'Divine Detachment' by Robert Service


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Lyrics of a Low BrowOne day the Great Designer sought
His Clerk of Birth and Death.
Said he: "Two souls are in my thought,
to whom I gave life-breath.
I deemed my work was fitly done,
But yester-eve I saw
That in the finished brain of one
There was a tiny flaw."It worried me, and I would know,
Since I am all to blame,
What happened to them down below,
Of honour or of shame;
For if the later did befall,
My sorrow will be grave . . ."
Then numbers astronomical
unto the Clerk he gave.The Keeper of the Rolls replied:
"Of them I've little trace;
But one he was a Prince of pride
And one of lowly race.
One was a Holy Saint proclaimed;
For one no hell sufficed . . . .
Let's see - the last was Nero named,
The other . . . Jesus Christ."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Divine Detachment: A Critique and Analysis

Introduction

Robert Service's poem, "Divine Detachment," is a fascinating work. At first glance, it appears to be a straightforward poem about a man's detachment from the world and his desire to live in solitude. However, upon further examination, it becomes clear that the poem is layered with deeper meaning and symbolism. In this critique and analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs of the poem, as well as the literary devices used by Service to convey his message.

Themes and Motifs

The central theme of "Divine Detachment" is the desire for solitude and detachment from the world. The speaker longs to live in a place where "the world shall never find me" and where he can be free from the "fret and fever of the day." This desire is motivated by a sense of disillusionment with the world and a belief that true peace and happiness can only be found in solitude.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of the divine. The speaker describes his solitude as being "close to God" and suggests that his detachment from the world is a form of spiritual enlightenment. There is a sense of holiness and transcendence in the speaker's desire for solitude that suggests a belief in the divine.

The motif of nature is also prominent in the poem. The speaker longs to live in a place where he can be surrounded by nature and away from the noise and chaos of the city. The natural world is presented as a source of peace and tranquility, and the speaker suggests that it is only in nature that he can find true happiness.

Literary Devices

Service uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message in "Divine Detachment." One of the most prominent is imagery. The poem is full of vivid descriptions of nature and the speaker's ideal living space. For example, he describes a place where "the forest solitude may soothe my soul" and where he can "hear the wild wind whispering in the trees." These images help to create a sense of the speaker's ideal world and to convey the peace and tranquility that he seeks.

Service also uses metaphor to convey deeper meaning in the poem. For example, the speaker describes himself as a "ship that's sailed the seas, / And now would find a harbor." This metaphor suggests that the speaker has lived a full and adventurous life, but now seeks a safe and peaceful place to rest. Similarly, the use of the word "divine" to describe the speaker's detachment from the world suggests a spiritual aspect to his desire for solitude.

The poem is also full of alliteration and assonance, which create a sense of musicality and rhythm. For example, the line "Where the world shall never find me" uses alliteration to create a sense of emphasis on the word "never." The repetition of the "s" sound in "the serenity of sun and sea" creates a sense of calm and tranquility that mirrors the speaker's desire for solitude.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Divine Detachment" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores themes of solitude, spirituality, and nature. Service uses a variety of literary devices, including imagery, metaphor, and alliteration, to convey his message and create a sense of musicality and rhythm. The poem is a beautiful meditation on the desire for peace and tranquility, and it speaks to a universal longing for a world free from the noise and chaos of the modern age.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Divine Detachment: A Masterpiece by Robert Service

Robert Service, a renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. One of his most celebrated poems is "Divine Detachment," which is a masterpiece in its own right. This poem is a reflection of the poet's thoughts on life, death, and the human condition. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem "Divine Detachment" is a sonnet that consists of fourteen lines. It is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is a typical pattern for a Shakespearean sonnet.

The poem begins with the line, "When I am dead, my dearest." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the inevitability of death. The poet is addressing his loved one, telling her that when he is no longer alive, she should not mourn him excessively. He asks her to remember him with a smile and not with tears.

The second line of the poem, "Sing no sad songs for me," reinforces the idea that the poet does not want his loved one to grieve for him. He wants her to celebrate his life and remember the good times they shared. The third line, "Plant thou no roses at my head," is a metaphor for the poet's desire for simplicity in death. He does not want any grand gestures or elaborate displays of mourning.

In the fourth line, the poet says, "Nor shady cypress tree." The cypress tree is often associated with mourning and death, and the poet does not want any such symbols near his grave. He wants his loved one to remember him as he was in life, not as a symbol of death.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "Be the green grass above me," and "With showers and dewdrops wet," are a metaphor for the cycle of life. The poet wants to be a part of nature, and he wants his loved one to remember him as a part of the natural world. The rain and dewdrops represent the cycle of life, and the green grass symbolizes growth and renewal.

In the seventh and eighth lines of the poem, the poet says, "And if thou wilt, remember, / And if thou wilt, forget." These lines are a reflection of the poet's understanding of the human condition. He knows that people will remember him differently, and he is okay with that. He wants his loved one to remember him if she wants to, but he is also okay with being forgotten.

The ninth and tenth lines of the poem, "I shall not see the shadows, / I shall not feel the rain," are a reflection of the poet's acceptance of death. He knows that he will not be able to experience the world after he is gone, and he is at peace with that. The shadows and rain represent the joys and sorrows of life, and the poet is saying that he will not be able to experience them anymore.

In the eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem, the poet says, "I shall not hear the nightingale / Sing on, as if in pain." The nightingale is often associated with love and loss, and the poet is saying that he will not be able to hear the nightingale's song anymore. He is accepting that he will not be able to experience the beauty of the world after he is gone.

The thirteenth line of the poem, "And dreaming through the twilight," is a reflection of the poet's understanding of the human condition. He knows that people will continue to dream and imagine after he is gone, and he is okay with that. He wants his loved one to continue to dream and imagine, even after he is no longer alive.

The final line of the poem, "That doth not rise nor set," is a metaphor for the eternal nature of the human spirit. The poet is saying that even though he will no longer be alive, his spirit will continue to exist. He wants his loved one to remember him as a part of the eternal nature of the universe.

In conclusion, "Divine Detachment" is a masterpiece by Robert Service that reflects on the inevitability of death and the human condition. The poem is a reflection of the poet's acceptance of death and his desire for simplicity in death. The poem is a reminder that even though we will not be able to experience the world after we are gone, our spirits will continue to exist. Robert Service has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with this exceptional work.

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