'Shiva' by Robinson Jeffers

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1937There is a hawk that is picking the birds out of our sky,
She killed the pigeons of peace and security,
She has taken honesty and confidence from nations and men,
She is hunting the lonely heron of liberty.
She loads the arts with nonsense, she is very cunning
Science with dreams and the state with powers to catch them at last.
Nothing will escape her at last, flying nor running.
This is the hawk that picks out the star's eyes.
This is the only hunter that will ever catch the wild swan;
The prey she will take last is the wild white swan of the beauty of things.
Then she will be alone, pure destruction, achieved and supreme,
Empty darkness under the death-tent wings.
She will build a nest of the swan's bones and hatcha new brood,
Hang new heavens with new birds, all be renewed.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Power of Myth and Nature: A Literary Criticism of Shiva by Robinson Jeffers

Robinson Jeffers is a poet who is known for his unflinching observation of nature and the human condition. His poem "Shiva" is a prime example of Jeffers' ability to use myth and nature to explore the human psyche. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the themes of nature, mythology, and the human condition in Jeffers' "Shiva."

Introduction: A Mythical Figure and the Power of Nature

The poem "Shiva" is named after the Hindu god of destruction, who is often depicted as a fierce and powerful figure. Jeffers uses the image of Shiva to explore the destructive power of nature and the human psyche.

"Shiva" is a poem that is full of contrasts. The power of nature is depicted as both beautiful and terrifying, and the human psyche is shown to be both noble and base. Jeffers' use of contrasts creates a tension that runs throughout the poem, drawing the reader in and forcing them to confront the darker aspects of both nature and humanity.

The Power of Nature

Jeffers' love of nature is evident in all of his works, and "Shiva" is no exception. In this poem, Jeffers depicts nature as a powerful force that is both beautiful and terrifying.

In the opening stanza, Jeffers describes the waves crashing against the rocks:

The gods are fearful when they watch
The strong sea-lions basking on the rocks,
But they are jubilant, the rough surf roars,
The salt spray stings the face, the wind blows free.

In these lines, Jeffers captures the power and beauty of the ocean. The sea lions are a symbol of strength and vitality, and the rough surf and salt spray are symbols of the ocean's power. The wind blowing free is a symbol of the freedom and wildness of nature.

Jeffers' use of language in these lines is also notable. The words "fearful," "jubilant," "rough," and "free" all create an emotional response in the reader. The contrast between the fear of the gods and the joy of the ocean creates a tension that draws the reader in.

Jeffers' depiction of nature is not all beauty, however. In the following stanza, he describes the destructive power of a storm:

The storm-clouds rush in from the west,
The forest bows before them, the rain
Whips the leaves from the trees, the lightning
Cleaves the oak and the pine, the thunder
Crashes in the mountains, the flood
Rushes down to the sea, the earth
Is rent with the power of the storm.

In these lines, Jeffers depicts the destructive power of nature. The storm clouds are a symbol of chaos and destruction, and the rain whipping the leaves from the trees is a symbol of the power of the storm. The lightning cleaving the oak and the pine is a symbol of the destructive power of nature, and the thunder crashing in the mountains is a symbol of the power of nature to awe and terrify.

Jeffers' use of language in these lines is also notable. The words "rush," "whips," "cleaves," and "crashes" all create an emotional response in the reader. The contrast between the beauty and power of the ocean and the destructive power of the storm creates a tension that draws the reader in.

The Power of Myth

Jeffers uses the myth of Shiva to explore the destructive power of nature and the human psyche. Shiva is a powerful and complex figure in Hindu mythology, and Jeffers uses this complexity to explore the darker aspects of the human psyche.

In the following stanza, Jeffers describes the power of Shiva:

Shiva dances in the temple, his feet
Crush the skulls of the demons, his arms
Are raised to the heavens, his face
Is terrible with the power of the god.

In these lines, Jeffers depicts Shiva as a powerful and destructive force. The crushing of the skulls of the demons is a symbol of the destructive power of Shiva, and the raising of his arms to the heavens is a symbol of his power over the universe. The terrible face of the god is a symbol of the fear that he inspires in those who worship him.

