'Meg Merrilies' by John Keats
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Old Meg she was a Gipsy,
And liv'd upon the Moors:
Her bed it was the brown heath turf,
And her house was out of doors.
Her apples were swart blackberries,
Her currants pods o' broom;
Her wine was dew of the wild white rose,
Her book a churchyard tomb.
Her Brothers were the craggy hills,
Her Sisters larchen trees--
Alone with her great family
She liv'd as she did please.
No breakfast had she many a morn,
No dinner many a noon,
And 'stead of supper she would stare
Full hard against the Moon.
But every morn of woodbine fresh
She made her garlanding,
And every night the dark glen Yew
She wove, and she would sing.
And with her fingers old and brown
She plaited Mats o' Rushes,
And gave them to the Cottagers
She met among the Bushes.
Old Meg was brave as Margaret Queen
And tall as Amazon:
An old red blanket cloak she wore;
A chip hat had she on.
God rest her aged bones somewhere--
She died full long agone!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Meg Merrilies by John Keats: A Literary Criticism
John Keats, one of the most celebrated poets of the Romantic era, was known for his vivid imagination, evocative language, and sensuous descriptions. His works often explored the themes of love, nature, and mortality, and his poetry continues to inspire and captivate readers today.
"Meg Merrilies" is one of Keats' lesser-known poems, but it is no less impressive in its imagery and emotional power. The poem tells the story of a gypsy woman named Meg Merrilies, who is portrayed as a wild and mysterious figure, almost supernatural in her otherworldly qualities. Through this character, Keats explores the themes of fate, mortality, and the power of the natural world.
Interpretation of the Poem
The poem opens with a description of the natural world, setting the scene for the mysterious figure of Meg Merrilies:
"Old Meg she was a Gipsy,
And liv'd upon the Moors:
Her bed it was the brown heath turf,
And her house was out of doors."
This opening stanza immediately immerses the reader in the wild and untamed world of the moors, where Meg Merrilies roams free and untethered. The use of the word "Gipsy" evokes a sense of otherness and outsider status, hinting at Meg's unconventional and perhaps even dangerous nature.
As the poem unfolds, it becomes clear that Meg is not just a typical gypsy woman, but a figure of great power and mystery. She is described as having the ability to "witch" the moon, "to make it wax or wane," and as having "charm'd magic casements" with her spells. These supernatural qualities add to the sense of awe and wonder that surrounds Meg Merrilies, making her an almost mythical figure in the poem.
Despite her power and otherworldliness, however, Meg is also portrayed as being subject to the same forces of fate and mortality as the rest of us. The third stanza of the poem describes her as "wrinkled, and wan, and blind," with "the death-watch tick[ing] in her wall." This image of Meg as an aging and vulnerable figure adds a layer of pathos to the poem, reminding us that even those who seem to possess great power are ultimately subject to the same forces of decay and death.
The final stanza of the poem brings together these various themes in a powerful and evocative way. The speaker describes Meg Merrilies as standing "at the door of her own romance," her power and mystery still intact even in old age. The final lines of the poem, which describe Meg "sinking down to rest / Like one that ne'er will wake again," are both haunting and beautiful, evoking a sense of the cyclical nature of life and death.
Critical Analysis of the Poem
"Meg Merrilies" is a poem that is rich in symbolism and imagery, drawing heavily on the natural world to create a sense of awe and wonder. The moors, which are the setting for the poem, are described in vivid detail, with Keats using language that is both sensual and evocative.
For example, in the first stanza of the poem, Keats describes the moors as "the brown heath turf," evoking a sense of the rough, wild terrain that Meg Merrilies calls home. Later in the poem, he describes the "wind-bow'd heath" and the "trembling moon" to convey a sense of the elemental forces at work in the natural world.
At the same time, however, Keats also uses Meg Merrilies as a symbol of the power and mystery of nature itself. Meg is described as being able to "witch" the moon and control the tides, hinting at her ability to harness the forces of nature for her own purposes. This use of a supernatural character to represent the power of nature is a common theme in Romantic literature, and one that Keats employs to great effect in "Meg Merrilies."
Another notable feature of the poem is the way in which Keats uses language to create a sense of mystery and ambiguity around Meg Merrilies. Despite her supernatural abilities and great power, the poem never fully explains who she is or what she represents. Instead, she remains a tantalizingly mysterious figure, leaving the reader to wonder about her true nature and motivations.
This ambiguity is heightened by the way in which Keats uses language to describe Meg Merrilies. He often employs metaphors and similes that are surreal and dreamlike, such as when he describes her as having a "wild and glossy eye / Like some bold seer in a trance." This use of language creates a sense of unreality and strangeness that adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue surrounding Meg Merrilies.
