'A Creed' by John Masefield
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I HOLD that when a person dies
His soul returns again to earth;
Arrayed in some new flesh-disguise
Another mother gives him birth.
With sturdier limbs and brighter brain
The old soul takes the road again.
Such is my own belief and trust;
This hand, this hand that holds the pen,
Has many a hundred times been dust
And turned, as dust, to dust again;
These eyes of mine have blinked and shown
In Thebes, in Troy, in Babylon.
All that I rightly think or do,
Or make, or spoil, or bless, or blast,
Is curse or blessing justly due
For sloth or effort in the past.
My life's a statement of the sum
Of vice indulged, or overcome.
I know that in my lives to be
My sorry heart will ache and burn,
And worship, unavailingly,
The woman whom I used to spurn,
And shake to see another have
The love I spurned, the love she gave.
And I shall know, in angry words,
In gibes, and mocks, and many a tear,
A carrion flock of homing-birds,
The gibes and scorns I uttered here.
The brave word that I failed to speak
Will brand me dastard on the cheek.
And as I wander on the roads
I shall be helped and healed and blessed;
Dear words shall cheer and be as goads
To urge to heights before unguessed.
My road shall be the road I made;
All that I gave shall be repaid.
So shall I fight, so shall I tread,
In this long war beneath the stars;
So shall a glory wreathe my head,
So shall I faint and show the scars,
Until this case, this clogging mould,
Be smithied all to kingly gold.
Editor 1 Interpretation
#John Masefield's "Poetry: A Creed"
If you're a literature enthusiast or a poetry lover, you might have come across John Masefield's "Poetry: A Creed." This poem, originally published in 1918, has remained an iconic piece of literature that has inspired and moved people throughout the years. In this 4000-word literary criticism, we will explore the themes, the structure, the language, and the interpretations of this magnificent work of art. Get ready for an exciting journey into the world of Masefield's poetry!
##Themes
"Poetry: A Creed" is a poem that explores the power of poetry and the role it plays in our lives. The poem begins with the assertion that "poetry is a weapon" and goes on to describe how poetry can inspire, transform, and heal. The poem also highlights the importance of imagination, creativity, and beauty in our lives. Masefield argues that poetry is not just a literary form but a way of life, a creed that we should all live by.
One of the main themes of the poem is the idea that poetry can help us make sense of the world. Masefield writes that "poetry makes life's dreariness less drear" and that it has the power to "illumine life's dark way." In other words, poetry can help us find meaning and purpose in our lives, even when things seem bleak and hopeless.
Another theme of the poem is the importance of individuality and self-expression. Masefield writes that "poetry is the voice of the soul" and that it allows us to express ourselves in a way that is unique and authentic. He argues that poetry is not just for the elite or the educated but for everyone, and that it has the power to unite people from different backgrounds and cultures.
##Structure
"Poetry: A Creed" is a sonnet, a traditional form of poetry that consists of fourteen lines. Masefield's sonnet is divided into two parts: the octave (the first eight lines) and the sestet (the last six lines). The octave presents the main idea of the poem, while the sestet provides a resolution or a conclusion.
The rhyme scheme of the sonnet is ABBAABBA CDCDCD, which is the standard for the Petrarchan sonnet. The use of this rhyme scheme creates a sense of balance and symmetry in the poem, which reinforces the idea that poetry is a way of bringing order to the chaos of life.
##Language
Masefield's language is simple and direct, which is appropriate for a poem that celebrates the accessibility and universality of poetry. The poem is full of vivid imagery and metaphors that help to convey the power and beauty of poetry. For example, Masefield writes that poetry is "a sword to fight with" and "a staff to lean upon." These metaphors suggest that poetry is both a weapon and a source of support, which highlights its versatility and importance.
The poem also contains a number of rhetorical devices, such as repetition and parallelism. For example, Masefield repeats the phrase "poetry is" throughout the poem, which emphasizes the central role that poetry plays in our lives. Similarly, he uses parallel structure when he writes that poetry is "the voice of the soul, the voice of the crowd, the voice of the individual." This repetition and parallelism create a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem, which draws the reader in and makes the argument more persuasive.
