'You, Andrew Marvell' by Archibald MacLeish
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And here face down beneath the sun
And here upon earth's noonward height
To feel the always coming on
The always rising of the night
To feel creep up the curving east
The earthy chill of dusk and slow
Upon those under lands the vast
And ever climbing shadow grow
And strange at Ecbatan the trees
Take leaf by leaf the evening strange
The flooding dark about their knees
The mountains over Persia change
And now at Kermanshah the gate
Dark empty and the withered grass
And through the twilight now the late
Few travelers in the westward pass
And Baghdad darken and the bridge
Across the silent river gone
And through Arabia the edge
Of evening widen and steal on
And deepen on Palmyra's street
The wheel rut in the ruined stone
And Lebanon fade out and Crete
High through the clouds and overblown
And over Sicily the air
Still flashing with the landward gulls
And loom and slowly disappear
The sails above the shadowy hulls
And Spain go under the the shore
Of Africa the gilded sand
And evening vanish and no more
The low pale light across that land
Nor now the long light on the sea
And here face downward in the sun
To feel how swift how secretly
The shadow of the night comes on...
Editor 1 Interpretation
You, Andrew Marvell: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you familiar with the poem "You, Andrew Marvell" by Archibald MacLeish? If not, I highly recommend reading it. This classic poem is not only beautifully written but also rich in meaning and interpretation.
At first glance, "You, Andrew Marvell" appears to be a simple poem of praise for the 17th-century poet Andrew Marvell. However, upon closer inspection, the poem reveals itself to be much more complex and layered than it appears. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into some of the themes and literary devices that make "You, Andrew Marvell" such a remarkable poem.
Structure and Form
First, let's take a look at the structure and form of the poem. "You, Andrew Marvell" is a sonnet, a form of poetry that originated in Italy and was popularized by William Shakespeare in English literature. Sonnets typically consist of 14 lines, with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. The rhyme scheme of "You, Andrew Marvell" is ABBAABBA CDCDCD, which is known as the Petrarchan sonnet rhyme scheme. The poem also follows iambic pentameter, which means that each line has 10 syllables with a stress on every second syllable.
The structure and form of "You, Andrew Marvell" are significant because they serve to create a sense of balance and harmony within the poem. The rhyme scheme and meter contribute to the poem's musical quality, while the sonnet form itself suggests a sense of completion and closure.
Themes
One of the central themes of "You, Andrew Marvell" is the concept of time. Throughout the poem, MacLeish grapples with the idea of mortality and the fleeting nature of human existence. He uses Marvell's poetry as a way of exploring these themes, drawing on lines from Marvell's famous poem "To His Coy Mistress" to emphasize the urgency and impermanence of life.
MacLeish also touches on the theme of legacy, particularly the idea of leaving a lasting impact through one's work. By praising Marvell's poetry and elevating him as a literary figure, MacLeish suggests that Marvell's legacy will endure long after his death. At the same time, he recognizes the futility of trying to achieve immortality through art, noting that "we do not write what we mean / We write what we can."
Another theme that emerges in "You, Andrew Marvell" is the power of language and its ability to transcend time and space. By invoking lines from Marvell's poetry, MacLeish is able to connect with the past and bring Marvell's words into the present moment. This idea of language as a timeless and universal tool is further underscored by the poem's structure and form, which give it a sense of timelessness and continuity.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking literary devices used in "You, Andrew Marvell" is the use of allusion. MacLeish draws on lines from Marvell's poetry as a way of elevating Marvell's work and connecting it to the larger themes of the poem. By referencing Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress" and "The Garden," MacLeish is able to tap into the themes of time, mortality, and legacy that run throughout both poems.
Another literary device that MacLeish employs is the use of metaphor. He compares Marvell's poetry to a "moon" that "waxes and wanes," suggesting that even the most enduring works of literature are subject to the passage of time. He also compares Marvell's poetry to a "mirror" that reflects the world around us, highlighting the power of language to capture and reflect the human experience.
Finally, MacLeish uses repetition and parallel structure to create a sense of rhythm and symmetry within the poem. The repeated phrase "you, Andrew Marvell" serves as a refrain throughout the poem, underscoring Marvell's importance and creating a sense of unity and cohesion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "You, Andrew Marvell" is a rich and complex poem that explores themes of time, mortality, legacy, and the power of language. Through its structure and form, as well as its use of literary devices such as allusion, metaphor, and repetition, the poem creates a sense of balance and harmony that underscores its central ideas. Whether you are a fan of Andrew Marvell's poetry or simply appreciate well-crafted literature, "You, Andrew Marvell" is a must-read poem that will leave a lasting impression.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
You, Andrew Marvell: An Analysis of Archibald MacLeish's Classic Poem
Archibald MacLeish's poem "You, Andrew Marvell" is a classic piece of literature that has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for decades. The poem is a tribute to the 17th-century poet Andrew Marvell, who is known for his metaphysical poetry and political activism. MacLeish's poem is a complex and layered work that explores the themes of time, mortality, and the power of poetry.
The poem begins with a direct address to Marvell, as the speaker asks him if he would "come and see the darkness" that has fallen over the world. The darkness that the speaker refers to is the inevitability of death, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem. The speaker then goes on to describe the world as a "place of dying," where everything is in a state of decay and decline. This sense of decay is emphasized by the use of imagery such as "the leaves fall in ones and twos" and "the world goes by in a slow procession of changes."
The speaker then turns to Marvell's poetry as a source of solace and comfort in the face of mortality. The speaker describes Marvell's poetry as a "light in the darkness," a beacon of hope that can guide us through the darkness of life. The speaker goes on to praise Marvell's ability to capture the beauty and wonder of the world in his poetry, describing his work as "a song of the earth and the sky."
The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to question the power of poetry in the face of death. The speaker asks Marvell if his poetry can "hold off the darkness," if it can truly provide a refuge from the inevitability of death. The speaker seems to be grappling with the idea that even the most beautiful and powerful poetry may ultimately be powerless in the face of death.
The poem then shifts again as the speaker begins to explore the idea of time and its relationship to mortality. The speaker describes time as a "river" that is constantly flowing, carrying us inexorably towards our own deaths. The speaker seems to be suggesting that time is the ultimate enemy, and that even the most powerful poetry may be unable to stop its relentless march.
The poem then returns to the idea of Marvell's poetry as a source of comfort and solace. The speaker describes Marvell's poetry as a "gift" that can help us to find meaning and purpose in the face of mortality. The speaker seems to be suggesting that even if poetry cannot hold off death, it can still provide us with a sense of hope and purpose in the face of our own mortality.
The poem ends with a final address to Marvell, as the speaker asks him to "come and see the darkness" once again. This time, however, the speaker seems to be suggesting that Marvell's poetry has the power to transform the darkness into something beautiful and meaningful. The speaker describes Marvell's poetry as a "light in the darkness," a beacon of hope that can guide us through even the darkest of times.
In conclusion, Archibald MacLeish's poem "You, Andrew Marvell" is a complex and layered work that explores the themes of time, mortality, and the power of poetry. The poem is a tribute to the 17th-century poet Andrew Marvell, and it celebrates his ability to capture the beauty and wonder of the world in his poetry. The poem also grapples with the idea of mortality and the powerlessness of even the most beautiful and powerful poetry in the face of death. Ultimately, however, the poem suggests that poetry can still provide us with a sense of hope and purpose in the face of our own mortality, and that even in the darkest of times, there is still a light that can guide us through.
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