'Contemplation Of The Sword' by Robinson Jeffers

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Reason will not decide at last; the sword will decide.
The sword: an obsolete instrument of bronze or steel,
formerly used to kill men, but here
In the sense of a symbol. The sword: that is: the storms
and counter-storms of general destruction; killing
of men,
Destruction of all goods and materials; massacre, more or
less intentional, of children and women;
Destruction poured down from wings, the air made accomplice,
the innocent air
Perverted into assasin and poisoner.

The sword: that is: treachery and cowardice, incredible
baseness, incredible courage, loyalties, insanities.
The sword: weeping and despair, mass-enslavement,
mass-tourture, frustration of all hopes
That starred man's forhead. Tyranny for freedom, horror for
happiness, famine for bread, carrion for children.
Reason will not decide at last, the sword will decide.

Dear God, who are the whole splendor of things and the sacred
stars, but also the cruelty and greed, the treacheries
And vileness, insanities and filth and anguish: now that this
thing comes near us again I am finding it hard
To praise you with a whole heart.
I know what pain is, but pain can shine. I know what death is,
I have sometimes
Longed for it. But cruelty and slavery and degredation,
pestilence, filth, the pitifulness
Of men like hurt little birds and animals . . . if you were
only
Waves beating rock, the wind and the iron-cored earth,
With what a heart I could praise your beauty.
You will not repent, nor cancel life, nor free man from anguish
For many ages to come. You are the one that tortures himself to
discover himself: I am
One that watches you and discovers you, and praises you in little
parables, idyl or tragedy, beautiful
Intolerable God.
The sword: that is:
I have two sons whom I love. They are twins, they were born
in nineteen sixteen, which seemed to us a dark year
Of a great war, and they are now of the age
That war prefers. The first-born is like his mother, he is so
beautiful
That persons I hardly know have stopped me on the street to
speak of the grave beauty of the boy's face.
The second-born has strength for his beauty; when he strips
for swimming the hero shoulders and wrestler loins
Make him seem clothed. The sword: that is: loathsome disfigurements,
blindness, mutilation, locked lips of boys
Too proud to scream.
Reason will not decide at last: the sword will decide.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Contemplation Of The Sword by Robinson Jeffers

Are you ready to dive into the world of Robinson Jeffers and experience the power and beauty of his poetry? If so, let's embark on an exciting journey of literary criticism and interpretation of one of his most famous works - Contemplation Of The Sword.

First, let's set the stage for our exploration. Robinson Jeffers was an American poet, born in 1887, who became known for his unconventional and often controversial views on nature, humanity, and civilization. He rejected traditional religious and political beliefs and instead embraced a philosophy he called "inhumanism," which emphasized the importance of nature and the individual over society and civilization.

Now, let's turn our attention to the poem itself. Contemplation Of The Sword is a short, 12-line poem that packs a powerful punch. It is written in free verse, with no rhyme or meter, but its language and imagery are striking and intense.

The title of the poem immediately grabs our attention and sets the stage for what is to come. "Contemplation" suggests a deep, reflective state of mind, while "sword" evokes images of violence, warfare, and death. We are already on edge, wondering what this poem will reveal to us.

The first line of the poem, "In the mind of the serpent," immediately creates a sense of danger and unease. The serpent is a symbol of cunning and deceit, and its mind is not a place we want to enter. But the poet does not shy away from this place of darkness and instead dives right in.

The second line, "Scythe-blade, reptilian," continues the theme of danger and death. The scythe-blade is a symbol of the Grim Reaper, while the adjective "reptilian" suggests a cold, calculating, and ruthless nature. We are left with the impression of a deadly weapon in the hands of a cunning and ruthless enemy.

The third line, "Who are you in the tall grass," shifts our attention to the speaker of the poem. We are now in the mind of the person who is contemplating the sword. The question "who are you" suggests a sense of self-doubt and confusion. The speaker is not sure of their identity or purpose.

The fourth line, "Armed with the soft singsong," introduces a new element - the power of language. The phrase "soft singsong" suggests a hypnotic and seductive quality. The speaker is armed with words that can lull their enemies into a false sense of security.

The fifth line, "Whose youth is renewed like the eagle's," shifts our attention to the power of youth and vitality. The eagle is a symbol of strength and freedom, and its renewed youth suggests a sense of resilience and endurance. The speaker is not just armed with words but also with the power of youth and vitality.

The sixth line, "Who hears his youth's tale told," suggests a sense of nostalgia and reflection. The speaker is not just living in the present but also reflecting on their past. They are listening to the story of their youth being told to them.

