'Voice , The' by Rupert Brooke


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Safe in the magic of my woods
I lay, and watched the dying light.
Faint in the pale high solitudes,
And washed with rain and veiled by night,

Silver and blue and green were showing.
And the dark woods grew darker still;
And birds were hushed; and peace was growing;
And quietness crept up the hill;

And no wind was blowing

And I knew
That this was the hour of knowing,
And the night and the woods and you
Were one together, and I should find
Soon in the silence the hidden key
Of all that had hurt and puzzled me --
Why you were you, and the night was kind,
And the woods were part of the heart of me.

And there I waited breathlessly,
Alone; and slowly the holy three,
The three that I loved, together grew
One, in the hour of knowing,
Night, and the woods, and you ----

And suddenly
There was an uproar in my woods,

The noise of a fool in mock distress,
Crashing and laughing and blindly going,
Of ignorant feet and a swishing dress,
And a Voice profaning the solitudes.

The spell was broken, the key denied me
And at length your flat clear voice beside me
Mouthed cheerful clear flat platitudes.

You came and quacked beside me in the wood.
You said, "The view from here is very good!"
You said, "It's nice to be alone a bit!"
And, "How the days are drawing out!" you said.
You said, "The sunset's pretty, isn't it?"

*****

By God! I wish -- I wish that you were dead!


Editor 1 Interpretation

Rupert Brooke's "The Voice": A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

"Oh, that voice!" one might exclaim after reading Rupert Brooke's poem "The Voice." This sonnet, written in 1913, is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to a lover who has passed away. Brooke, an English poet famous for his war poetry, showcases his lyrical skills with his use of evocative language, vivid imagery, and subtle irony in this piece. In this literary criticism, I will discuss the themes, structure, and poetic devices used in "The Voice" to shed light on Brooke's artistic vision.

Summary

"The Voice" is a love poem that is tinged with sadness and longing. The poet speaks directly to his beloved, who has died, and expresses his desire to hear her voice again. The poem is structured as a Shakespearean sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Brooke uses iambic pentameter to give the poem a musical quality, and the language is rich with metaphors and allusions.

The first quatrain sets the scene with a description of a "cold wind" blowing and the poet's "lonely" state. He longs to hear the "voice" of his beloved, which he imagines as a "silver" sound that would bring him comfort. In the second quatrain, the poet reflects on the irony of his situation: he can hear the voice of nature, but not the voice of his loved one. He imagines her voice as "water" and "wind," two elements that are often associated with emotions and spirituality.

The third quatrain is a turning point in the poem, as the poet begins to address his beloved directly. He confesses his longing for her and wonders if he will ever hear her voice again. The final couplet is a resolution of sorts, as the poet realizes that he will never hear her voice again in the physical sense. However, he takes comfort in the fact that her voice lives on in his memory and in the natural world around him.

Themes

One of the main themes of "The Voice" is the power of memory. The poet's longing for his beloved's voice is fueled by his memories of her. He imagines her voice as a "silver" sound, which suggests that it is precious and valuable. The poet's memories of his loved one are also reflected in the natural world around him. He hears her voice in the sound of the "water" and the "wind," which suggests that her spirit lives on in nature.

Another theme of the poem is the transience of life. The poet acknowledges that his beloved is gone and that he will never hear her voice again in the physical sense. This realization is both sad and bittersweet, as the poet takes comfort in the fact that her voice lives on in his memory and in the natural world around him. The poem also suggests that life is fleeting and that we must cherish the moments we have with our loved ones.

Structure

"The Voice" is a Shakespearean sonnet, which means that it is composed of fourteen lines with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a musical quality, and the rhyme scheme helps to create a sense of closure at the end of each quatrain.

The first quatrain sets the scene and establishes the poet's longing for his beloved's voice. The second quatrain introduces the theme of irony and reflects on the power of nature. The third quatrain is a turning point in the poem, as the poet addresses his beloved directly and expresses his longing for her. The final couplet offers a resolution of sorts, as the poet acknowledges that he will never hear her voice again in the physical sense.