Finally, it is worth noting the way in which Keats uses Meg Merrilies to explore themes of fate, mortality, and the cyclical nature of life. Despite her great power and otherworldly qualities, Meg is still subject to the same forces of decay and death as the rest of us. This adds a layer of pathos to the poem, reminding us that even those who seem to possess great power are ultimately subject to the same forces of fate and mortality as the rest of us.
Conclusion
"Meg Merrilies" is a poem that is rich in symbolism and imagery, drawing heavily on the natural world to create a sense of awe and wonder. Through the character of Meg Merrilies, Keats explores themes of fate, mortality, and the power of the natural world, using language that is both sensual and evocative.
While the poem is not as well-known as some of Keats' other works, it is no less impressive in its emotional power and vivid descriptions. Through the use of surreal language and vivid imagery, Keats creates a sense of mystery and intrigue around Meg Merrilies, leaving the reader to wonder about her true nature and motivations.
Overall, "Meg Merrilies" is a poem that is both haunting and beautiful, evoking a sense of the cyclical nature of life and the power of the natural world. It is a testament to Keats' skill as a poet, and a reminder of his continuing relevance and power as a literary figure.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Meg Merrilies: A Poem of Mystery and Magic
John Keats is one of the most celebrated poets of the Romantic era, and his works continue to captivate readers with their vivid imagery, emotional depth, and lyrical beauty. Among his many masterpieces, Meg Merrilies stands out as a haunting and enigmatic poem that explores the themes of nature, folklore, and the supernatural. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, and unravel its mysteries and secrets.
The poem Meg Merrilies was written by Keats in 1818, and was inspired by a character from Sir Walter Scott's novel Guy Mannering. Meg Merrilies is a gypsy woman who lives in the Scottish moors, and is known for her prophetic powers, wild nature, and mysterious aura. Keats was fascinated by the character of Meg, and saw in her a symbol of the untamed and primal forces of nature, as well as a representation of the marginalized and oppressed people of his time.
The poem begins with a vivid description of the setting, which is the Scottish moors at night. Keats uses rich and evocative language to create a sense of mystery and foreboding, as well as to convey the beauty and power of nature. He describes the moon as "a ghostly queen" who "rides among her starry fays", and the wind as "a wild harp-string" that "sings a dirge to the dying year". These images create a sense of magic and wonder, as well as a sense of melancholy and sadness.
The next stanza introduces the character of Meg Merrilies, who is described as a "witch" and a "sibyl". Keats uses these terms to suggest that Meg is a figure of supernatural power and wisdom, as well as a symbol of the ancient and pagan traditions that were suppressed by Christianity. He also portrays Meg as a rebel and an outsider, who defies the norms and values of society. This is evident in the lines "She was wild and bold, / Her eyes were like the eyes of wolves, / As bright and as yellow as gold".
The third stanza is perhaps the most famous and powerful of the poem, as it contains Meg's prophetic speech. Meg predicts that the "great folks" who live in the castles and mansions will soon fall from their high position, and that the "poor folk" who live in the huts and cottages will rise up and take their place. She also warns that the "red cock" will crow three times, which is a reference to the biblical story of Peter's denial of Jesus. This speech is a powerful critique of the social and political order of Keats's time, and a call for justice and equality.
The fourth stanza returns to the description of the natural setting, and emphasizes the contrast between the wild and untamed moors and the civilized and artificial world of the castles and mansions. Keats uses the image of the "hollow oak" to suggest that the ancient and natural world is still present and alive, despite the attempts of humans to control and dominate it. He also uses the image of the "dying year" to suggest that the old order is coming to an end, and that a new era is about to begin.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, and emphasizes the theme of transience and mortality. Keats uses the image of the "wan moon" to suggest that everything in life is subject to change and decay, and that even the most powerful and beautiful things will eventually fade away. He also uses the image of the "dying embers" to suggest that the fire of life is slowly burning out, and that death is inevitable. However, he also suggests that there is a kind of beauty and dignity in this process, as it is a natural and necessary part of the cycle of life.
In conclusion, Meg Merrilies is a poem of mystery and magic, which explores the themes of nature, folklore, and the supernatural. Keats uses vivid and evocative language to create a sense of wonder and awe, as well as to convey his critique of the social and political order of his time. He portrays Meg Merrilies as a symbol of the untamed and primal forces of nature, as well as a representation of the marginalized and oppressed people of his time. The poem is a powerful reminder of the beauty and power of nature, as well as a call for justice and equality.
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