The seventh line, "Who hears his love's tale told," continues the theme of reflection and nostalgia. The speaker is now listening to the story of their love being told. This suggests a sense of longing and loss, as if the speaker is reminiscing about a love that is no longer present.

The eighth line, "Who is shadowed under the hood," introduces a new element - the shadow. The hood is a symbol of darkness and mystery, while the shadow suggests a sense of secrecy and hiddenness. The speaker is not fully revealed but is hidden under the hood and shadow.

The ninth line, "Who hides her face by the veil," shifts our attention to the feminine. The veil is a symbol of modesty and concealment, while the feminine suggests a sense of vulnerability and fragility. The speaker is not just hidden under the hood and shadow but also by the veil.

The tenth line, "Who comes forth crowned with the form of the bright-haired, the white-armed," introduces a new element - the crown. The form of the bright-haired and white-armed suggests a sense of beauty and radiance. The speaker is not just hidden but also crowned with beauty and radiance.

The eleventh line, "Who carries in her hand the bronze knife," shifts our attention back to the danger and violence of the sword. The bronze knife is a symbol of sharpness and precision, while the hand suggests a sense of control and power. The speaker is not just beautiful and radiant but also dangerous and powerful.

The final line, "Slenderly drawn, the crouch-necked, the sly," brings us full circle back to the serpent. The slenderly drawn suggests a sense of stealth and agility, while the crouch-necked and sly suggest a sense of cunning and deceit. The speaker is now revealed as a serpent-like figure, armed with words and weapons, and ready to strike.

So, what can we make of all this? What is the poet trying to say? There are many possible interpretations, but here are a few that stand out:

The poem is a meditation on power and identity. The speaker is exploring their own identity and power, as well as the power of language and weapons. The serpent is a symbol of the speaker's own cunning and deceit, while the sword is a symbol of their physical power.
The poem is a critique of civilization and its reliance on violence and deception. The speaker is questioning the values and ideals of a society that glorifies violence and deception. The serpent and the sword are both symbols of this violence and deception.
The poem is a celebration of nature and its power. The eagle and the serpent are both symbols of nature, while the sword and the language are symbols of civilization. The speaker is suggesting that nature is more powerful and enduring than civilization.

Overall, Contemplation Of The Sword is a powerful and evocative poem that invites us to reflect on our own identities, values, and beliefs. It is a poem that challenges us to think deeply about the nature of power and the role of violence and deception in our lives. It is a poem that reminds us of the beauty and danger of language and the power of nature to both create and destroy.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Contemplation Of The Sword: A Masterpiece of Robinson Jeffers

Robinson Jeffers, the renowned American poet, was a master of the craft of poetry. His works are known for their vivid imagery, powerful language, and philosophical depth. One of his most celebrated poems is Contemplation Of The Sword, a haunting and evocative piece that explores the nature of violence and the human condition.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which offers a unique perspective on the sword. The first part describes the sword as a symbol of power and destruction. Jeffers writes, "The sword: an obsolete instrument of bronze or steel, formerly used to kill men, but here and counter-strike the enemy's sword-arm, has assumed the role of a symbol of power and destruction."

This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Jeffers uses the sword as a metaphor for the destructive power of humanity. He suggests that the sword is no longer a physical weapon, but rather a symbol of the violence that humans are capable of inflicting upon one another.

In the second part of the poem, Jeffers explores the idea that the sword is a tool of fate. He writes, "The sword is the axis of the world and the human race, the perfect symbol of division and decision." Here, Jeffers suggests that the sword is not just a symbol of violence, but also a symbol of the choices that humans make. The sword represents the power to make decisions that can change the course of history.

Jeffers goes on to describe the sword as a tool of fate, suggesting that it is an instrument that can bring about both good and evil. He writes, "It is the surgeon's knife, the means of salvation or destruction, the emblem of courage or cowardice, the sword is all these things and more."

The final part of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Jeffers describes the sword as a symbol of the human condition, writing, "The sword is the human condition, the symbol of our mortality, the emblem of our courage and our fear."

Here, Jeffers suggests that the sword is not just a symbol of violence and power, but also a symbol of the human experience. The sword represents the struggle between life and death, the courage and fear that we all face in our lives.

Overall, Contemplation Of The Sword is a masterpiece of poetry. Jeffers uses the sword as a powerful metaphor to explore the nature of violence, fate, and the human condition. His language is vivid and evocative, and his ideas are profound and thought-provoking.

The poem is a reminder that the choices we make as humans have the power to shape our world, for better or for worse. It is a call to action, urging us to use our power wisely and to strive for a better future.

In conclusion, Contemplation Of The Sword is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry, philosophy, or the human condition. It is a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and enlighten.

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