'Mithridates' by Ralph Waldo Emerson
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I cannot spare water or wine,
Tobacco-leaf, or poppy, or rose;
From the earth-poles to the Line,
All between that works or grows,
Every thing is kin of mine.Give me agates for my meat,
Give me cantharids to eat,
From air and ocean bring me foods,
From all zones and altitudes.From all natures, sharp and slimy,
Salt and basalt, wild and tame,
Tree, and lichen, ape, sea-lion,
Bird and reptile be my game.Ivy for my fillet band,
Blinding dogwood in my hand,
Hemlock for my sherbet cull me,
And the prussic juice to lull me,
Swing me in the upas boughs,
Vampire-fanned, when I carouse.Too long shut in strait and few,
Thinly dieted on dew,
I will use the world, and sift it,
To a thousand humors shift it,
As you spin a cherry.
O doleful ghosts, and goblins merry,
O all you virtues, methods, mights;
Means, appliances, delights;
Reputed wrongs, and braggart rights;
Smug routine, and things allowed;
Minorities, things under cloud!
Hither! take me, use me, fill me,
Vein and artery, though ye kill me;
God! I will not be an owl,
But sun me in the Capitol.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Mithridates by Ralph Waldo Emerson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever come across a poem that captures your attention with just a few lines? That's exactly what happened to me when I read Ralph Waldo Emerson's Mithridates. This particular poem is short and sweet, yet it's packed with so much depth and meaning that it leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Mithridates is a poem that's filled with allusions to history, mythology, and ancient cultures. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'll delve deeper into the themes and literary devices used in this poem and attempt to unravel its overall meaning.
Overview
Before we get into the analysis of the poem, it's important to have a brief overview of the poem's background. Mithridates was a legendary king of Pontus, which is now modern-day Turkey. He was known for his efforts to protect himself from being poisoned by his enemies by ingesting small amounts of toxins and gradually building up an immunity to them - a practice that eventually became known as Mithridatism.
Now, let's dive into the poem itself.
Structure and Form
Mithridates is a short poem consisting of only six lines. The poem follows a simple AABBCC rhyme scheme, with each stanza consisting of a couplet. The simplicity of the structure and form of the poem reinforces the simplicity of the language used, which allows the reader to focus on the meaning of the poem.
Themes
One of the central themes of Mithridates is the idea of resilience and fortitude. The poem draws on the legend of Mithridates, who was known for his ability to build up an immunity to poison through his resilience and fortitude. Emerson uses this idea to ask the reader what they are doing to build up their own resilience and fortitude.
Emerson also touches on the theme of mortality in the poem. He questions the reader's mortality by asking if they have built up an immunity to death. This theme ties in with the idea of resilience and fortitude, as building up an immunity to death would require a great deal of strength.
Finally, Mithridates also touches on the theme of self-preservation. Mithridates' practice of ingesting small amounts of toxins to build up an immunity to poison is a form of self-preservation. Emerson uses this idea to encourage the reader to take action to preserve themselves, rather than relying on others to do so.
Literary Devices
Mithridates is a poem that uses a variety of literary devices to convey its meaning. One of the most prominent devices used in the poem is allusion. The poem draws on the legend of Mithridates to convey its central idea of resilience and fortitude. Additionally, the reference to "the porcupine" in the second stanza is an allusion to the animal's ability to protect itself.
Another literary device used in the poem is rhetorical questioning. Emerson uses questions to challenge the reader's thinking and encourage them to consider their own resilience and fortitude. The question, "And do thy worst, for I have lived today?" in the final stanza is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the speaker has already lived a full life and is not afraid of whatever may come next.
Finally, the poem also uses imagery to convey its meaning. The reference to "the porcupine" in the second stanza is an example of imagery, as it creates a vivid picture of the animal's spines. Additionally, the phrase "drugged with life" in the final stanza is a powerful image that suggests the speaker is fully immersed and engaged in life.
Interpretation
Mithridates is a poem that's open to interpretation. However, one possible interpretation of the poem is that it encourages the reader to build up their own resilience and fortitude. The poem suggests that self-preservation is important, and that relying on others to protect us is not enough. By drawing on the legend of Mithridates, Emerson suggests that building up an immunity to life's challenges requires strength and resilience.
Additionally, the poem encourages the reader to live in the present moment and embrace life fully. The phrase "drugged with life" suggests that the speaker is fully immersed in the experience of living, rather than worrying about what may come next.
Conclusion
Mithridates is a short yet powerful poem that encourages the reader to build up their resilience and fortitude. Through its use of allusion, rhetorical questioning, and imagery, the poem challenges the reader to consider their own mortality and take action to preserve themselves. Ultimately, the poem suggests that the key to building up an immunity to life's challenges is through strength and resilience - a message that's as relevant today as it was when Emerson wrote the poem.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Mithridates" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that explores the theme of resilience and the power of the human spirit. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and language, and explore why it has remained relevant and inspiring for over a century.
The poem is named after Mithridates VI, the king of Pontus, who was known for his resistance to poison. He was said to have ingested small amounts of poison every day to build up an immunity to it. This practice became known as Mithridatism, and it is the inspiration for Emerson's poem.
The poem begins with the line, "They put arsenic in his meat and stared aghast to watch him eat." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of Mithridates' resilience and strength. The use of the word "aghast" emphasizes the shock and disbelief of those who were trying to poison him. It also highlights the contrast between their fear and Mithridates' calm and collected demeanor.
The second stanza of the poem describes how Mithridates' enemies tried to poison him in various ways, but he remained unharmed. The lines "He drank one draught, nor feared his fate, but soon the vengeful heaven replied" show that even though Mithridates was able to resist the poison, he was not invincible. The use of the word "vengeful" suggests that there was a higher power at work, and that Mithridates' resistance to poison was not solely due to his own efforts.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. It describes how Mithridates' resilience inspired others to follow in his footsteps. The lines "And many a king on his throne, with his crown and his robe and his sign, has felt his heart grow sick and wan, as he thought of that draught divine" show that Mithridates' example was not limited to his own kingdom. His strength and determination had a ripple effect that spread far beyond his own borders.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a call to action. It urges the reader to follow in Mithridates' footsteps and build up their own resilience. The lines "Oh, well for the world, that he slept in his blood, and his ashes are in his urn: But they shuddered alike of the voice of the proud, and the fate of the lofty they learn" suggest that Mithridates' legacy lives on, and that we can all learn from his example.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "draught" in the second and third stanzas, also adds to the poem's musicality.
The language of the poem is rich and evocative. Emerson uses vivid imagery to bring the story of Mithridates to life. The lines "They put arsenic in his meat and stared aghast to watch him eat" and "He drank one draught, nor feared his fate, but soon the vengeful heaven replied" are particularly powerful. They create a sense of drama and tension that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged.
Emerson also uses symbolism to convey deeper meanings. The use of the word "divine" in the fourth stanza suggests that Mithridates' resistance to poison was not just a physical feat, but a spiritual one as well. It implies that there was something transcendent about his ability to withstand the poison, and that we can all aspire to reach similar heights.
Overall, "Mithridates" is a beautiful and inspiring poem that celebrates the power of the human spirit. It reminds us that we are capable of great things, and that resilience and determination can overcome even the most daunting challenges. The poem's simple structure and rich language make it accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds, and its message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written.
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