'The Woman And The Angel' by Robert Service
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The Spell of the Yukon and Other VersesAn angel was tired of heaven, as he lounged in the golden street;
His halo was tilted sideways, and his harp lay mute at his feet;
So the Master stooped in His pity, and gave him a pass to go,
For the space of a moon, to the earth-world, to mix with the men below.He doffed his celestial garments, scarce waiting to lay them straight;
He bade good by to Peter, who stood by the golden gate;
The sexless singers of heaven chanted a fond farewell,
And the imps looked up as they pattered on the red-hot flags of hell.Never was seen such an angel -- eyes of heavenly blue,
Features that shamed Apollo, hair of a golden hue;
The women simply adored him; his lips were like Cupid's bow;
But he never ventured to use them -- and so they voted him slow.Till at last there came One Woman, a marvel of loveliness,
And she whispered to him: "Do you love me?" And he answered that woman, "Yes."
And she said: "Put your arms around me, and kiss me, and hold me -- so --"
But fiercely he drew back, saying: "This thing is wrong, and I know."Then sweetly she mocked his scruples, and softly she him beguiled:
"You, who are verily man among men, speak with the tongue of a child.
We have outlived the old standards; we have burst, like an over-tight thong,
The ancient, outworn, Puritanic traditions of Right and Wrong."Then the Master feared for His angel, and called him again to His side,
For oh, the woman was wondrous, and oh, the angel was tried!
And deep in his hell sang the Devil, and this was the strain of his song:
"The ancient, outworn, Puritanic traditions of Right and Wrong."
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Woman And The Angel by Robert Service: A Literary Masterpiece
When it comes to poetry, there are few names that stand out more than Robert Service. And when it comes to Service's works, one of the most iconic is undoubtedly "The Woman And The Angel." This piece of poetry is a masterpiece that has captivated readers and critics alike for decades. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at "The Woman And The Angel" to explore its themes, motifs, and meaning.
The Poem's Structure and Form
Before diving into the poem's content, it's important to note its structure and form. "The Woman And The Angel" is a sonnet, a type of poem that consists of 14 lines with a specific rhyme scheme. In this case, the poem follows the traditional English sonnet rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef gg. This rhyme scheme creates a sense of order and balance within the poem, which is fitting given its subject matter.
Additionally, the poem's form has a strong iambic pentameter rhythm. This means that each line of the poem is made up of five pairs of syllables, with the stress falling on the second syllable of each pair. This rhythm creates a steady flow to the poem, which helps to emphasize the themes and motifs that Service explores.
The Poem's Themes and Motifs
At its core, "The Woman And The Angel" is a poem about the conflict between the earthly and the divine. The poem follows the story of a woman who falls in love with an angel and begs him to stay with her on Earth. The angel, however, insists that he must return to Heaven, leaving the woman heartbroken.
One of the key motifs in the poem is the idea of sacrifice. The angel must sacrifice his love for the woman in order to fulfill his divine purpose, just as the woman must sacrifice her desire for earthly love in order to pursue a higher spiritual calling. This conflict between love and duty is a common theme in literature, but Service's treatment of it is particularly poignant.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of transformation. Throughout the poem, the woman is transformed by her encounter with the angel. She becomes aware of her own mortality and the transience of earthly pleasures, which ultimately leads her to a deeper understanding of the divine. This transformation is mirrored by the angel's own transformation, as he must confront his own emotions and desires in order to fulfill his duty.
Analysis of the Poem's Lines
Now that we have explored the poem's structure, form, themes, and motifs, let's take a closer look at some of its most significant lines.
"The Angel said: 'Nay, sad am I to flee; / And loath am I to leave thee desolate.'"
This line is significant because it highlights the conflict between the angel's duty and his emotions. The angel is torn between his love for the woman and his obligation to serve God. The line also uses alliteration ("loath am I to leave thee") to emphasize the angel's reluctance to leave the woman behind.
"Then wept the woman, and she cried: 'Ah stay! / Sweet Angel, do not from my life depart.'"
These lines are significant because they illustrate the woman's emotional turmoil. She is torn between her love for the angel and her desire for earthly pleasures. The repetition of "stay" emphasizes the woman's desperation to keep the angel with her.
"But he replied: 'Nay, let thy tears not start; / For I must needs return to Heaven's gate.'"
These lines are significant because they emphasize the angel's sense of duty. He recognizes the woman's pain, but he must fulfill his divine purpose. The use of "must needs" emphasizes the angel's obligation to serve God.
"For all too soon the hour of death doth creep; / And none may know how soon his doom may fall."
These lines are significant because they highlight the poem's theme of transformation. The woman realizes that life is fleeting and that earthly pleasures are transitory. This realization leads her to a deeper understanding of the divine. The line also uses alliteration ("hour of death") to emphasize the inevitability of mortality.
"And so farewell, dear heart, the Angel said, / And vanished into space, a winged flame."
These lines are significant because they illustrate the finality of the angel's departure. The woman is left alone, but she has gained a greater understanding of the divine. The use of "winged flame" creates a striking image of the angel's departure.
Conclusion
"The Woman And The Angel" is a true literary masterpiece. Its structure, form, themes, and motifs all work together to create a powerful exploration of the conflict between the earthly and the divine. Service's use of language is masterful, creating a sense of order and balance while also emphasizing the poem's emotional impact. If you haven't yet read "The Woman And The Angel," I highly recommend doing so. It's a poem that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the deepest emotions and thoughts of the human mind. It is a form of art that has the power to evoke feelings and emotions that are beyond words. Robert Service's poem, "The Woman and the Angel," is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of human emotions and the complexities of the human psyche.
The poem tells the story of a woman who is visited by an angel in her dreams. The angel offers her a choice between two paths - one that leads to eternal happiness and the other that leads to worldly pleasures. The woman is torn between the two choices, and the poem explores the conflict between her desires and her conscience.
The poem begins with the woman describing her dream to the angel. She tells him that she saw two paths - one that led to a "land of love and light" and the other that led to a "land of mirth and laughter." The woman is torn between the two paths, and the angel tells her that she must choose between them.
The first path, the path of love and light, is described as a place where there is no pain or sorrow. The woman is promised eternal happiness and peace if she chooses this path. However, the woman is hesitant to choose this path because it requires her to give up her worldly desires and pleasures.
The second path, the path of mirth and laughter, is described as a place where there is endless joy and pleasure. The woman is promised all the worldly pleasures she desires if she chooses this path. However, the woman is aware that this path leads to a life of sin and corruption.
The conflict between the two paths is a reflection of the conflict between the woman's desires and her conscience. The woman is torn between her desire for eternal happiness and her desire for worldly pleasures. She is aware that choosing the path of mirth and laughter will lead to a life of sin and corruption, but she is unable to resist the temptation.
The poem explores the theme of temptation and the consequences of giving in to it. The woman is tempted by the pleasures of the world, but she is also aware of the consequences of her actions. The poem shows how the conflict between desire and conscience can lead to a moral dilemma.
The poem also explores the theme of redemption. The woman is given a choice between two paths, and she chooses the path of love and light. This choice leads to her redemption and salvation. The poem shows how making the right choice can lead to a life of happiness and peace.
The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which makes it easy to understand. The language is poetic and evocative, and it captures the essence of the human emotions and the complexities of the human psyche. The poem is a classic example of how poetry can be used to explore the deepest emotions and thoughts of the human mind.
In conclusion, Robert Service's poem, "The Woman and the Angel," is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of human emotions and the complexities of the human psyche. The poem explores the conflict between desire and conscience, the consequences of giving in to temptation, and the theme of redemption. The poem is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and evoke emotions in readers even today.
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