'Voice , The' by Matthew Arnold


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay



As the kindling glances,
Queen-like and clear,
Which the bright moon lances
From her tranquil sphere
At the sleepless waters
Of a lonely mere,
On the wild whirling waves, mournfully, mournfully,
Shiver and die.

As the tears of sorrow
Mothers have shed -
Prayers that tomorrow
Shall in vain be sped
When the flower they flow for
Lies frozen and dead -
Fall on the throbbing brow, fall on the burning breast,
Bringing no rest.

Like bright waves that fall
With a lifelike motion
On the lifeless margin of the sparkling Ocean;
A wild rose climbing up a mouldering wall -
A gush of sunbeams through a ruined hall -
Strains of glad music at a funeral -
So sad, and with so wild a start
To this deep-sobered heart,
So anxiously and painfully,
So drearily and doubtfully,
And oh, with such intolerable change
Of thought, such contrast strange,
O unforgotten voice, thy accents come,
Like wanderers from the world's extremity,
Unto their ancient home!

In vain, all, all in vain,
They beat upon mine ear again,
Those melancholy tones so sweet and still.
Those lute-like tones which in the bygone year
Did steal into mine ear -
Blew such a thrilling summons to my will,
Yet could not shake it;
Made my tost heart its very life-blood spill,
Yet could not break it.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Poetry, Voice, The" by Matthew Arnold: A Critical Analysis

Introduction

Poetry has always been a subject of fascination for scholars and critics alike. The art of writing poetry is not only confined to the use of language, but also to the poet's ability to convey emotions and express ideas. Matthew Arnold's "Poetry, Voice, The" is a remarkable piece of work that delves into the intricacies of poetic expression. It is a literary criticism that examines the role of poetry in society, the importance of the poet's voice and the significance of poetic language. In this essay, we will explore Arnold's views on poetry and analyze the various elements that make this piece a classic in literary criticism.

Background

Matthew Arnold was a nineteenth-century English poet and critic who played a significant role in shaping the literary landscape of his time. Arnold belonged to a family of literary giants, with his father being the renowned historian, Thomas Arnold. He was a graduate of Oxford University and worked as an inspector of schools. Arnold was an advocate of the power of literature to shape society, and his works reflect his belief in the role of poetry and criticism in shaping the culture of his time.

Theme

The central theme of "Poetry, Voice, The" is the importance of the poet's voice in conveying the emotions and ideas of the poet. Arnold argues that poetry is not just about beautiful language, but also about the poet's ability to create a voice that speaks to the reader's emotions. He believes that the poet's voice is what makes poetry a powerful tool for shaping society. The voice of the poet, according to Arnold, is an essential element that gives poetry its power to move people and create social change.

Structure

The structure of "Poetry, Voice, The" is divided into two parts. In the first part, Arnold discusses the importance of poetry in society and the role of the poet's voice in conveying emotions. He argues that poetry is not just about beautiful language, but also about the poet's ability to create a voice that speaks to the reader's emotions. Arnold also talks about the importance of poetry in shaping culture and society.

In the second part, Arnold discusses the significance of poetic language. He believes that the language used in poetry is not just a tool for conveying meaning, but also a reflection of the poet's emotions. Arnold argues that poetic language is a means of expressing the poet's feelings in a way that is both beautiful and powerful. He believes that the use of language in poetry is what gives it its power to move people and create social change.

Literary Devices

Arnold employs various literary devices in "Poetry, Voice, The" to convey his message effectively. He uses metaphors, similes, and personifications to express his ideas in a way that is both poetic and profound. For example, he compares the poet's voice to a "wind sweeping over the strings of a harp" to convey the idea that the poet's voice has the power to stir the emotions of the reader. He also personifies poetry as a "living voice" to highlight its significance in society.

Arnold also uses allusions to draw on the works of other poets and writers to support his arguments. For instance, he refers to Shakespeare's plays to show how poetry has the power to shape culture and society. Arnold's use of literary devices adds depth and nuance to his arguments and makes his work a pleasure to read.

