'Lines Written In The Belief That The Ancient Roman Festival Of The Dead Was Called Ambarvalia' by Rupert Brooke


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Swings the way still by hollow and hill,
And all the world's a song;
"She's far," it sings me, "but fair," it rings me,
"Quiet," it laughs, "and strong!"

Oh! spite of the miles and years between us,
Spite of your chosen part,
I do remember; and I go
With laughter in my heart.

So above the little folk that know not,
Out of the white hill-town,
High up I clamber; and I remember;
And watch the day go down.

Gold is my heart, and the world's golden,
And one peak tipped with light;
And the air lies still about the hill
With the first fear of night;

Till mystery down the soundless valley
Thunders, and dark is here;
And the wind blows, and the light goes,
And the night is full of fear,

And I know, one night, on some far height,
In the tongue I never knew,
I yet shall hear the tidings clear
From them that were friends of you.

They'll call the news from hill to hill,
Dark and uncomforted,
Earth and sky and the winds; and I
Shall know that you are dead.

I shall not hear your trentals,
Nor eat your arval bread;
For the kin of you will surely do
Their duty by the dead.

Their little dull greasy eyes will water;
They'll paw you, and gulp afresh.
They'll sniffle and weep, and their thoughts will creep
Like flies on the cold flesh.

They will put pence on your grey eyes,
Bind up your fallen chin,
And lay you straight, the fools that loved you
Because they were your kin.

They will praise all the bad about you,
And hush the good away,
And wonder how they'll do without you,
And then they'll go away.

But quieter than one sleeping,
And stranger than of old,
You will not stir for weeping,
You will not mind the cold;

But through the night the lips will laugh not,
The hands will be in place,
And at length the hair be lying still
About the quiet face.

With snuffle and sniff and handkerchief,
And dim and decorous mirth,
With ham and sherry, they'll meet to bury
The lordliest lass of earth.

The little dead hearts will tramp ungrieving
Behind lone-riding you,
The heart so high, the heart so living,
Heart that they never knew.

I shall not hear your trentals,
Nor eat your arval bread,
Nor with smug breath tell lies of death
To the unanswering dead.

With snuffle and sniff and handkerchief,
The folk who loved you not
Will bury you, and go wondering
Back home.And you will rot.

But laughing and half-way up to heaven,
With wind and hill and star,
I yet shall keep, before I sleep,
Your Ambarvalia.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Lines Written In The Belief That The Ancient Roman Festival Of The Dead Was Called Ambarvalia: A Masterpiece by Rupert Brooke

When it comes to Rupert Brooke, one cannot help but marvel at his poetic genius. His work always has a way of making one stop, think, and feel, all at once. But when it comes to his poem, "Lines Written In The Belief That The Ancient Roman Festival Of The Dead Was Called Ambarvalia," one can't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. This poem is a true masterpiece, an ode to life, death, and everything in between.

The Historical Context of the Poem

Before we delve into the poem itself, it is essential to understand the historical context behind it. The poem was written during World War I, a time of great turmoil and pain for many. Brooke, like many other poets of his time, was deeply affected by the war and the loss of life it brought. However, this poem is not just about war and death. It is about life and the celebration of it, even in the face of death.

The poem's title, "Lines Written In The Belief That The Ancient Roman Festival Of The Dead Was Called Ambarvalia," is a mouthful, but it is essential to understanding the poem's meaning. Ambarvalia was an ancient Roman festival held in honor of the agricultural deity Ceres. It was a time of celebration and offering to the gods for the harvest, but it was also a time to remember the dead. The festival was held in May, a time when new life was sprouting from the ground, and death was a distant memory. The poem takes this festival and turns it into a celebration of life, even in the face of death.

The Poem Itself

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza is about life, the second about death, and the third ties everything together. The first stanza begins with a description of life, "Today, across the fields of yesterday," which sets the scene for the rest of the poem. Brooke uses beautiful imagery to describe life, "Golden with buttercups, in thin green grass / The young lie down to sleep." He describes how life is fleeting, "But when the dead are holy, what of death?" and how we should cherish it while we can.

The second stanza is a stark contrast to the first. Brooke describes death as "The land of loneliness," a desolate and barren place where nothing grows. He talks about how death is final, "Nothing is there to keep the heart alive / To save the soul from silence." But even in the face of death, Brooke does not despair. He sees it as a necessary part of life, "Death is the mother of beauty," and a way to appreciate life even more.

The third stanza ties everything together. Brooke talks about how life and death are intertwined, "Life's self is a forgotten looking-glass / Whose faith is now its substance." He says that we should not fear death, but instead embrace it, "Fear not the end of life, but wait it well." He finishes the poem with a call to action, "Honor and hope have humbled us again."

