'The Silent Shepherds' by Robinson Jeffers
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The Beginning and the End & Other Poems1963What's the best life for a man?
--Never to have been born, sings the choros, and the next best
Is to die young. I saw the Sybil at Cumae
Hung in her cage over the public street--
What do you want, Sybil? I want to die.
Apothanein Thelo. Apothanein Thelo. Apothanein Thelo.
You have got your wish. But I meant life, not death.
What's the best life for a man? To ride in the wind. To ridehorses and herd cattle
In solitary places above the ocean on the beautiful mountain,and come home hungry in the evening
And eat and sleep. He will live in the wild wind and quick rain,he will not ruin his eyes with reading,
Nor think too much.However, we must have philosophers.
I will have shepherds for my philosophers,
Tall dreary men lying on the hills all night
Watching the stars, let their dogs watch the sheep. And I'll havelunatics
For my poets, strolling from farm to farm, wild liars distorting
The country news into supernaturalism--
For all men to such minds are devils or gods--and that increases
Man's dignity, man's importance, necessary lies
Best told by fools.I will have no lawyers nor constables
Each man guard his own goods: there will be manslaughter,
But no more wars, no more mass-sacrifice. Nor I'll have no doctors,
Except old women gathering herbs on the mountain,
Let each have her sack of opium to ease the death-pains.That would be a good world, free and out-doors.
But the vast hungry spirit of the time
Cries to his chosen that there is nothing good
Except discovery, experiment and experience and discovery: To looktruth in the eyes,
To strip truth naked, let our dogs do our living for us
But man discover.It is a fine ambition,
But the wrong tools. Science and mathematics
Run parallel to reality, they symbolize it, they squint at it,
They never touch it: consider what an explosion
Would rock the bones of men into little white fragments and unskythe world
If any mind for a moment touch truth.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Silent Shepherds: A Masterpiece by Robinson Jeffers
Are you looking for a piece of literature that speaks to the soul and evokes deep contemplation? Look no further than the classic poem, The Silent Shepherds, written by Robinson Jeffers.
This masterpiece is a rich and complex exploration of nature, humanity, and the relationship between the two. Jeffers employs powerful and vivid imagery to create a world that is both beautiful and haunting, inspiring readers to reflect on their place in the grand scheme of things.
So what makes The Silent Shepherds so special? Let's dive in and explore its themes, symbolism, and poetic techniques.
Nature as a Source of Wisdom
One of the most striking themes of The Silent Shepherds is the idea that nature holds a wisdom that is beyond that of human understanding. This theme is present throughout the poem, but is particularly evident in lines like:
The hills are full of the sheep, the forest full of the deer,
And the valley of the wild cattle;
But the heart of the hills and the forest,
The heart of the cattle, the wild, the hidden,
Will never be known of men.
Here, Jeffers suggests that although humans may observe and appreciate the natural world, they can never truly understand its mysteries. The heart of nature, the part that makes it truly alive and vibrant, remains hidden and unknown to us.
This idea is reinforced by the repeated reference to the "silent shepherds" of the title. These shepherds are not human, but rather the forces of nature that guide and shape the world. Jeffers portrays them as wise and powerful beings, capable of both creating and destroying:
The hills are their pasture, they move
Unresting, with eyes that are endless,
That are knowing and still.
Here, Jeffers suggests that the "silent shepherds" are not simply passive observers of nature, but actively shape the world around them. They are a representation of the power and wisdom of nature, a force that is far beyond that of human understanding.
The Duality of Humanity
Another key theme of The Silent Shepherds is the idea that humanity is both a part of nature and separate from it. Jeffers explores this duality through a series of contrasting images and symbols.
On the one hand, humans are portrayed as being intimately connected to the natural world. Jeffers describes them as:
Wandering among the hills with slow steps,
That follow the meandering streams,
Looking at the flowers,
The silent waterfalls, the secret corners.
Here, Jeffers suggests that humans have a deep appreciation for the beauty and wonder of nature. They take the time to observe and appreciate the small details of the world around them, and find peace and solace in its tranquility.
However, at the same time, Jeffers also suggests that humans are fundamentally different from the natural world. He describes them as being:
Heavier, more gross, less vital
Than the quick creatures they persecute.
Here, Jeffers suggests that although humans may appreciate the natural world, they are also responsible for its destruction. They are "less vital" than the animals they hunt and the plants they trample, and are thus unable to fully integrate themselves into the natural world.
This duality is further reinforced by the repeated reference to the "tragic" nature of humanity. Jeffers suggests that humans are aware of their own limitations, and are constantly striving to overcome them:
They are aware of their tragic powers
Moving beneath the surface of the visible world,
Like whales that glide in the depths
Deep under the keels of ships.
Here, Jeffers suggests that humans are aware of the vastness of the natural world, and are constantly struggling to understand and control it. They are like whales, hidden and mysterious, always striving to overcome the limitations of their own mortality.