Poetic Devices

Brooke uses a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of depth and meaning in "The Voice." One of the most striking devices he uses is metaphor. He describes his beloved's voice as "silver," which suggests that it is precious and valuable. He also imagines her voice as "water" and "wind," two elements that are often associated with emotions and spirituality.

Another device he uses is allusion. The poem contains references to Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale." These allusions help to enrich the poem and give it a sense of context and history.

Brooke also uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the natural world. He describes the "cold wind" blowing and the sound of the "water" and the "wind." This imagery helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood.

Finally, Brooke uses irony to great effect in "The Voice." He reflects on the fact that he can hear the voice of nature, but not the voice of his loved one. This irony adds depth and complexity to the poem and reflects the poet's conflicted emotions.

Interpretation

"The Voice" is a deeply moving and lyrical poem that captures the essence of love, loss, and memory. The poet's longing for his beloved's voice is palpable, and the use of metaphor and imagery helps to create a vivid picture of the natural world. The poem's themes of memory and transience are universal and timeless, and the use of irony adds a sense of complexity and depth to the poem.

Overall, "The Voice" is a testament to Brooke's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the human experience in all its beauty and complexity. This poem is sure to resonate with readers for generations to come, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Voice by Rupert Brooke is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. This poem is a beautiful expression of the power of poetry and the impact it can have on our lives. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in The Poetry Voice.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the voice of poetry as a "clear call" that can be heard in the "quiet of the night." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker is clearly in awe of the power of poetry. The use of the word "clear" suggests that the voice of poetry is not muddled or confusing, but rather it is easy to understand and follow.

The second stanza of the poem continues to describe the voice of poetry, stating that it is "like a silver trumpet" that can "stir the blood." This imagery is powerful, as it suggests that the voice of poetry is not only beautiful but also has the ability to inspire and motivate us. The use of the word "silver" is interesting, as it suggests that the voice of poetry is pure and untarnished.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the impact that poetry can have on our lives. The speaker states that the voice of poetry can "make us see, who were blind." This suggests that poetry has the ability to open our eyes to new ideas and perspectives that we may not have considered before. The use of the word "blind" is also interesting, as it suggests that without poetry, we may be unaware of the beauty and complexity of the world around us.

The fourth stanza of the poem continues to explore the impact of poetry, stating that it can "make us hear, who were deaf." This suggests that poetry has the ability to help us listen and understand others in a way that we may not have been able to before. The use of the word "deaf" is also interesting, as it suggests that without poetry, we may be unable to truly connect with others.

The fifth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to reflect on their own relationship with poetry. The speaker states that they have "heard the voice of poetry" and that it has "filled their soul with beauty." This suggests that the speaker has a deep appreciation for poetry and that it has had a profound impact on their life. The use of the word "soul" is also interesting, as it suggests that poetry has touched the speaker on a spiritual level.

The sixth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker reflects on the power of poetry to transcend time and space. The speaker states that the voice of poetry can "reach across the years" and that it can "speak to us, as we stand." This suggests that poetry has the ability to connect us with the past and the present, and that it can speak to us no matter where we are in the world. The use of the word "speak" is also interesting, as it suggests that poetry is not just something to be read, but something to be heard and experienced.

In terms of structure, The Poetry Voice is a six-stanza poem with a consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB. This gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow, which is fitting for a poem about the power of poetry. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the phrase "voice of poetry," also adds to the poem's sense of rhythm and reinforces the central theme.

In terms of language, The Poetry Voice is full of beautiful imagery and metaphors. The use of the metaphor of the "silver trumpet" in the second stanza is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the voice of poetry is not just beautiful, but also has the ability to inspire and motivate us. The use of the word "soul" in the fifth stanza is also powerful, as it suggests that poetry has the ability to touch us on a spiritual level.

Overall, The Poetry Voice by Rupert Brooke is a beautiful and powerful poem about the impact of poetry on our lives. The poem explores themes of inspiration, connection, and transcendence, and does so with beautiful language and imagery. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to touch us on a deep and meaningful level.

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