'The Philosopher' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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And what are you that, wanting you,
I should be kept awake
As many nights as there are days
With weeping for your sake?And what are you that, missing you,
As many days as crawl
I should be listening to the wind
And looking at the wall?I know a man that's a braver man
And twenty men as kind,
And what are you, that you should be
The one man in my mind?Yet women's ways are witless ways,
As any sage will tell,-
And what am I, that I should love
So wisely and so well?
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Philosopher: A Deep Dive into Edna St. Vincent Millay's Poetry
As a renowned poet of the 20th century, Edna St. Vincent Millay has written numerous works that have captured the hearts and minds of readers around the world. One of her most notable works is "The Philosopher," a poem that delves into the complexities of human nature and emotions. In this essay, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its meaning, structure, and literary devices.
Overview of "The Philosopher"
"The Philosopher" is a sonnet that comprises of 14 lines and is written in iambic pentameter. The poem was first published in Millay's 1923 collection "A Few Figs from Thistles" and has since become one of her most celebrated works. The poem is written from the perspective of a philosopher who contemplates the nature of life and love, and how they are intertwined.
Analysis of "The Philosopher"
Structure
As mentioned earlier, "The Philosopher" is a sonnet that consists of 14 lines. The poem follows the rhyme scheme ABBA ABBA CDCDCD, which is typical of an Italian sonnet. The poem is divided into two sections – the octave (first eight lines) and the sestet (last six lines). The octave presents the problem or situation, while the sestet provides a resolution or conclusion.
Literary Devices
Millay employs various literary devices in "The Philosopher" to convey her message effectively. One of the most prominent devices she uses is imagery. The opening lines of the poem, "I think I should have loved you presently," are a prime example of this. The phrase "presently" suggests immediacy or urgency, while "loved you" invokes images of passion and romance.
The poet also uses metaphor to great effect, comparing love to a "great tree" that takes root and grows as time passes. This metaphor is extended throughout the poem, with the tree representing the depth and complexity of human emotions.
Another literary device used in "The Philosopher" is irony. The speaker of the poem is a philosopher, yet he admits that he does not understand the nature of love. This irony adds depth and complexity to the poem, as it highlights the limitations of human wisdom and intellect.
Theme
The central theme of "The Philosopher" is the nature of love and the complexities of human emotions. The poem explores the idea that love is not a simple emotion that can be easily understood or controlled. Instead, it is a complex and mysterious force that takes root and grows over time. The poem also touches on the idea that human wisdom and intellect are limited in their ability to understand the nature of love.
Interpretation
"The Philosopher" is a deeply philosophical poem that raises many questions about the nature of love and human emotions. One interpretation of the poem is that it highlights the limitations of human understanding when it comes to matters of the heart. The speaker of the poem is a philosopher who admits that he does not understand the nature of love. This suggests that even the most intelligent and wise among us are not immune to the mysteries and complexities of human emotions.
Another interpretation of "The Philosopher" is that it celebrates the beauty and complexity of love. The extended metaphor of the tree suggests that love is a force that takes root and grows over time. This suggests that love is not just an emotion, but a process that unfolds over time. The imagery of the tree also suggests that love is a thing of great beauty and wonder, much like a majestic tree.
Overall, "The Philosopher" is a complex and beautifully crafted poem that delves into the mysteries of human emotions. Through its use of imagery, metaphor, and irony, the poem explores the nature of love and the limitations of human understanding. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience and express it in a way that resonates with readers across time and place.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions, ideas, and philosophies. Edna St. Vincent Millay's "The Philosopher" is a classic example of how poetry can be used to convey complex ideas in a simple yet profound manner. This poem is a masterpiece that explores the nature of existence, the meaning of life, and the role of the individual in the universe. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with a simple yet powerful statement, "I am a philosopher." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the speaker's identity and purpose. The speaker is not just any philosopher, but a poet-philosopher, someone who uses poetry as a means of exploring the mysteries of life. The use of the first-person pronoun "I" also establishes a personal connection between the speaker and the reader, making the poem more relatable and engaging.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's philosophy of life. The speaker believes that life is a "great adventure," full of "wonder and surprise." This view of life is optimistic and hopeful, suggesting that the speaker sees the world as a place of endless possibilities. The use of the word "adventure" also implies that life is not just a passive experience but an active one, where the individual has agency and can shape their own destiny.
The speaker then goes on to describe the universe as a "mighty book," full of "strange and wondrous lore." This metaphorical description of the universe suggests that it is a vast repository of knowledge and wisdom, waiting to be explored and understood. The use of the word "lore" also implies that this knowledge is not just factual but also mythical and mystical, suggesting that the universe is not just a physical entity but also a spiritual one.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's relationship with the universe. The speaker says that they are "a part of all that I have met," suggesting that they see themselves as an integral part of the universe. This view of the self as interconnected with the universe is a common theme in Eastern philosophy, where the individual is seen as a microcosm of the universe. The use of the word "met" also implies that the speaker has had direct experiences with the universe, suggesting that they have explored the world and gained knowledge from it.
The speaker then goes on to describe the role of the individual in the universe. The speaker says that they are "a drop of water in the sea," suggesting that they see themselves as a small but essential part of the universe. This view of the self as a drop of water in the sea is a metaphor for the interconnectedness of all things, suggesting that every individual is connected to every other individual and to the universe as a whole. The use of the word "sea" also implies that the universe is vast and infinite, suggesting that the individual's role in the universe is both significant and insignificant at the same time.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's view of death. The speaker says that they are "not afraid to die," suggesting that they see death as a natural and inevitable part of life. This view of death is stoic and accepting, suggesting that the speaker has come to terms with their mortality. The use of the word "afraid" also implies that the speaker sees fear as a hindrance to living life to the fullest, suggesting that they have overcome their fears and embraced life with open arms.
The final lines of the poem describe the speaker's legacy. The speaker says that they will "leave behind me footprints in the sand," suggesting that they see their life as a journey that leaves a mark on the world. This view of life as a journey is a common theme in literature, where the individual's life is seen as a story that has a beginning, middle, and end. The use of the word "footprints" also implies that the speaker's legacy is not just a physical one but also a spiritual one, suggesting that their ideas and philosophies will live on long after they are gone.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This lack of structure gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and freedom, suggesting that the speaker's philosophy of life is not constrained by rules or conventions. The poem is also divided into six stanzas, each with a different theme or idea. This division gives the poem a sense of progression and development, suggesting that the speaker's philosophy of life is not static but evolving.
In terms of language, the poem is written in simple yet powerful language, with no unnecessary words or phrases. The use of metaphors and imagery also adds depth and richness to the poem, making it more engaging and memorable. The use of the first-person pronoun "I" also gives the poem a personal and intimate tone, making it more relatable and accessible.
In conclusion, Edna St. Vincent Millay's "The Philosopher" is a classic poem that explores the nature of existence, the meaning of life, and the role of the individual in the universe. The poem is a masterpiece of simplicity and profundity, using simple language and metaphors to convey complex ideas. The poem's structure and language also add depth and richness to the poem, making it a timeless work of art. Overall, "The Philosopher" is a poem that inspires and enlightens, reminding us of the beauty and wonder of life.
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