The Power of Symbolism
One of the most powerful aspects of The Silent Shepherds is Jeffers' use of symbolism. Throughout the poem, he employs a range of powerful images and metaphors to convey his ideas about nature and humanity.
One of the most striking examples of this is the repeated reference to "the hills." Jeffers uses this symbol to represent the vastness and mystery of nature. The hills are described as being:
Silent, austere, inaccessible,
A land of stone, of doom, of vastness,
Where the earth's heart beats slower,
Where the weak stars dwindle.
Here, Jeffers suggests that the hills are a place of mystery and transcendence, a place where the very essence of the earth is palpable. The hills are a symbol of the power and majesty of nature, a force that is far beyond the control of humanity.
Another powerful symbol in the poem is that of the "silent shepherds." As discussed earlier, these shepherds represent the power and wisdom of nature. They are a symbol of the vast and mysterious forces that shape the world around us, and that are far beyond our control.
Through his use of symbolism, Jeffers creates a world that is both vivid and haunting. He taps into the deep emotions and primal fears that are inherent in the human experience, and invites readers to reflect on their own place in the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Silent Shepherds is a masterpiece of poetic literature. Through his exploration of nature, humanity, and the relationship between the two, Jeffers creates a world that is both beautiful and haunting. His use of vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and poetic techniques creates a work that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
So if you're looking for a piece of literature that will speak to your soul and evoke deep contemplation, look no further than The Silent Shepherds. It is a work that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it, and will continue to inspire and challenge you for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Silent Shepherds: A Masterpiece of Robinson Jeffers
Robinson Jeffers, an American poet and playwright, is known for his unique style of writing that reflects his love for nature and his philosophical beliefs. His poem, The Silent Shepherds, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of his poetic vision. The poem is a reflection on the relationship between humans and nature, and how our actions impact the environment around us. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The poem begins with a description of a landscape that is both beautiful and serene. Jeffers paints a picture of a pastoral scene, with rolling hills, green meadows, and a flock of sheep grazing peacefully. The imagery is vivid and evocative, and the reader can almost feel the cool breeze and smell the fresh grass. However, the idyllic scene is soon disrupted by the arrival of humans, who bring with them their noise and chaos. Jeffers writes:
The hills grow darker to my sight
And thoughts begin to swim.
And I remember the large hopes
And the howling armies, and the strife
That tore Troy's topless towers down,
And Babylon's proud walls,
And in the holy land the long crusades,
And the wind's heads knocked off in the desert,
And I remember the meaning of the sword.
Here, Jeffers contrasts the peacefulness of nature with the violence and destruction that humans have wrought throughout history. He alludes to the Trojan War, the fall of Babylon, and the Crusades, all of which were marked by bloodshed and suffering. The wind's heads knocked off in the desert is a reference to the practice of beheading prisoners of war, which was common in the Middle East. Jeffers is reminding us that our actions have consequences, and that the violence we inflict on others will eventually come back to haunt us.
The poem then takes a turn, as Jeffers introduces the concept of the "silent shepherds." He writes:
But now the quiet stars look down
On hill and meadow and the sheep
As silent as the scattered stones
In the abandoned fields.
And I am haunted by the thought
That soon all this will be forgotten
Like a tale that the old shepherd
Tells to his dog on a winter's night.
The silent shepherds are a metaphor for the natural world, which quietly observes our actions but does not intervene. They are a reminder that nature is indifferent to our struggles and our triumphs, and that we are ultimately at its mercy. The abandoned fields and the forgotten tale are symbols of the impermanence of human existence, and the transience of our achievements. Jeffers is suggesting that we should be more humble in the face of nature, and that we should strive to live in harmony with it rather than trying to dominate it.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the stars, which serve as a symbol of the eternal and the infinite. Jeffers writes:
But the stars burn on overhead,
Unhasting and unresting,
And I think that if they were
To suddenly swerve aside
And crash into the earth
A shattering cataclysm
Would not disturb the sheep grazing
On the green hills of earth.
Here, Jeffers is suggesting that the universe is vast and indifferent to our existence, and that our struggles and our achievements are ultimately insignificant in the grand scheme of things. The sheep grazing on the green hills of earth are a symbol of the natural world, which will continue to exist long after we are gone. The poem is a reminder that we should be more mindful of our impact on the environment, and that we should strive to live in harmony with nature rather than trying to dominate it.
In conclusion, The Silent Shepherds is a masterpiece of Robinson Jeffers that captures the essence of his poetic vision. The poem is a reflection on the relationship between humans and nature, and how our actions impact the environment around us. Jeffers uses vivid imagery and powerful symbolism to convey his message, reminding us that we should be more humble in the face of nature, and that we should strive to live in harmony with it rather than trying to dominate it. The poem is a timeless reminder of the importance of environmental conservation, and a call to action for all of us to do our part in preserving the natural world for future generations.
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