'Great Lover, The' by Rupert Brooke
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I have been so great a lover:filled my days
So proudly with the splendour of Love's praise,
The pain, the calm, and the astonishment,
Desire illimitable, and still content,
And all dear names men use, to cheat despair,
For the perplexed and viewless streams that bear
Our hearts at random down the dark of life.
Now, ere the unthinking silence on that strife
Steals down, I would cheat drowsy Death so far,
My night shall be remembered for a star
That outshone all the suns of all men's days.
Shall I not crown them with immortal praise
Whom I have loved, who have given me, dared with me
High secrets, and in darkness knelt to see
The inenarrable godhead of delight?
Love is a flame; -- we have beaconed the world's night.
A city: -- and we have built it, these and I.
An emperor: -- we have taught the world to die.
So, for their sakes I loved, ere I go hence,
And the high cause of Love's magnificence,
And to keep loyalties young, I'll write those names
Golden for ever, eagles, crying flames,
And set them as a banner, that men may know,
To dare the generations, burn, and blow
Out on the wind of Time, shining and streaming. . . .
These I have loved:
White plates and cups, clean-gleaming,
Ringed with blue lines; and feathery, faery dust;
Wet roofs, beneath the lamp-light; the strong crust
Of friendly bread; and many-tasting food;
Rainbows; and the blue bitter smoke of wood;
And radiant raindrops couching in cool flowers;
And flowers themselves, that sway through sunny hours,
Dreaming of moths that drink them under the moon;
Then, the cool kindliness of sheets, that soon
Smooth away trouble; and the rough male kiss
Of blankets; grainy wood; live hair that is
Shining and free; blue-massing clouds; the keen
Unpassioned beauty of a great machine;
The benison of hot water; furs to touch;
The good smell of old clothes; and other such --
The comfortable smell of friendly fingers,
Hair's fragrance, and the musty reek that lingers
About dead leaves and last year's ferns. . . .
Dear names,
And thousand other throng to me!Royal flames;
Sweet water's dimpling laugh from tap or spring;
Holes in the ground; and voices that do sing;
Voices in laughter, too; and body's pain,
Soon turned to peace; and the deep-panting train;
Firm sands; the little dulling edge of foam
That browns and dwindles as the wave goes home;
And washen stones, gay for an hour; the cold
Graveness of iron; moist black earthen mould;
Sleep; and high places; footprints in the dew;
And oaks; and brown horse-chestnuts, glossy-new;
And new-peeled sticks; and shining pools on grass; --
All these have been my loves.And these shall pass,
Whatever passes not, in the great hour,
Nor all my passion, all my prayers, have power
To hold them with me through the gate of Death.
They'll play deserter, turn with the traitor breath,
Break the high bond we made, and sell Love's trust
And sacramented covenant to the dust.
---- Oh, never a doubt but, somewhere, I shall wake,
And give what's left of love again, and make
New friends, now strangers. . . .
But the best I've known,
Stays here, and changes, breaks, grows old, is blown
About the winds of the world, and fades from brains
Of living men, and dies.
Nothing remains.
O dear my loves, O faithless, once again
This one last gift I give:that after men
Shall know, and later lovers, far-removed,
Praise you, "All these were lovely"; say, "He loved."
Mataiea, 1914
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Rupert Brooke is one of the most significant poets of the 20th century. His poetry is characterized by its romantic and idealistic themes, as well as its vivid imagery and musical language. One of his most famous works is the poem The Great Lover, which was published in 1914. This poem has been the subject of much critical analysis and interpretation, and it continues to fascinate readers and scholars alike. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of The Great Lover in detail.
Analysis
Themes
The Great Lover is a poem that explores the themes of love, beauty, and mortality. The narrator of the poem is an idealistic young man who is searching for a great lover who can fulfill his deepest desires. He is looking for someone who can embody the beauty and perfection that he sees in nature, art, and literature. However, he is aware that this search is ultimately futile, as he will never find a lover who can live up to his expectations. The poem is thus a meditation on the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of death.
Imagery
The imagery in The Great Lover is rich and evocative. Brooke uses vivid descriptions of the natural world to create a sense of beauty and wonder. For example, in the opening lines of the poem, the narrator describes the sun as "a flame in a hedge" and the sea as "a grey mist on the sea's face". These images suggest a sense of mystery and enchantment, as though the natural world is full of hidden secrets and treasures.
Brooke also makes use of literary and artistic imagery to convey his romantic ideals. He compares his lover to a "scarlet thread" in a tapestry, suggesting that she is an essential and integral part of the fabric of life. He also invokes the classical myth of Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection, to suggest the idea that the lover is a source of self-discovery and enlightenment.
Language
The language of The Great Lover is musical and lyrical. Brooke uses a variety of poetic techniques to create a sense of rhythm and flow in the poem. For example, he uses alliteration, assonance, and internal rhyme to create a sense of harmony and balance. He also uses enjambment to create a sense of momentum and fluidity.
Brooke's use of language is also highly visual and sensory. He describes the natural world in vivid detail, using sensory language to capture the sights, sounds, and smells of the world around him. This sensory language creates a sense of immersion and engagement, as though the reader is experiencing the world alongside the narrator of the poem.