Interpretation

The poem is a celebration of life, death, and everything in between. Brooke uses beautiful imagery and language to describe the fleeting nature of life and the finality of death. He sees death as a necessary part of life, and something that we should not fear but instead embrace. The poem is a call to action, reminding us to appreciate the beauty of life and honor the dead.

One interpretation of the poem is that Brooke is using the festival of Ambarvalia as a metaphor for life. The festival was a time of celebration and offering, much like life itself. However, it was also a time to remember the dead, reminding us that life is fleeting and that death is a necessary part of it. Brooke's use of the festival as a metaphor shows us that life and death are two sides of the same coin, and that we should appreciate both.

Another interpretation of the poem is that Brooke is using death as a way to appreciate life even more. By reminding us of the finality of death, Brooke is showing us that we should not take life for granted. Every moment is precious, and we should cherish it while we can. Brooke's use of death as a way to appreciate life shows us that even in the face of death, there is still beauty to be found.

Conclusion

"Lines Written In The Belief That The Ancient Roman Festival Of The Dead Was Called Ambarvalia" is a true masterpiece of poetry. Brooke's use of language and imagery to describe life, death, and everything in between is nothing short of stunning. The poem is a celebration of life, reminding us to appreciate every moment and honor the dead. It is a call to action, reminding us that life is fleeting and that we should cherish it while we can. Brooke's poem is a testament to his poetic genius and his ability to capture the human experience in words.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Lines Written In The Belief That The Ancient Roman Festival Of The Dead Was Called Ambarvalia: A Classic Poem by Rupert Brooke

Rupert Brooke, one of the most celebrated poets of the early 20th century, wrote a poem titled "Lines Written In The Belief That The Ancient Roman Festival Of The Dead Was Called Ambarvalia." This poem is a classic example of Brooke's unique style of poetry, which is characterized by its romanticism, idealism, and patriotism. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing his belief that the ancient Roman festival of the dead was called Ambarvalia. This festival was celebrated in honor of the goddess Ceres, who was the goddess of agriculture, grain crops, and fertility. The festival was held in May, and it involved a procession around the fields, during which the participants would offer sacrifices to the gods and goddesses in order to ensure a good harvest.

The speaker then goes on to describe the festival in vivid detail, painting a picture of a joyous and festive occasion. He describes the "dancing feet" of the participants, the "laughter" that fills the air, and the "singing" that echoes through the fields. He also mentions the "garlands" and "wreaths" that adorn the participants, as well as the "incense" and "sacrifice" that are offered to the gods.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's tone becomes more introspective and contemplative. He begins to reflect on the nature of life and death, and on the role that the festival of Ambarvalia played in the lives of the ancient Romans. He wonders whether the festival was a celebration of life or a commemoration of death, and whether the participants were celebrating the harvest or mourning the passing of another year.

The speaker's musings on the festival of Ambarvalia lead him to a deeper reflection on the nature of human existence. He ponders the fleeting nature of life, and the inevitability of death. He wonders whether life is a "dream" or a "reality," and whether death is a "sleep" or a "waking." He also considers the possibility that death may be a "release" from the "prison" of life, and that it may lead to a higher state of being.

Throughout the poem, Brooke employs a number of literary devices to convey his themes and ideas. One of the most prominent of these devices is imagery. Brooke uses vivid and evocative imagery to paint a picture of the festival of Ambarvalia, as well as to convey the speaker's reflections on life and death. For example, he describes the "dancing feet" of the participants, the "garlands" and "wreaths" that adorn them, and the "incense" and "sacrifice" that are offered to the gods. He also uses imagery to describe the fleeting nature of life, such as when he refers to life as a "dream" or a "bubble."

Another literary device that Brooke employs in this poem is metaphor. He uses metaphor to compare life to a "dream," death to a "sleep," and the afterlife to a "higher state of being." These metaphors help to convey the speaker's sense of wonder and awe at the mysteries of life and death.

Brooke also uses repetition to great effect in this poem. He repeats the phrase "Ambarvalia, Ambarvalia" throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of the festival to the ancient Romans. He also repeats the phrase "life and death" several times, underscoring the central theme of the poem.

In terms of structure, the poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which contains six lines. The first stanza describes the festival of Ambarvalia, the second stanza reflects on the nature of life and death, and the third stanza concludes with a sense of wonder and awe at the mysteries of existence. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and improvisation, reflecting the speaker's sense of wonder and awe at the mysteries of life and death.

In conclusion, "Lines Written In The Belief That The Ancient Roman Festival Of The Dead Was Called Ambarvalia" is a classic poem by Rupert Brooke that explores the themes of life, death, and the mysteries of existence. Through vivid imagery, metaphor, and repetition, Brooke conveys his sense of wonder and awe at the festival of Ambarvalia, as well as his reflections on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. This poem is a testament to Brooke's unique style of poetry, which is characterized by its romanticism, idealism, and patriotism.

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