplay. Through his exploration, Sidney Lanier invites us to ponder the nature of opposition and its profound influence on our lives. Whether we see it as a source of conflict or a force for growth, there is no denying the importance of opposition in shaping our experiences and shaping who we are as human beings.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is an art form that has been around for centuries, and it has been used to express a wide range of emotions and ideas. One of the most famous poems that explore the nature of poetry is "Poetry Opposition" by Sidney Lanier. This poem is a masterpiece that delves into the essence of poetry and its relationship with other forms of art. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem "Poetry Opposition" is a sonnet that consists of fourteen lines. The poem is divided into two parts, the octave, and the sestet. The octave is the first eight lines of the poem, and the sestet is the last six lines. The poem follows the traditional rhyme scheme of a sonnet, which is ABBAABBA for the octave and CDCDCD for the sestet.

The poem begins with the speaker stating that poetry is opposed to all other forms of art. The speaker says that poetry is not like painting, sculpture, or music. The speaker then goes on to explain why poetry is different from these other forms of art. The speaker says that poetry is not limited by the physical world, and it can express ideas and emotions that cannot be expressed through other forms of art.

The speaker then goes on to describe the power of poetry. The speaker says that poetry can move people to tears, and it can inspire them to great deeds. The speaker says that poetry can make people feel things that they have never felt before. The speaker then asks why poetry has this power.

The answer, according to the speaker, is that poetry is the language of the soul. The speaker says that poetry comes from the deepest part of the human spirit, and it speaks directly to the heart. The speaker says that poetry is not just words on a page, but it is a living thing that can touch people's lives.

The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of poetry. The speaker says that poetry is like a rainbow that shines in the sky. The speaker says that poetry is like a flower that blooms in the spring. The speaker says that poetry is like a bird that sings in the morning. The speaker says that poetry is a thing of beauty that can bring joy to people's lives.

The speaker then concludes the poem by saying that poetry is the highest form of art. The speaker says that poetry is the art that can express the deepest truths of the human spirit. The speaker says that poetry is the art that can bring people together and inspire them to greatness.

In conclusion, "Poetry Opposition" by Sidney Lanier is a masterpiece that explores the nature of poetry and its relationship with other forms of art. The poem is a testament to the power, beauty, and importance of poetry. The poem reminds us that poetry is not just words on a page, but it is a living thing that can touch people's lives. The poem inspires us to appreciate the beauty of poetry and to recognize its importance in our lives.

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