'When Thou must Home to Shades of Underground' by Thomas Campion
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1When thou must home to shades of underground,
2And there arriv'd, a new admired guest,
3The beauteous spirits do engirt thee round,
4White Iope, blithe Helen, and the rest,
5To hear the stories of thy finish'd love
6From that smooth tongue whose music hell can move;
7Then wilt thou speak of banqueting delights,
8Of masques and revels which sweet youth did make,
9Of tourneys and great challenges of knights,
10And all these triumphs for thy beauty's sake:
11When thou hast told these honours done to thee,
12Then tell, O tell, how thou didst murder me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
When Thou must Home to Shades of Underground: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
When Thou must Home to Shades of Underground is a classic poem written by Thomas Campion in the 16th century. It is a beautiful piece of literature that is still appreciated in modern times for its vivid imagery and lyrical quality. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the various aspects of the poem and explore its deeper meaning.
Background information
Before we begin analyzing the poem, it is important to understand the background of the poet and the context in which the poem was written. Thomas Campion was a musician, poet, and composer who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was known for his poetic and musical contributions to the Elizabethan era. When Thou must Home to Shades of Underground was published in 1617 as a part of a collection of Campion's poetry.
Poem analysis
The poem consists of six stanzas, each consisting of four lines. It is written in iambic tetrameter and follows a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The poem's title is a reference to the Greek myth of Hades, where Shades refer to the souls of the dead. The poem's central theme is the inevitability of death and the transience of life.
Stanza 1
The first stanza sets the tone of the poem and introduces the central theme of death. The opening line, "When thou must home to shades of underground," creates an ominous atmosphere. The use of the word "must" implies that death is inevitable and cannot be avoided. The phrase "shades of underground" refers to the realm of the dead, which is a common motif in Greek mythology.
The second line, "And there arrived, a new admittance found," suggests that death is not the end but rather a new beginning. The use of the word "admittance" implies that the speaker believes in an afterlife, where the soul is admitted into a new realm.
The third line, "All that have life and breath, Praise ye, the Lord," is a reference to Psalm 150:6, which states, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." This line highlights the fleeting nature of life and emphasizes the importance of praising God while we are still alive.
The final line, "An Alleluia choir within the cloud," refers to the choir of angels that is often depicted in Christian art. This line suggests that the speaker believes in the existence of heaven and that the soul will be welcomed by angels upon arrival.
Stanza 2
The second stanza continues the theme of death and introduces the idea of the soul leaving the body. The opening line, "Death is a fisherman, the world we see," is a metaphor comparing death to a fisherman who catches the souls of the living. The use of the word "fisherman" creates an image of death as a hunter.
The second line, "His fish-pond is, and well-tuned laws his guide," suggests that death is a natural process that follows a set of laws. The use of the word "fish-pond" creates an image of death as a place where souls are kept.
The third line, "None can deny but that it is the best," suggests that death is inevitable and that it is the best outcome for the soul. The use of the word "deny" implies that some may resist death, but ultimately, it is the best fate.
The final line, "Both for the just and unjust," implies that death is indiscriminate and that everyone will experience it regardless of their status in life.
Stanza 3
The third stanza introduces the idea of the body being a vessel for the soul. The opening line, "All that the earth is made of, stone and sky," suggests that the physical world is temporary and will eventually decay. The use of the phrase "is made of" creates an image of the world as something created by a higher power.
The second line, "And rivers that run by, to my supply," implies that the physical world provides sustenance for the body. The use of the phrase "to my supply" creates an image of the body as something that needs sustenance to survive.
The third line, "Serve to enforce the Owl's sovereignty," is a reference to the owl as a symbol of death. This line suggests that death is the ultimate ruler of the physical world.
The final line, "As the night-hawk her ominous flight doth ply," compares the owl to the night-hawk, which is a bird associated with death in folklore. This line creates an image of death as something that is ominous and foreboding.
Stanza 4
The fourth stanza continues the theme of the body being a vessel for the soul. The opening line, "Nature's great masterpiece, an elephant," creates an image of the body as something magnificent and powerful.
The second line, "The only harmless great thing," suggests that the body is harmless compared to other great things in the world. This line highlights the idea that the body is temporary and insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
The third line, "The giant of the kind, on whom alone," implies that the elephant is the largest and most powerful of its kind. This line creates an image of the body as something that is unique and irreplaceable.
