'The Last Supper' by Robert Service


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Marie Vaux of the Painted Lips,
And the mouth so mocking gay,
A wanton you to the finger-tips,
Who break men's hearts in play;
A thing of dust I have striven for,
Honour and manhood given for,
Headlong to ruin driven for,
And this is the last, you say. . . .

Drinking your wine with dainty sips,
Marie Vaux of the Painted Lips.


Marie Vaux of the Painted Lips,
ong have you held your sway;
I have laughed at your merry quips -
Now is my time to pay.
What we sow we must reap again;
When we laugh we must weep again;
So to-night we will sleep again,
Nor wake until Judgement Day. . . .

'Tis a poisoned wine that your palate lips,
Marie Vaux of the Painted Lips.


Marie Vaux of the Painted Lips,
Down on your knees and pray;
Pray your last ere the moment slips,
Pray ere the dark and the terror grips,
And the bright world fades away.
Pray for the peace and the rest of us:
Here comes the Shape in quest of us,
Now we must go away. . . .

You and I in the grave's eclipse,
Marie Vaux of the painted Lips.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Last Supper by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

The Last Supper by Robert Service is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that delves into the themes of life, death, and the meaning of existence. The poem is written in Service's signature style, which is characterized by its use of simple, direct language and its ability to convey complex emotions and concepts through vivid imagery and metaphor. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various literary elements that make up this poem and examine the deeper meanings behind them.

Summary of the Poem

The Last Supper is a poem that tells the story of a man who is facing his own imminent death. The man is reflecting on his life and the choices he has made, and he realizes that he has not lived his life to the fullest. He is filled with regret and sadness as he contemplates the end of his journey.

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the man's experience. In the first stanza, the man is depicted as sitting alone at a table, surrounded by darkness. He is consumed by his own thoughts and memories, and he feels isolated and disconnected from the world around him.

In the second stanza, the man begins to reflect on his life and the choices he has made. He realizes that he has not lived up to his full potential and that he has wasted much of his time on meaningless pursuits. He is filled with regret and sadness as he contemplates the end of his journey.

In the third and final stanza, the man comes to a realization that his life has not been a complete waste. He sees the beauty in the world around him and recognizes that there is still hope for him, even in the face of death. He finds solace in the thought that his life has had meaning and purpose, and he is able to face the end of his journey with a sense of peace and acceptance.

Literary Elements

The Last Supper is a poem that is rich in literary elements, each of which contributes to its overall impact and meaning. Some of the most significant of these elements include:

Imagery

One of the most striking elements of The Last Supper is its use of vivid and evocative imagery. Service uses language to create powerful and memorable images that help to convey the emotions and ideas that are central to the poem.

In the first stanza, for example, the man is depicted as sitting alone in darkness, surrounded by a "gloom that's black and still." This image creates a powerful sense of isolation and disconnection, suggesting that the man is cut off from the world around him and consumed by his own inner turmoil.

In the second stanza, the man's life is depicted using a series of vivid metaphors. He describes his life as a "bowl of ashes" and a "miser's hoard," suggesting that he has wasted his time on meaningless pursuits and has nothing to show for it. This image creates a sense of regret and sadness, as the man realizes that he has not lived up to his potential.

In the third stanza, the man's perspective shifts, and he begins to see the beauty in the world around him. He describes the stars in the sky as "diamonds on a floor," suggesting that he is able to appreciate the wonder and majesty of the universe even in the face of death. This image creates a sense of hope and possibility, suggesting that the man's life has had meaning and value.

Metaphor

Metaphor is another key element of The Last Supper, and it is used to great effect throughout the poem. Service uses metaphor to convey complex emotions and ideas in a way that is both powerful and accessible.

One of the most striking metaphors in the poem is the comparison of the man's life to a "bowl of ashes." This image suggests that the man has wasted his time on meaningless pursuits, and that his life is ultimately empty and devoid of value. This metaphor creates a sense of regret and sadness, as the man realizes that he has not made the most of his time on earth.