##Interpretations
"Poetry: A Creed" is a poem that can be interpreted in many different ways, depending on the reader's perspective and experience. Here are some possible interpretations:
- The poem is a celebration of the power and beauty of poetry. Masefield argues that poetry can inspire, transform, and heal, and that it is essential to our lives.
- The poem is a call to action. Masefield urges us to embrace poetry as a way of life, to use it as a weapon against injustice and oppression, and to share it with others.
- The poem is a critique of modern society. Masefield suggests that the world has become too materialistic and cynical, and that poetry can provide a counterbalance to this trend.
- The poem is a statement of personal belief. Masefield may have written this poem as a way of expressing his own views about the importance of poetry in his life.
##Conclusion
John Masefield's "Poetry: A Creed" is a sonnet that celebrates the power and beauty of poetry. The poem presents a number of themes, such as the importance of imagination, the role of poetry in making sense of the world, and the significance of individuality and self-expression. The structure, language, and rhetorical devices used in the poem help to reinforce these themes and create a sense of unity and coherence. The interpretations of the poem are varied, but all of them emphasize the significance of poetry as a way of life. In conclusion, "Poetry: A Creed" is a masterpiece of literature that continues to inspire and move readers around the world.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry A Creed: An Analysis of John Masefield's Masterpiece
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to move people, to inspire them, and to make them see the world in a different light. It is a medium that allows us to express our deepest emotions, thoughts, and ideas in a way that is both beautiful and profound. John Masefield, one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, understood this power of poetry and wrote a masterpiece that captures the essence of what poetry is all about. This masterpiece is called "Poetry A Creed."
"Poetry A Creed" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and power of poetry. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of every poet and every lover of poetry. In this poem, Masefield lays out his vision of what poetry is and what it can do. He describes poetry as a force that can transform the world and as a means of expressing the deepest truths of the human experience.
The poem begins with the lines, "I hold that when a person dies / His soul returns again to earth; / Arrayed in some new flesh-disguise / Another mother gives him birth." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. Masefield is saying that life is a cycle, and that death is not the end. He is suggesting that poetry, like life, is a cycle as well. It is something that is constantly being reborn and reinvented.
Masefield goes on to say that poetry is not just a form of entertainment or a way to pass the time. It is something that has the power to change the world. He writes, "It has the power to make men free, / To lift them from the dust of earth; / It has the power to make them see / The beauty of the world's wide girth." Masefield is saying that poetry can inspire people to be better, to do better, and to see the world in a different way. It can help people to break free from the constraints of their everyday lives and to see the beauty that surrounds them.
The poem also speaks to the idea that poetry is a means of expressing the deepest truths of the human experience. Masefield writes, "It is the voice of joy and woe, / It is the voice of tears and sighs; / It is the voice of hope and woe, / Of dreams that vanish in the skies." He is saying that poetry is a way of expressing all of the emotions that make us human. It is a way of expressing our hopes, our fears, our joys, and our sorrows. It is a way of connecting with others and of sharing our experiences.
Masefield also speaks to the idea that poetry is a form of art that requires discipline and hard work. He writes, "It is the poet's art to sing / The secrets of the heart and mind; / To bring to light the hidden thing, / The gold that lies in every kind." Masefield is saying that poetry is not something that can be done casually or without effort. It requires discipline, hard work, and a willingness to dig deep and to explore the depths of the human experience.
The poem ends with the lines, "So let us love this noble art, / And live with it with all our days; / For it alone can heal the heart, / And teach the soul to sing with praise." These lines sum up the message of the poem. Masefield is saying that poetry is something that we should love and cherish. It is something that can heal our hearts and teach our souls to sing with praise. It is something that can bring us closer to the truth of our existence and to the beauty of the world around us.
In conclusion, "Poetry A Creed" is a masterpiece that celebrates the beauty and power of poetry. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of every poet and every lover of poetry. It is a poem that reminds us of the transformative power of poetry and of its ability to connect us with the deepest truths of the human experience. John Masefield was a master poet, and "Poetry A Creed" is one of his greatest works. It is a poem that will continue to inspire and move people for generations to come.
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