'Consolation' by Matthew Arnold
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Mist clogs the sunshine.
Smoky dwarf houses
Hem me round everywhere;
A vague dejection
Weighs down my soul.
Yet, while I languish,
Everywhere countless
Prospects unroll themselves,
And countless beings
Pass countless moods.
Far hence, in Asia,
On the smooth convent-roofs,
On the gilt terraces,
Of holy Lassa,
Bright shines the sun.
Grey time-worn marbles
Hold the pure Muses;
In their cool gallery,
By yellow Tiber,
They still look fair.
Strange unloved uproar
Shrills round their portal;
Yet not on Helicon
Kept they more cloudless
Their noble calm.
Through sun-proof alleys
In a lone, sand-hemm'd
City of Africa,
A blind, led beggar,
Age-bow'd, asks alms.
No bolder robber
Erst abode ambush'd
Deep in the sandy waste;
No clearer eyesight
Spied prey afar.
Saharan sand-winds
Sear'd his keen eyeballs;
Spent is the spoil he won.
For him the present
Holds only pain.
Two young, fair lovers,
Where the warm June-wind,
Fresh from the summer fields
Plays fondly round them,
Stand, tranced in joy.
With sweet, join'd voices,
And with eyes brimming:
"Ah," they cry, "Destiny,
Prolong the present!
Time, stand still here!"
The prompt stern Goddess
Shakes her head, frowning;
Time gives his hour-glass
Its due reversal;
Their hour is gone.
With weak indulgence
Did the just Goddess
Lengthen their happiness,
She lengthen'd also
Distress elsewhere.
The hour, whose happy
Unalloy'd moments
I would eternalise,
Ten thousand mourners
Well pleased see end.
The bleak, stern hour,
Whose severe moments
I would annihilate,
Is pass'd by others
In warmth, light, joy.
Time, so complain'd of,
Who to no one man
Shows partiality,
Brings round to all men
Some undimm'd hours.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Beauty of Consolation: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Matthew Arnold's Poetry
When we think of poetry, we often think of it as a means of expressing emotion, of putting into words the inexpressible. But what about the poetry that seeks instead to provide comfort, to console us in times of trouble? This is the kind of poetry that Matthew Arnold's "Consolation" aims to be, and it is a work that deserves our careful attention and appreciation.
Background and Context
Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) was a Victorian poet, critic, and cultural commentator who is perhaps best known for his collection of essays Culture and Anarchy. His poetry, however, is also of great interest and deserves more recognition than it often receives. "Consolation" was published in 1867 as part of Arnold's collection New Poems. The poem is brief, consisting of only two stanzas, but it packs a powerful emotional punch.
At the time of its publication, England was undergoing significant cultural and social changes. The Industrial Revolution had transformed the country, and with it came new challenges and struggles. The rise of scientific rationalism also challenged traditional religious beliefs, leaving many feeling lost and disconnected from the comforting certainties of the past. In this context, Arnold's poetry sought to provide a bridge between the old and the new, offering a sense of continuity and solace in a rapidly changing world.
Interpretation and Analysis
"Consolation" is a poem that is both simple and complex, offering a surface-level message of comfort while also inviting deeper reflection and interpretation. The poem takes the form of a dialogue between the speaker and an unnamed interlocutor. The first stanza sets the scene:
Why, why repine, my pensive friend,
At pleasures slipped away?
Some the stern Fates will never lend,
And all refuse to stay.
Here we see the speaker addressing someone who is feeling down, perhaps mourning the loss of a loved one or a missed opportunity. The tone is gentle and sympathetic, with the use of the word "pensive" conveying a sense of sadness and introspection. The phrase "pleasures slipped away" suggests that the speaker is talking about something that has already happened, something that cannot be changed. This is a theme that runs throughout the poem: the inevitability of loss and the need to find comfort in the face of it.
The second half of the stanza introduces the idea of fate, a concept that was important to the Victorians and that Arnold frequently explored in his poetry. The phrase "the stern Fates" suggests a sense of inevitability and even cruelty, as if the speaker is saying that some things are simply beyond our control. The use of the word "refuse" also conveys a sense of rejection, as if the things we desire are actively resisting us.