Conclusion

"Poetry, Voice, The" is a classic piece of literary criticism that continues to inspire scholars and poets alike. Matthew Arnold's views on poetry and its role in society are as relevant today as they were in his time. His emphasis on the importance of the poet's voice and the significance of poetic language makes this piece a must-read for anyone interested in the art of poetry. Arnold's work is a testament to the power of literature to shape culture and society, and his legacy lives on in the works of poets and writers who continue to be inspired by his ideas.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Matthew Arnold's "The Poetry Voice" is a classic poem that explores the power of poetry and the role of the poet in society. The poem is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that captures the essence of poetry and its ability to inspire, uplift, and transform the human spirit.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the voice of poetry as a "clear and sweet" sound that can be heard "in the stillness of the night." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of beauty, wonder, and awe.

Arnold goes on to describe the power of poetry to transport us to other worlds and to help us see the world in a new light. He writes, "It comes from the heights above, / It comes from the depths beneath; / It touches the heart with a thrill of love, / And the soul with a sense of death."

This passage is particularly powerful because it captures the dual nature of poetry. On the one hand, poetry can be uplifting and inspiring, filling us with a sense of love and wonder. On the other hand, it can also be dark and unsettling, reminding us of our mortality and the fragility of life.

Arnold also explores the role of the poet in society, suggesting that the poet has a responsibility to use his or her voice to speak truth to power and to challenge the status quo. He writes, "The poet's voice is not dead, / Nor does it sleep in a dreamy bed; / It lives in the heart of man."

This passage is a powerful reminder that poetry has the power to change the world. The poet has a responsibility to use his or her voice to speak out against injustice and to inspire others to do the same.

Throughout the poem, Arnold uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to capture the essence of poetry. He writes, "It is the voice of the waters, / It is the voice of the woods; / The voice of the birds in the bowers / The voice of the winds in the floods."

These images are both beautiful and haunting, capturing the power of nature and the way in which poetry can help us connect with the natural world.

In the final stanza of the poem, Arnold returns to the idea of the poet's responsibility to use his or her voice to speak truth to power. He writes, "Let us be true to one another! / For the world, which seems / To lie before us like a land of dreams, / So various, so beautiful, so new, / Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light, / Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain; / And we are here as on a darkling plain / Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight, / Where ignorant armies clash by night."

This passage is a powerful reminder that the world is a complex and often confusing place, and that poetry has the power to help us make sense of it all. The poet has a responsibility to use his or her voice to help us navigate the challenges of life and to inspire us to be our best selves.

In conclusion, Matthew Arnold's "The Poetry Voice" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of poetry and its ability to inspire, uplift, and transform the human spirit. The poem is a powerful reminder that poetry has the power to change the world, and that the poet has a responsibility to use his or her voice to speak truth to power and to inspire others to do the same.

Editor Recommended Sites

Datalog: Learn Datalog programming for graph reasoning and incremental logic processing.
Ontology Video: Ontology and taxonomy management. Skos tutorials and best practice for enterprise taxonomy clouds
Speed Math: Practice rapid math training for fast mental arithmetic. Speed mathematics training software
Code Commit - Cloud commit tools & IAC operations: Best practice around cloud code commit git ops
Cloud Templates - AWS / GCP terraform and CDK templates, stacks: Learn about Cloud Templates for best practice deployment using terraform cloud and cdk providers

Recommended Similar Analysis

Elegy IV: The Perfume by John Donne analysis
THE DEFINITION OF BEAUTY by Robert Herrick analysis
A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning by John Donne analysis
To A Mouse by Robert Burns analysis
Aunt Jennifer's Tigers by Adrienne Rich analysis
The Garden by Ezra Pound analysis
I cannot dance upon my Toes by Emily Dickinson analysis
A March In The Ranks, Hard-prest by Walt Whitman analysis
Sleepless by Sarah Teasdale analysis
The Survival by Rudyard Kipling analysis