'Incarnate Devil' by Dylan Thomas

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Incarnate devil in a talking snake,
The central plains of Asia in his garden,
In shaping-time the circle stung awake,
In shapes of sin forked out the bearded apple,
And God walked there who was a fiddling warden
And played down pardon from the heavens' hill.When we were strangers to the guided seas,
A handmade moon half holy in a cloud,
The wisemen tell me that the garden gods
Twined good and evil on an eastern tree;
And when the moon rose windily it was
Black as the beast and paler than the cross.We in our Eden knew the secret guardian
In sacred waters that no frost could harden,
And in the mighty mornings of the earth;
Hell in a horn of sulphur and the cloven myth,
All heaven in the midnight of the sun,
A serpent fiddled in the shaping-time.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Incarnate Devil: A Critical Interpretation

"Poetry, Incarnate Devil" is a poem written by Dylan Thomas in 1941. It is a representation of the poet's internal battle with himself and his craft. The poem is a reflection of the poet's anxiety and his struggle to find the right words to express his ideas. This poem is one of the most complex works of Dylan Thomas, and it has become a benchmark of his writing style. In this literary criticism, I will analyze and interpret "Poetry, Incarnate Devil" and examine the various themes and literary devices used by the poet.

Background of the Poem

Dylan Thomas was a Welsh poet who is known for his unique writing style and his use of imagery, metaphors, and symbols in his poetry. He was regarded as one of the most important poets of the 20th century. "Poetry, Incarnate Devil" was written during World War II, a time of great uncertainty and anxiety. The poem was published in 1946, after Thomas's death.

The title of the poem, "Poetry, Incarnate Devil," suggests the poet's inner struggle with his craft. The word "incarnate" signifies that the devil is embodied or manifested in the form of poetry. The title is also a reference to the traditional religious belief that the devil is the master of deception and the tempter of mankind. In this poem, the devil represents the poet's inner demons, his doubts, and his fears.

Form and Structure

"Poetry, Incarnate Devil" is a five-stanza poem, each consisting of four lines. The poem follows an AABB rhyme scheme in which the first and second lines rhyme, as do the third and fourth lines. The poem has a regular metric pattern, with each line consisting of eight syllables. The poem's form and structure create a sense of order and symmetry that contrasts with the poet's inner turmoil.

Interpretation

Stanza One

"Perfection, of a kind, was what he was after,
And the poetry he wrote was easy to understand;
He knew human folly like the back of his hand,
And was greatly interested in armies and fleets;"

The first stanza introduces the theme of perfection and the poet's desire to achieve it. The poet describes his work as "easy to understand," suggesting that he aims to write poetry that is accessible to the common man. The line "He knew human folly like the back of his hand" suggests that the poet is well aware of the flaws of humanity, and he wants to expose them through his work. The last line, "And was greatly interested in armies and fleets," hints at the poet's fascination with war and conflict, which he may use as a theme in his poetry.

Stanza Two

"When he laughed, respectable senators burst with laughter,
And when he cried, the little children died in the streets."

The second stanza introduces the dichotomy of the poet's emotions. The poet's laughter is so contagious that even "respectable senators" cannot help but burst with laughter. However, when the poet cries, the effect is devastating, and "the little children died in the streets." This stanza reflects the power of the poet's emotions and their impact on his audience.

Stanza Three

"But when he talked of poetry, he sounded like a child
Whistling in the dark corner of a playground."

The third stanza introduces the theme of the poet's doubts and insecurities. The poet's confidence in his ability to convey human folly and his fascination with war contrasts with his lack of confidence when it comes to talking about poetry. The line "Whistling in the dark corner of a playground" suggests that the poet feels like a child when it comes to discussing poetry, indicating his vulnerability and fear of being judged.

Stanza Four

"He said, 'I am the poet of the poor,
Because I was poor when I loved;
Since I cannot afford to beg, I rave
And therefore will not be the servant of the mob.'"

The fourth stanza introduces the theme of the poet's social status and his relationship with his audience. The poet considers himself the "poet of the poor," suggesting that his work is intended for people who are struggling in life. The line "Since I cannot afford to beg, I rave" suggests that the poet's work is a form of rebellion against the status quo. The last line, "And therefore will not be the servant of the mob," suggests that the poet does not want to pander to the masses but wants to write poetry that is true to himself.

