'Poet And Peer' by Robert Service
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
They asked the Bard of Ayr to dine;
The banquet hall was fit and fine,
With gracing it a Lord;
The poet came; his face was grim
To find the place reserved for him
Was at the butler's board.
So when the gentry called him in,
He entered with a knavish grin
And sipped a glass of wine;
But when they asked would he recite
Something of late he'd chanced to write
He ettled to decline.
Then with a sly, sardonic look
He opened up a little book
Containing many a gem;
And as they sat in raiment fine,
So smug and soused with rosy wine,
This verse he read to them.
'You see yon birkie caw'ed a Lord,
Who struts and stares an' a' that,
Though hundreds worship at his word
He's but a coof for a' that.
For a' that and a' that,
A man's a man for a' that.
He pointed at that portly Grace
Who glared with apoplectic face,
While others stared with gloom;
Then having paid them all he owed,
Burns, Bard of Homespun, smiled and strode
Superbly from the room.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Poet and Peer" by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire
Robert Service was a master of irony and satire, and his poem "Poet and Peer" is a prime example of his skills. Published in 1910, the poem tells the story of a poet and a peer who both seek the admiration of society, but in very different ways. The poet wants to be loved for his art, while the peer wants to be admired for his wealth and status. Through a series of cleverly crafted stanzas, Service exposes the hypocrisy of both characters and comments on the nature of fame and fortune.
The Poet: A Victim of Society's Shallow Values
Service's poem begins by introducing the poet as a man who "dreams his song, then writes it down" (1). This line immediately sets the tone for the entire piece, as it emphasizes the importance of creativity and imagination. The poet is not just someone who writes words on a page; he is a dreamer who turns his thoughts into art. However, despite his talent, the poet is unappreciated by society, which values wealth and status above all else:
He seeks no meed from you or me,
To him the applause of the heart is due;
He asketh not for a golden fee,
Or the laurel wreath of the great and true. (5-8)
Here, Service contrasts the poet's pure motives with the shallow values of society. The poet does not seek money or fame; he is content with the "applause of the heart." However, this kind of appreciation is not enough for society, which demands that he conform to its standards:
He sings a song that is brave and gay,
Yet ever with sorrow is threaded through;
It tells of tears that are wiped away,
And the brighter hope that shines anew. (9-12)
These lines highlight the beauty of the poet's work, as well as its depth. The poem is not just about surface-level happiness, but about the struggle that underlies it. However, society is blind to this message, and instead focuses on the more superficial aspects of the work:
But none would cry o'er his funeral bier,
Or sigh when they heard his sweet voice mute;
For the world would say: 'He was poor, I fear,
And his rhymes were lacking in modern root.' (21-24)
In this stanza, Service exposes the heartlessness of society, which judges the poet not by the quality of his work, but by his financial status and adherence to current trends. The irony here is that the poet, who represents creativity and individuality, is rejected by the very culture that claims to value these things.
The Peer: A Symbol of Shallow Materialism
If the poet represents creativity and imagination, the peer represents the opposite: materialism and conformity. Service's description of the peer is full of satire and irony, as he skewers the peer's shallow values and hypocrisy:
He spends his days in a selfish ease,
In pleasure and sport and wine and food;
His soul has never a want or need,
Save the pampered flesh and the cloyed blood. (25-28)
These lines paint a vivid picture of the peer's life, which is all about pleasure and consumption. The repetition of "and" in line 27 emphasizes the excess and indulgence that define his existence. However, despite his wealth and status, the peer is not content:
He longs for fame, for a noble name,
For a place in the highest ranks of men;
He craves for power, for wealth and fame,
And he'll buy them all with his gold, and then- (29-32)
Here, Service exposes the peer's true motives, which are not about creativity or self-expression, but about the accumulation of more wealth and power. The repetition of "for" in lines 29 and 31 emphasizes the peer's insatiable desire for more. However, despite his efforts to buy his way into society's highest ranks, the peer is ultimately a shallow and unfulfilled person:
When he dies they'll say: 'What a great career!
He was a man of the world, in very truth.'
But they'll draw the moral sage and clear:
'What a pity he hadn't a heart or youth!' (37-40)
These lines are perhaps the most ironic and satirical in the entire poem. Despite the peer's efforts to gain fame and recognition, his legacy will ultimately be one of shallowness and emptiness. The "moral sage and clear" that society draws from his life is that he lacked the very qualities that make life worth living: "a heart or youth."
Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale About Society's Values
Through his portrayal of the poet and the peer, Robert Service exposes the hypocrisy and shallowness of society's values. The poet, who represents creativity and individuality, is rejected by society for his lack of wealth and adherence to current trends. The peer, on the other hand, who embodies materialism and conformity, is ultimately unfulfilled despite his wealth and status. The irony here is that both characters are seeking the same thing- admiration and recognition- but in very different ways.
The poem's message is a cautionary one, warning us to be wary of the values that society promotes. It suggests that true fulfillment and happiness come not from wealth or fame, but from creativity, imagination, and the pursuit of one's passions. In this sense, "Poet and Peer" is not just a commentary on the society of its time, but a timeless reminder of the importance of individuality and authenticity in our lives.
As a literary work, "Poet and Peer" is a masterpiece of irony and satire. Service's use of language and repetition emphasize the contrast between the characters and their values, and his commentary on society is both biting and insightful. The poem's message is not just an important one, but a relevant one, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
So, in conclusion, "Poet and Peer" is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the nature of fame, fortune, and society's values. It is a timeless work that continues to speak to us today, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry to challenge, inspire, and enlighten.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions, thoughts, and ideas in a creative and artistic way. Robert Service, a renowned poet, has contributed significantly to the world of literature with his exceptional works. One of his most famous poems, "Poet and Peer," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the relationship between a poet and a nobleman. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and overall significance.
The poem "Poet and Peer" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a poet who meets a peer, a nobleman, in a tavern. The poet is poor and struggling, while the peer is wealthy and influential. The two strike up a conversation, and the peer asks the poet to recite a poem. The poet obliges and recites a beautiful poem that impresses the peer. The peer then offers the poet a sum of money for the poem, but the poet refuses, stating that his poetry is not for sale. The peer is taken aback by the poet's response and leaves the tavern, leaving the poet to ponder the nature of art and its value.
The poem explores several themes, including the relationship between art and money, the value of creativity, and the power dynamics between the rich and the poor. The poet represents the struggling artist who creates art for the sake of art, while the peer represents the wealthy patron who seeks to buy and own art. The poem highlights the tension between these two perspectives and questions the true value of art.
Service uses several literary devices to convey the themes of the poem. The most prominent literary device used in the poem is imagery. Service paints vivid pictures with his words, describing the setting, the characters, and their actions in great detail. For example, he describes the poet as "threadbare as a moth," emphasizing his poverty and struggles. He also describes the peer as "a lordly man with a smile," highlighting his wealth and power. The use of imagery helps to create a clear picture in the reader's mind and adds depth to the poem.
Another literary device used in the poem is symbolism. The poet's refusal to sell his poem symbolizes his dedication to his art and his belief that art should not be commodified. The peer's offer to buy the poem symbolizes the commodification of art and the belief that everything has a price. The use of symbolism adds layers of meaning to the poem and helps to convey its themes in a more nuanced way.
Service also uses rhyme and meter to create a musical quality to the poem. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The use of rhyme and meter helps to create a rhythm to the poem, making it easier to read and adding to its overall beauty.
The significance of the poem lies in its exploration of the relationship between art and money. Service questions the true value of art and whether it can be bought and sold like any other commodity. He also highlights the power dynamics between the rich and the poor and how wealth can influence the perception of art. The poem encourages readers to think critically about the nature of art and its value in society.
In conclusion, "Poet and Peer" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the relationship between art and money. Service uses vivid imagery, symbolism, rhyme, and meter to convey the themes of the poem and create a beautiful and thought-provoking work of art. The poem encourages readers to think critically about the true value of art and its place in society. It is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today and will continue to do so for generations to come.
Editor Recommended Sites
Jupyter Cloud: Jupyter cloud hosting solutions form python, LLM and ML notebooksNFT Datasets: Crypto NFT datasets for sale
Single Pane of Glass: Centralized management of multi cloud resources and infrastructure software
Visual Novels: AI generated visual novels with LLMs for the text and latent generative models for the images
Knowledge Graph Consulting: Consulting in DFW for Knowledge graphs, taxonomy and reasoning systems
Recommended Similar Analysis
Peace by Sarah Teasdale analysisMad Girl's Love Song by Sylvia Plath analysis
He fumbles at your Soul by Emily Dickinson analysis
Happiness by Carl Sandburg analysis
Meeting At Night by Robert Browning analysis
Epitaphium Erotii by Robert Louis Stevenson analysis
Buffalo Bill's... (XXI) by e.e. cummings analysis
Old Cumberland Beggar, The by William Wordsworth analysis
THE DIRGE OF JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER:SUNG BY THE VIRGINS by Robert Herrick analysis
Poem (O Solo Mio) by Frank O'Hara analysis