'For The One Who Would Take Man's Life In His Hands' by Delmore Schwartz

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

Tiger Christ unsheathed his sword,
Threw it down, became a lamb.
Swift spat upon the species, but
Took two women to his heart.
Samson who was strong as death
Paid his strength to kiss a slut.
Othello that stiff warrior
Was broken by a woman's heart.
Troy burned for a sea-tax, also for
Possession of a charming whore.
What do all examples show?
What must the finished murderer know?You cannot sit on bayonets,
Nor can you eat among the dead.
When all are killed, you are alone,
A vacuum comes where hate has fed.
Murder's fruit is silent stone,
The gun increases poverty.
With what do these examples shine?
The soldier turned to girls and wine.
Love is the tact of every good,
The only warmth, the only peace."What have I said?" asked Socrates.
"Affirmed extremes, cried yes and no,
Taken all parts, denied myself,
Praised the caress, extolled the blow,
Soldier and lover quite deranged
Until their motions are exchanged.
-What do all examples show?
What can any actor know?
The contradiction in every act,
The infinite task of the human heart."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, For The One Who Would Take Man's Life In His Hands: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Delmore Schwartz's "Poetry, For The One Who Would Take Man's Life In His Hands" is a masterpiece that explores the power of poetry and the responsibilities that come with it. The poem is a warning to those who seek to use poetry to control and manipulate others. It is a call to action for poets to use their words wisely and for the betterment of humanity.

Overview

The poem is divided into five stanzas, each with eight lines. The stanzas are written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. The lack of structure in the poem is intentional, as it reflects the chaos and confusion that can arise when poetry is used for malicious purposes.

Analysis

The poem begins with an epigraph from the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, "If all things flow, nothing abides." This sets the tone for the poem and suggests that the only constant in life is change. The first stanza introduces the main theme of the poem, which is the power of poetry. The speaker warns that poetry can be used to "take man's life in his hands" and that it is a dangerous weapon.

The second stanza explores the idea that poetry can be used to control others. The speaker warns of those who use poetry to "shackle the mind" and to "enslave the heart." This stanza is a warning against the use of poetry for propaganda or brainwashing.

The third stanza is a call to action for poets. The speaker urges them to use their words for the betterment of humanity and to "sing for man's nobility." This stanza is a reminder that poetry has the power to inspire and uplift people, and that poets have a responsibility to use their words for good.

The fourth stanza explores the idea that poetry can be used to manipulate emotions. The speaker warns of those who use poetry to "stir the blood" and to "ravage the soul." This stanza is a warning against the use of poetry for personal gain or to incite violence.

The final stanza is a call to action for readers. The speaker urges them to be discerning and to "read not for gloss or sweet sound" but to "read for the human story." This stanza is a reminder that readers have a responsibility to critically engage with poetry and to use their own judgment to determine the true message behind the words.

Interpretation

"Poetry, For The One Who Would Take Man's Life In His Hands" is a cautionary tale about the power of poetry. The poem warns that poetry can be used for good or evil, and that poets have a responsibility to use their words for the betterment of humanity. The poem is a reminder that readers have a responsibility to critically engage with poetry and to use their own judgment to determine the true message behind the words.

The poem is also a commentary on the role of art in society. The speaker suggests that art has the power to inspire and uplift people, but that it can also be used to manipulate and control them. The poem is a call to action for artists to use their craft for good and to resist the temptation to use it for personal gain or to incite violence.

Overall, "Poetry, For The One Who Would Take Man's Life In His Hands" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex relationship between art and society. The poem is a reminder that poetry has the power to change lives, and that with great power comes great responsibility.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry For The One Who Would Take Man's Life In His Hands: An Analysis

Delmore Schwartz's "Poetry For The One Who Would Take Man's Life In His Hands" is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of human existence and the struggle to find meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. With its vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and hauntingly beautiful language, this poem is a true masterpiece of modern poetry.

The poem begins with a stark and ominous warning: "You who would take man's life in your hands / Be careful, I warn you, you will suffer too." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the consequences of violence and the fragility of human life. The speaker of the poem seems to be addressing someone who is contemplating taking another person's life, and is warning them of the terrible consequences that will follow.

The first stanza of the poem is filled with vivid and powerful imagery that sets the scene for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes a world that is dark and foreboding, where "the streets are full of pain" and "the night is full of knives." This imagery creates a sense of danger and menace, and suggests that the world is a hostile and unforgiving place.

The second stanza of the poem is where the real power of the poem begins to emerge. Here, the speaker begins to explore the idea of human mortality and the inevitability of death. The speaker describes how "the stars are sharp as knives / And the wind is made of glass," suggesting that even the natural world is hostile and dangerous. The speaker goes on to describe how "the moon is a silver skull / And the sun is a ball of blood," creating a sense of horror and dread.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful and haunting. Here, the speaker describes how "the world is a dying man / And you are a killer worm." This metaphor is both shocking and deeply unsettling, suggesting that human beings are nothing more than parasites feeding off a dying world. The speaker goes on to describe how "life is a fable that no one believes / And death is a fable that everyone fears," suggesting that both life and death are ultimately meaningless.

The final stanza of the poem is a meditation on the power of poetry to transcend the limitations of human existence. The speaker describes how "poetry is a sword above the reach of fate / And a shield against the arrows of despair." This metaphor suggests that poetry has the power to elevate us above the mundane and the ordinary, and to help us find meaning and purpose in a world that often seems devoid of both.

Overall, "Poetry For The One Who Would Take Man's Life In His Hands" is a powerful and deeply moving poem that explores some of the most profound questions of human existence. With its vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and hauntingly beautiful language, this poem is a true masterpiece of modern poetry. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who is searching for meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it, this poem is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Editor Recommended Sites

Dart Book - Learn Dart 3 and Flutter: Best practice resources around dart 3 and Flutter. How to connect flutter to GPT-4, GPT-3.5, Palm / Bard
Cloud Actions - Learn Cloud actions & Cloud action Examples: Learn and get examples for Cloud Actions
Crypto Ratings - Top rated alt coins by type, industry and quality of team: Discovery which alt coins are scams and how to tell the difference
Learn Terraform: Learn Terraform for AWS and GCP
Scikit-Learn Tutorial: Learn Sklearn. The best guides, tutorials and best practice

Recommended Similar Analysis

Flood , The by Robert Lee Frost analysis
To His Mistress Going to Bed by John Donne analysis
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry analysis
I years had been from home, by Emily Dickinson analysis
Thorn , The by William Wordsworth analysis
Love 's Last Adieu by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
Sonnet 16 by John Milton analysis
It dropped so low in my regard by Emily Dickinson analysis
When The Lamp Is Shattered by Percy Bysshe Shelley analysis
Tree At My Window by Robert Frost analysis