Interpretation
The central message of The Great Lover is one of romantic idealism and the search for perfection. The narrator of the poem is looking for a lover who can embody the beauty and perfection that he sees in the world around him. However, he is aware that this search is ultimately futile, as he will never find a lover who can live up to his expectations. The poem is thus a meditation on the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of death.
At the same time, the poem can also be read as a critique of romantic idealism. The narrator's search for a perfect lover is ultimately shown to be misguided and futile. He is searching for something that does not exist, and in doing so, he is ignoring the real joys and pleasures of life. The poem can thus be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pursuing unrealistic ideals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Great Lover is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of love, beauty, and mortality. Brooke's use of vivid imagery and musical language creates a sense of enchantment and wonder, while his exploration of romantic idealism and its pitfalls gives the poem a depth and complexity that continues to captivate readers today. Whether read as a celebration of the beauty of life or a warning against the dangers of unrealistic ideals, The Great Lover is a poem that speaks to the heart and the soul.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Great Lover by Rupert Brooke is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of love and passion. The poem is a celebration of life and the joys of being alive. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its meaning and significance.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It begins with the line, "I have been so great a lover: filled my days." This line establishes the speaker's identity as a great lover. The use of the word "great" suggests that the speaker is not just any lover but someone who has experienced love to its fullest. The line "filled my days" suggests that the speaker has lived a full life, and love has been a significant part of it.
The second line of the first stanza, "So proudly with it as to have the praise," suggests that the speaker is proud of his love and wants recognition for it. The use of the word "praise" suggests that the speaker wants to be acknowledged for his love and passion. The third line, "But now you're gone, and I am fallow ground," suggests that the speaker's love has left him, and he is now empty and barren. The use of the word "fallow" suggests that the speaker is no longer productive and has lost his purpose.
The second stanza begins with the line, "Love has done this to me; made me no longer myself." This line suggests that love has transformed the speaker and changed him into someone else. The use of the word "myself" suggests that the speaker has lost his identity and is now someone else entirely. The second line, "I am yours, you are mine, you are what you are," suggests that the speaker is now completely devoted to his lover. The use of the word "yours" suggests that the speaker belongs to his lover, and the use of the word "mine" suggests that his lover belongs to him. The third line, "You make it hard to be faithful and be true," suggests that the speaker is struggling to remain faithful to his lover. The use of the word "hard" suggests that the speaker is finding it difficult to resist temptation.
The third stanza begins with the line, "For people die, and you and I must die." This line suggests that death is inevitable and that everyone will eventually die. The use of the word "must" suggests that death is a certainty and cannot be avoided. The second line, "Even this great loves will one day lie," suggests that even the greatest love will eventually come to an end. The use of the word "lie" suggests that love will eventually become dormant and fade away. The third line, "When those that chronicle these times are gone," suggests that the memory of love will eventually fade away. The use of the word "chronicle" suggests that love will eventually become a part of history and will be forgotten.
The Great Lover is a poem that is rich in imagery. The use of imagery in the poem helps to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. In the first stanza, the line "filled my days" creates an image of a life that is full of love and passion. The use of the word "filled" suggests that the speaker's life has been overflowing with love. The line "But now you're gone, and I am fallow ground" creates an image of a barren land that is no longer productive. The use of the word "fallow" suggests that the speaker is no longer productive and has lost his purpose.
In the second stanza, the line "Love has done this to me; made me no longer myself" creates an image of a person who has been transformed by love. The use of the word "myself" suggests that the speaker has lost his identity and is now someone else entirely. The line "I am yours, you are mine, you are what you are" creates an image of two people who are completely devoted to each other. The use of the word "yours" suggests that the speaker belongs to his lover, and the use of the word "mine" suggests that his lover belongs to him.
In the third stanza, the line "For people die, and you and I must die" creates an image of the inevitability of death. The use of the word "must" suggests that death is a certainty and cannot be avoided. The line "Even this great loves will one day lie" creates an image of love that has become dormant and faded away. The use of the word "lie" suggests that love will eventually become dormant and fade away.
The language used in The Great Lover is simple yet powerful. The use of simple language helps to convey the message of the poem in a clear and concise manner. The use of powerful language helps to create a sense of emotion and passion in the reader. The use of the word "great" in the first stanza suggests that the speaker is not just any lover but someone who has experienced love to its fullest. The use of the word "praise" suggests that the speaker wants to be acknowledged for his love and passion. The use of the word "fallow" suggests that the speaker is no longer productive and has lost his purpose.
In the second stanza, the use of the word "hard" suggests that the speaker is finding it difficult to resist temptation. The use of the word "faithful" suggests that the speaker is struggling to remain loyal to his lover. The use of the word "true" suggests that the speaker is struggling to remain honest with his lover.
In the third stanza, the use of the word "chronicle" suggests that love will eventually become a part of history and will be forgotten. The use of the word "lie" suggests that love will eventually become dormant and fade away. The use of the word "great" in the first stanza is repeated in the third stanza, suggesting that even the greatest love will eventually come to an end.
In conclusion, The Great Lover by Rupert Brooke is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of love and passion. The poem is a celebration of life and the joys of being alive. The use of imagery and language in the poem helps to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The poem is a reminder that even the greatest love will eventually come to an end, and that death is inevitable. The Great Lover is a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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