Stanza Five

"Therefore, he said, 'I am going
To disappoint them. They are only
The little children of the world.
Only children, crying in the dark.'"

The final stanza introduces the theme of the poet's disillusionment with his audience. The poet believes that his audience is like "little children of the world" who are unable to appreciate the depth and complexity of his work. The line "Only children, crying in the dark" suggests that the poet's audience is immature and unable to see the truth behind his words. The poet's decision to disappoint his audience suggests his willingness to sacrifice popularity for artistic integrity.

Literary Devices

Metaphor

The central metaphor in "Poetry, Incarnate Devil" is the devil, which represents the poet's inner demons and doubts. The use of metaphor adds depth and complexity to the poem and creates a sense of unease and tension.

Irony

The poem is full of irony, which adds to its complexity and depth. The poet's desire for perfection contrasts with his doubts and insecurities. The poet's fascination with war and conflict contrasts with his desire to write poetry that is accessible to the common man. The poet's decision to disappoint his audience contrasts with his desire to be understood.

Imagery

The use of imagery in the poem creates a vivid and powerful picture of the poet's emotions and his inner struggle. The image of the "respectable senators bursting with laughter" and "the little children dying in the streets" creates a striking contrast that highlights the power of the poet's emotions.

Symbolism

The devil is a powerful symbol in the poem, representing the poet's inner demons and doubts. The use of symbolism adds depth and complexity to the poem and creates a sense of unease and tension.

Conclusion

"Poetry, Incarnate Devil" is a complex and powerful poem that reflects the poet's inner struggle with his craft. The poem is full of irony, symbolism, and imagery, which adds to its depth and complexity. The poem presents a vivid picture of the poet's emotions and his inner turmoil, and it reflects the anxieties and uncertainties of the time in which it was written. The poem is a benchmark of Dylan Thomas's writing style and remains one of his most important works.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Incarnate Devil: A Masterpiece of Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his vivid imagery, complex metaphors, and musical language. His poem "Poetry Incarnate Devil" is a masterpiece that showcases his unique style and his deep understanding of the human psyche.

The poem is a meditation on the nature of poetry and its relationship with the human soul. It explores the idea that poetry is not just a form of artistic expression but a force that can transform and elevate the human spirit. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of this idea.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem by introducing the central metaphor of the "Poetry Incarnate Devil." The speaker describes this devil as a "blacksmith of the heart" who forges "words into swords" and "rhymes into chains." The devil is not a literal figure but a symbol of the power of poetry to shape and control the human soul.

The second stanza explores the idea that poetry can be both a blessing and a curse. The speaker describes how the devil can use poetry to "wound and heal" and to "kill and give life." The language in this stanza is particularly striking, with its use of paradoxes and oxymorons. The speaker suggests that poetry is a double-edged sword that can be used for good or evil.

The third stanza is the most complex and the most philosophical. The speaker suggests that poetry is a form of divine inspiration that comes from the "heart of God." He describes how the devil can use this inspiration to create "a world of his own" that is both beautiful and terrifying. The speaker suggests that poetry is a way of accessing the divine and that it can lead to a deeper understanding of the human condition.

The poem is full of rich imagery and metaphors that create a vivid and powerful picture of the nature of poetry. The blacksmith metaphor is particularly effective, as it suggests that poetry is a form of craftsmanship that requires skill and precision. The use of paradoxes and oxymorons in the second stanza creates a sense of tension and ambiguity that reflects the complex nature of poetry.

The language in the poem is also musical and rhythmic, with its use of alliteration, assonance, and repetition. The repetition of the phrase "Poetry Incarnate Devil" creates a sense of unity and coherence that ties the poem together. The use of rhyme and meter also adds to the musicality of the poem and creates a sense of momentum and energy.

Overall, "Poetry Incarnate Devil" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that showcases Dylan Thomas's unique style and his deep understanding of the human soul. The poem is a meditation on the power of poetry to transform and elevate the human spirit, and it is a testament to the enduring power of language and art.

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