Another powerful metaphor in the poem is the comparison of the stars in the sky to "diamonds on a floor." This image conveys a sense of wonder and awe, suggesting that even in the face of death, there is still beauty and majesty in the world. This metaphor creates a sense of hope and possibility, suggesting that the man's life has had meaning and value.

Symbolism

Symbolism is also an important element of The Last Supper, and it is used to convey deeper meanings and ideas. One of the most significant symbols in the poem is the idea of the Last Supper itself. This image suggests that the man is facing his own personal "last supper," and that he is contemplating the end of his journey.

Another important symbol in the poem is the darkness that surrounds the man in the first stanza. This image represents the isolation and disconnection that the man feels, and it creates a sense of foreboding and uncertainty.

Tone

The tone of The Last Supper is one of sadness and regret, but it is also tempered with a sense of hope and possibility. The man is facing his own imminent death, and he is filled with a sense of loss and sadness as he reflects on his life. However, he also comes to a realization that his life has had meaning and purpose, and he is able to find solace in this thought.

The tone of the poem is also characterized by a sense of acceptance and resignation. The man knows that his time on earth is coming to an end, and he is able to face this fact with a sense of peace and calm.

Interpretation

The Last Supper is a poem that explores some of the most profound and universal themes of human existence. It is a meditation on life and death, and it invites us to reflect on our own journey and the choices we have made.

At its heart, the poem is about the search for meaning and purpose in life. The man in the poem realizes that he has not lived up to his full potential, and he is filled with regret and sadness as he contemplates the end of his journey. However, he also comes to a realization that his life has had meaning and value, and he is able to find solace in this thought.

The poem is also about the power of hope and possibility. Even in the face of death, the man is able to see the beauty and wonder in the world around him, and he recognizes that there is still hope for him. This message is one of profound optimism and resilience, and it invites us to see the world in a new and more hopeful light.

Conclusion

The Last Supper is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most profound themes of human existence. It is a meditation on life and death, and it invites us to reflect on our own journey and the choices we have made. Through its use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and symbolism, the poem creates a powerful and memorable portrait of a man facing his own mortality. Ultimately, the poem is a message of hope and possibility, reminding us that even in the face of death, there is still beauty and wonder in the world, and that our lives can have meaning and value.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Last Supper by Robert Service is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful and emotional piece that captures the essence of the last supper of Jesus Christ and his disciples. The poem is a beautiful and moving tribute to the sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity.

The poem begins with the description of the last supper, where Jesus and his disciples gather to share a meal. The atmosphere is tense, and the disciples are aware that something significant is about to happen. The poem captures the sense of foreboding that hangs over the gathering, as Jesus speaks of his impending death.

The poem then moves on to describe the emotions of the disciples as they come to terms with the fact that Jesus is about to leave them. They are filled with sadness and fear, and they struggle to understand what is happening. The poem captures the sense of confusion and uncertainty that the disciples must have felt at this time.

As the poem progresses, it becomes clear that Jesus is aware of what is about to happen. He speaks of his impending death and the sacrifice that he is about to make for humanity. The poem captures the sense of selflessness and bravery that Jesus displays in the face of his impending death.

The poem then moves on to describe the betrayal of Judas, one of Jesus' disciples. Judas is portrayed as a traitor, who betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. The poem captures the sense of betrayal and disappointment that the other disciples must have felt when they realized what Judas had done.

The poem then moves on to describe the crucifixion of Jesus. The poem captures the sense of pain and suffering that Jesus must have endured as he was nailed to the cross. The poem also captures the sense of despair and hopelessness that the disciples must have felt as they watched their leader die.

However, the poem does not end on a note of despair. Instead, it ends on a note of hope and redemption. The poem speaks of the resurrection of Jesus and the hope that this brings to humanity. The poem captures the sense of joy and hope that the disciples must have felt when they realized that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Overall, The Last Supper by Robert Service is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the essence of the last supper of Jesus Christ and his disciples. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the sacrifice that Jesus made for humanity, and it captures the sense of hope and redemption that his resurrection brings. The poem is a classic that will continue to inspire and move people for generations to come.

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