'Belshazzar had a Letter—' by Emily Dickinson
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Belshazzar had a Letter—
He never had but one—
Belshazzar's Correspondent
Concluded and begun
In that immortal Copy
The Conscience of us all
Can read without its Glasses
On Revelation's Wall—
Edited by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Belshazzar had a Letter: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Emily Dickinson is one of the most famous American poets of the 19th century, known for her unconventional style and unique perspective on life and death. Her poem, "Belshazzar had a Letter," is a haunting portrayal of a biblical story that has captured the imagination of poets and writers for centuries. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem and explore its relevance for contemporary readers.
Summary
"Belshazzar had a Letter" is a short poem that tells the story of Belshazzar, the king of Babylon, who receives a letter from an unknown source warning him of his impending doom. The poem begins with the lines, "Belshazzar had a letter- / He never had but one-" which immediately creates a sense of urgency and mystery. The letter warns Belshazzar that his kingdom will fall and his reign will come to an end. Despite the warning, Belshazzar continues to feast and drink, ignoring the impending doom that awaits him.
The second stanza of the poem describes the scene in the banquet hall where Belshazzar and his guests are feasting. The language Dickinson uses is vivid and sensory, with descriptions of "Wine in the flagons, and meat in the dishes" and the "clashing of cymbals and the clatter of dishes." The contrast between the opulence of the feast and the ominous warning of the letter is stark and unsettling.
The final stanza of the poem describes the moment when Belshazzar finally realizes the truth of the letter's warning. The poem ends with the haunting line, "The hand that wrote it has been / Dead many years ago."
Themes
One of the main themes of "Belshazzar had a Letter" is the idea of hubris and its inevitable downfall. Belshazzar is a powerful king who believes himself to be invincible, but the letter he receives is a reminder that even the most powerful rulers are not immune to death and destruction. The poem can be seen as a warning against the dangers of pride and arrogance, and a reminder that all things must come to an end.
Another theme of the poem is the inevitability of death. The poem describes Belshazzar's fate in vivid detail, with the warning of his impending doom looming over the entire narrative. The final line of the poem, "The hand that wrote it has been / Dead many years ago," is a reminder that death is an inescapable part of life, and that even those who seem invincible will eventually succumb to it.
Imagery
One of the most striking features of "Belshazzar had a Letter" is its use of vivid and sensory imagery to create a sense of foreboding and unease. The descriptions of the feast in the second stanza are particularly effective in creating a contrast between the opulence of the banquet hall and the ominous warning of the letter. The "clashing of cymbals and the clatter of dishes" creates a sense of chaos and excess, which is sharply contrasted with the warning of doom that Belshazzar receives.
The use of the phrase "Belshazzar had a letter-" is also notable for its brevity and ambiguity. The fact that we never learn who sent the letter or what it actually says creates a sense of mystery and intrigue that adds to the overall impact of the poem.
Language
Emily Dickinson's use of language in "Belshazzar had a Letter" is both simple and profound. The poem is composed of short, simple lines that create a sense of urgency and immediacy. The repetition of the phrase "Belshazzar had a letter-" is particularly effective in creating a sense of rhythm and momentum that carries the poem forward.
The use of metaphor and symbolism is also notable in the poem. The letter that Belshazzar receives can be seen as a symbol of his own mortality, and the fact that it warns of his impending doom is a reminder that death is an ever-present threat. The feast in the banquet hall can be seen as a metaphor for the excess and indulgence that can distract us from the inevitability of death.
Conclusion
"Belshazzar had a Letter" is a haunting and powerful poem that explores themes of hubris, mortality, and the inevitability of death. Emily Dickinson's use of vivid imagery, simple language, and metaphorical symbolism create a sense of foreboding and unease that is both timeless and deeply relevant to contemporary readers.
Although the poem is nearly 150 years old, its message remains as relevant as ever. In a world that is often characterized by excess, pride, and arrogance, "Belshazzar had a Letter" is a reminder that all things must come to an end, and that even the most powerful rulers are not immune to death and destruction.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Belshazzar had a Letter is a classic poem written by Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets in American literature. The poem is a powerful and evocative work that explores themes of mortality, power, and the fleeting nature of life. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with the line "Belshazzar had a letter," immediately drawing the reader into the story. Belshazzar was a Babylonian king who ruled from 539-530 BCE, and the poem is likely inspired by the biblical story of Belshazzar's feast, in which he saw a mysterious hand writing on the wall. The poem, however, takes a different approach to the story, focusing on the letter that Belshazzar receives.
The letter is described as "a message from his father's seal," suggesting that it is a message from beyond the grave. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is concerned with mortality and the inevitability of death. The letter warns Belshazzar that his time is running out, and that he must prepare for his own death.
The poem then shifts to a more philosophical tone, with Dickinson exploring the nature of power and the fleeting nature of life. She writes, "Power is only pain, / Stranded, through discipline, / Till weights will hang." This suggests that power is a burden, and that those who hold it are weighed down by its responsibilities. The line "Till weights will hang" suggests that eventually, the weight of power will become too much to bear, and those who hold it will be brought down.
The poem then returns to the theme of mortality, with Dickinson writing, "Men write on nature's head / Eternal laws." This line suggests that humans have a desire for immortality, and that we try to achieve it by writing laws and creating structures that will outlast us. However, the poem suggests that this is a futile endeavor, as everything is ultimately temporary and subject to change.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, with Dickinson writing, "The lips that taste of dust / Shall be forsworn." This line suggests that even the most powerful and influential people will eventually die and be forgotten. The phrase "lips that taste of dust" is a powerful image, evoking the idea of death and decay. The word "forsworn" suggests that even those who are remembered will eventually be forgotten, as their memory fades with time.
Overall, Belshazzar had a Letter is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of mortality, power, and the fleeting nature of life. Dickinson's use of language is particularly striking, with powerful imagery and metaphors that bring the poem to life. The poem is a reminder that no matter how powerful or influential we may be, we are all subject to the same fate, and that ultimately, everything is temporary.
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