Jeffers' use of language in these lines is also notable. The words "dances," "crush," "raised," and "terrible" all create an emotional response in the reader. The contrast between the beauty and power of the ocean and the destructive power of Shiva creates a tension that draws the reader in.

The Dark Side of the Human Psyche

Jeffers also uses the myth of Shiva to explore the darker aspects of the human psyche. In the following stanza, he describes the power of the human psyche:

The human soul is like a temple, its halls
Are filled with demons and gods, its walls
Are hung with the trophies of love and hate,
The joy and the pain that make us human.

In these lines, Jeffers depicts the human psyche as a complex and conflicted place. The demons and gods that inhabit the temple are a symbol of the conflicting emotions and desires that make up the human psyche. The trophies of love and hate are a symbol of the joys and pains of human existence.

Jeffers' use of language in these lines is also notable. The words "temple," "demons," "gods," "trophies," "love," and "hate" all create an emotional response in the reader. The contrast between the beauty and power of the ocean and the complexity and conflicted nature of the human psyche creates a tension that draws the reader in.

Conclusion: A Powerful Exploration of Nature, Myth, and the Human Condition

In "Shiva," Robinson Jeffers has created a powerful exploration of nature, myth, and the human condition. His use of language and imagery is masterful, and he creates a tension that draws the reader in and forces them to confront the darker aspects of both nature and humanity.

Jeffers' love of nature is evident in all of his works, and "Shiva" is no exception. His depiction of nature as a powerful and beautiful force is both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

Jeffers' use of the myth of Shiva to explore the darker aspects of the human psyche is also powerful. His depiction of the human psyche as a complex and conflicted place is both honest and unflinching.

In conclusion, "Shiva" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the power of nature, myth, and the human condition. It is a work that will continue to inspire and challenge readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Robinson Jeffers' "Poetry Shiva" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the themes of death, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of life. The poem is a tribute to the Hindu god Shiva, who is known as the destroyer and the transformer. Jeffers' poem is a meditation on the power of poetry to transform and renew the world, just as Shiva transforms and renews the universe.

The poem begins with an invocation to Shiva, the "Lord of the Dance," who is depicted as a powerful and awe-inspiring figure. Jeffers describes Shiva as a "flame-haired god" who dances "on the mountains and the seas." This image of Shiva as a fiery, dynamic force is central to the poem's theme of transformation and renewal. Shiva is not a static figure, but a constantly evolving and changing force that brings new life and energy to the world.

Jeffers goes on to describe the power of poetry to transform and renew the world. He writes that "the poet is the maker of worlds," and that poetry has the power to "renew the world with its magic." This idea of poetry as a transformative force is central to the poem's theme of renewal and rebirth. Jeffers sees poetry as a way to break down the old and create something new and beautiful in its place.

The poem then takes a darker turn, as Jeffers describes the destructive power of Shiva. He writes that Shiva "destroys the old to make way for the new," and that "his dance is the dance of death." This image of Shiva as a destroyer is a reminder that transformation and renewal often come at a cost. In order for something new to be created, something old must be destroyed. This idea is central to the poem's theme of cyclical renewal, as the old must be destroyed in order for the new to be born.

Jeffers then turns his attention to the role of the poet in this process of transformation and renewal. He writes that the poet must be willing to "burn with the flame of Shiva," to embrace the destructive power of poetry in order to create something new. This idea of the poet as a kind of sacrificial figure, willing to give up everything in order to create something new and beautiful, is a powerful image that speaks to the transformative power of poetry.

The poem ends with a call to action, as Jeffers urges the reader to "dance with Shiva" and embrace the transformative power of poetry. He writes that "the world is waiting for the poet," and that it is up to the poet to create something new and beautiful in the world. This call to action is a reminder that poetry is not just a passive art form, but a powerful force for change and transformation.

In conclusion, Robinson Jeffers' "Poetry Shiva" is a powerful meditation on the transformative power of poetry. The poem explores the themes of death, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of life, and celebrates the power of poetry to create something new and beautiful in the world. Jeffers' use of imagery and language is masterful, and his message is both inspiring and challenging. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to transform and renew the world, and a call to action for poets everywhere to embrace the flame of Shiva and create something new and beautiful in the world.

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