The second stanza continues the dialogue:
And if the soft delights of love
In easy youth be thine,
Ah! don't let them less valued prove
That Love hath been divine.
Here the speaker acknowledges the pain of loss but encourages the interlocutor to find value in the things that they still have. The reference to "soft delights of love" suggests a romantic relationship, but the sentiment can be applied more broadly to any kind of pleasure or comfort. The phrase "easy youth" suggests a time of innocence and simplicity, a time before the weight of the world had fully descended. The speaker is saying that even if we cannot hold onto these moments forever, we can still appreciate them for the beauty and joy they brought us.
The second half of the stanza is more complex, introducing the idea of divinity and the role that love plays in our lives. The phrase "Love hath been divine" suggests that the speaker sees love as a kind of higher power, something that transcends our earthly worries and concerns. The use of the word "hath" suggests a sense of permanence, as if the speaker is saying that even if love is lost, it still exists in some form. This idea of love as a divine force is one that Arnold returns to frequently in his poetry, and it is a theme that is particularly important in "Consolation."
Themes and Significance
At its core, "Consolation" is a poem about finding comfort and solace in the face of loss. The speaker acknowledges the pain and sadness that the interlocutor is feeling but encourages them to see the value in the things that they still have. The idea of fate and the inevitability of loss is a theme that runs throughout the poem, suggesting that there are some things that we simply cannot control. However, the poem also suggests that there are some things that are more powerful than loss, such as the beauty and joy of love.
One of the most significant themes in the poem is the idea of love as a divine force. The phrase "Love hath been divine" suggests a sense of transcendence, as if love is something that exists beyond our earthly concerns. This idea of love as a higher power is one that is particularly resonant in a time when traditional religious beliefs were being challenged by scientific rationalism. The poem offers a kind of secular spirituality, suggesting that even if we cannot rely on traditional religious beliefs, we can still find meaning and comfort in the beauty of the world around us.
Another significant theme in the poem is the idea of continuity. The speaker acknowledges the inevitability of loss but encourages the interlocutor to see the value in the things that they still have. This idea of finding value in the present moment is a common theme in Arnold's poetry, as he sought to bridge the gap between the past and the present. The poem suggests that even if the world is changing around us, there are some things that are enduring and unchanging, such as the beauty of love.
Conclusion
"Consolation" is a poem that offers both comfort and challenge. The surface-level message is one of solace and consolation, encouraging the reader to see the value in the things that they still have. However, the poem also invites deeper reflection and interpretation, exploring complex themes such as fate, love, and continuity. Through its simple yet powerful language, "Consolation" offers a kind of secular spirituality that is both timeless and relevant to our modern world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Matthew Arnold's "Consolation" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition and the struggles that we all face in life. The poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the nature of life and the importance of finding comfort in the face of adversity.
The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging the difficulties of life. He speaks of the "weary, way-worn wanderer" who is "faint and sore and lone." This is a powerful image that immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is acknowledging that life is hard and that we all face struggles and challenges.
However, the poem quickly moves from this bleak image to one of hope and comfort. The speaker tells us that even in the midst of our struggles, there is still beauty and goodness in the world. He speaks of the "sweetness of the skies" and the "beauty of the earth." These are images of hope and comfort that remind us that even in the darkest of times, there is still something to hold on to.
The poem then moves into a discussion of the nature of life itself. The speaker tells us that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of the time that we have. He speaks of the "swift and silent hours" that pass us by, reminding us that we must cherish every moment that we have.
The poem then takes a turn towards the spiritual. The speaker tells us that there is a higher power that watches over us and that we can find comfort in this knowledge. He speaks of the "love divine" that surrounds us and the "blessed hope" that we can hold on to. These are powerful images that speak to the human need for something greater than ourselves.
The poem then ends with a beautiful image of the afterlife. The speaker tells us that even in death, there is still hope and comfort. He speaks of the "calm and holy light" that awaits us in the afterlife, reminding us that there is something beyond this life that we can look forward to.
Overall, Matthew Arnold's "Consolation" is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the human condition. It acknowledges the difficulties of life while also reminding us that there is still beauty and goodness in the world. It speaks to our need for something greater than ourselves and offers us hope and comfort in the face of adversity. This is a poem that has stood the test of time and will continue to speak to generations of readers to come.
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