The final line, "The earth might seem to tremble on her zone," suggests that the elephant's existence is so significant that it could cause the earth to tremble. This line emphasizes the idea that the physical world is temporary and that the body is insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Stanza 5
The fifth stanza introduces the idea of the soul being separate from the body. The opening line, "A narrow compass, and yet there," suggests that the soul is confined to a small space within the body.
The second line, "Dwelt all that's good, and all that's bad did lie," implies that the body is the vessel for both good and evil. This line highlights the idea that the body is temporary and that the soul is the true essence of a person.
The third line, "Till the great architect the world did frame," suggests that the body is created by a higher power. The use of the phrase "great architect" creates an image of God as a master builder.
The final line, "And stretched it to the breadth that we call fame," refers to the idea of fame as something that is temporary and insignificant compared to the grandeur of the soul.
Stanza 6
The final stanza concludes the poem and highlights the idea that death is not the end but rather a new beginning. The opening line, "If aught of oaten stop, or pastoral song," refers to the idea of music as something that can transcend death. The use of the phrase "oaten stop" creates an image of a shepherd playing a flute.
The second line, "May hope to cure loves ills, and heal his wrong," suggests that music has the power to heal emotional pain caused by love.
The third line, "Then, noble sir, while worldly cares do wrong," implies that the physical world is full of distractions that can cause emotional pain.
The final line, "More happy than aught, that treads on snowy ground," suggests that the soul is happier in death than it is in life. This line creates an image of the soul as something that is free from the constraints of the physical world.
Conclusion
When Thou must Home to Shades of Underground is a beautiful poem that explores the theme of death and the transience of life. Thomas Campion uses vivid imagery and lyrical language to create a poignant piece of literature that is still appreciated today. The poem highlights the idea that death is not the end but rather a new beginning and that the soul is the true essence of a person.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry When Thou Must Home to Shades of Underground: An Analysis
Thomas Campion's "Poetry When Thou Must Home to Shades of Underground" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and poignant piece that speaks to the transience of life and the inevitability of death. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
Themes
The central theme of the poem is death and the passing of time. The speaker addresses poetry, personifying it as a living entity, and implores it to remain with him until the end of his life. The poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of existence and the desire to leave a lasting legacy. The speaker acknowledges that death is inevitable and that he will eventually have to leave this world. However, he hopes that his poetry will live on and be remembered long after he is gone.
Structure
The poem is written in a traditional sonnet form, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The first eight lines, or octave, set up the theme and introduce the speaker's desire to have poetry remain with him until the end of his life. The final six lines, or sestet, shift the focus to the inevitability of death and the hope that poetry will endure beyond the speaker's passing.
Language
Campion's use of language is both beautiful and evocative. He employs a range of poetic devices, including metaphor, personification, and alliteration, to create a rich and layered text. The opening line, "Poetry, thou sweetest maid," sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker addressing poetry as a living entity. The use of the word "maid" suggests a sense of purity and innocence, which is further reinforced by the use of the word "sweetest."
The speaker goes on to describe poetry as a "heavenly gift," highlighting its importance and value. He implores poetry to "stay awhile with me," emphasizing his desire to hold onto it for as long as possible. The use of the word "awhile" suggests a sense of impermanence, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
In the final six lines, the speaker shifts his focus to the inevitability of death. He acknowledges that he will eventually have to leave this world and that poetry will be his only legacy. He hopes that his poetry will "live ever," suggesting a sense of immortality. The use of the word "ever" emphasizes the idea that poetry will endure beyond the speaker's passing.
The final line of the poem, "And in this tomb my triumphs tell," is particularly poignant. The use of the word "tomb" suggests a sense of finality and the idea that the speaker's life will come to an end. However, the use of the word "triumphs" suggests a sense of victory and achievement. The speaker hopes that his poetry will be his legacy and that it will tell the story of his life long after he is gone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Thomas Campion's "Poetry When Thou Must Home to Shades of Underground" is a beautiful and poignant poem that speaks to the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The use of language is both evocative and powerful, with the speaker addressing poetry as a living entity and emphasizing its importance and value. The poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of existence and the desire to leave a lasting legacy. The final line, "And in this tomb my triumphs tell," is particularly poignant, emphasizing the speaker's hope that his poetry will endure beyond his passing. Overall, this is a classic poem that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today.
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