'Put up my lute!' by Emily Dickinson
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Put up my lute!
What of—my Music!
Since the sole ear I cared to charm—
Passive—as Granite—laps My Music—
Sobbing—will suit—as well as psalm!
Would but the "Memnon" of the Desert—
Teach me the strain
That vanquished Him—
When He—surrendered to the Sunrise—
Maybe—that—would awaken—them!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Put up my lute! by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, and her poem "Put up my lute!" is an excellent example of her mastery of language and poetic form. This classic poem is a soaring meditation on the power of music, the fleeting nature of beauty, and the joys and sorrows of life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of "Put up my lute!" and examine how Dickinson uses these elements to create a profound and timeless work of poetry.
Overview and Analysis
"Put up my lute!" is a short, three-stanza poem that begins with a request: "Put up my lute!" The speaker then goes on to reflect on the fleeting nature of beauty and the impermanence of life, using music as a metaphor for the joys and sorrows of living. The poem is divided into three stanzas of equal length, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB, with the first and second lines of each stanza rhyming with each other, and the third and fourth lines rhyming with each other.
Stanza 1
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the work. The speaker begins by asking someone to "Put up [her] lute!" This could be interpreted in a number of ways, but it seems likely that the speaker is asking for her musical instrument to be put away or hung up. This is significant because it suggests that the speaker has lost interest in music or perhaps even lost the ability to play. It also sets up the metaphor that will be developed throughout the rest of the poem: music as a symbol of life.
The second half of the stanza introduces the idea of beauty as something that is fleeting, using the metaphor of a "drop of dew upon the grass" to represent the transience of life. This is a classic theme in poetry, and Dickinson handles it with her usual deftness, using simple language and imagery to convey a deep and powerful idea.
Stanza 2
The second stanza builds on the theme of beauty and transience, using the metaphor of music to represent the joys and sorrows of life. The speaker refers to the lute as a "silver stringed lute" and describes the music that it makes as "wild and sweet." This contrasts sharply with the first stanza, where the lute was being put away, and suggests that the speaker has now changed her mind and wants to hear music again.
However, the joy of the music is tempered by the recognition that it, too, is fleeting. The speaker describes the music as "fading on the air," and uses the image of a bird flying away to represent the transience of beauty and happiness. This is a powerful image, and it reinforces the idea that life is fleeting and that we must cherish the moments of joy that we are given.
Stanza 3
The final stanza of the poem brings together the themes of beauty, music, and transience in a powerful conclusion. The speaker refers to the lute as a "dying swan," which is a metaphor for both the transience of life and the beauty that can be found even in death. The image of the dying swan is a classic one in literature, and Dickinson uses it here to great effect, using simple language to convey a powerful idea.
The final two lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful of all. The speaker says, "The music that my lute has made / Has echoed through the world." This is a beautiful and profound statement, suggesting that even though life is fleeting and beauty is transient, the things that we create can live on long after we are gone. It is a message of hope and of the power of art to transcend the limitations of mortality.
Themes
There are several themes that run throughout "Put up my lute!" and that are central to Dickinson's work as a whole. These include:
Transience and Impermanence
One of the most important themes of the poem is the idea of transience and impermanence. The speaker is acutely aware of the fleeting nature of beauty and joy, and uses music as a metaphor for the joys and sorrows of life. The image of the "silver stringed lute" and the music that it makes are both beautiful and fleeting, and the speaker recognizes that they will soon be gone.
Beauty and Art
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of beauty and art. The speaker recognizes the power of music to inspire and move people, and suggests that even though life is fleeting, the things that we create can live on long after we are gone. This is a message of hope and of the power of art to transcend the limitations of mortality.
The Joys and Sorrows of Life
Finally, the poem explores the joys and sorrows of life, using music as a metaphor for both. The speaker recognizes that life is full of both happiness and pain, and that both are necessary for a full and rich experience of the world. The image of the dying swan is a powerful one, suggesting that even in death there is beauty to be found.
Language and Imagery
As with all of Dickinson's work, "Put up my lute!" is characterized by its simple language and powerful imagery. Dickinson was a master of using simple language to convey complex ideas, and this poem is no exception. The language is straightforward and accessible, but the ideas that it conveys are complex and profound.
The imagery in the poem is also striking, using simple images to convey powerful ideas. The image of the lute being put away, for example, is a simple one, but it serves as a powerful metaphor for the transience of life. Similarly, the image of the dying swan is a classic one, but Dickinson uses it here to great effect, using simple language to convey a powerful idea.
Conclusion
"Put up my lute!" is a classic poem that explores some of the most important themes in Dickinson's work. Through its use of powerful imagery and simple language, the poem conveys a deep and profound message about the transience of life, the power of art, and the joys and sorrows of living. As with all of Dickinson's work, the poem is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, but it is also full of complex and profound ideas that continue to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Put up my lute! Oh, what a beautiful and haunting poem by Emily Dickinson. This classic piece of literature is a perfect example of the poet's unique style and her ability to convey deep emotions through her words. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning and symbolism behind the poem and how it relates to Dickinson's life and work.
The poem begins with the line "Put up my lute!" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The word "lute" is a musical instrument that was popular during the Renaissance period, and it is often associated with love and romance. In this context, however, the lute represents something more than just a musical instrument. It is a symbol of the poet's creative spirit and her desire to express herself through her art.
The second line of the poem reads, "What of my Music!" This line is a question that the poet is asking herself. She is wondering what will happen to her music now that she has decided to put up her lute. This line is significant because it shows the poet's uncertainty about her decision. She is torn between her desire to create and her need to withdraw from the world.
The third line of the poem reads, "Since the sole ear I cared to charm, Passive as granite lies." This line is a reference to the poet's audience. She is saying that the only person she cared about impressing with her music is no longer listening. The word "passive" is significant because it suggests that the poet's audience is not just indifferent to her music, but they are also unresponsive and uninterested.
The fourth line of the poem reads, "Stamped visible with thee, Contemplative beholds." This line is a reference to the poet's muse. She is saying that her creative spirit is visible to her muse, who is watching her from a distance. The word "contemplative" is significant because it suggests that the muse is not just observing the poet, but also reflecting on her actions.
The fifth line of the poem reads, "Mellowed and faded, tinted and veined, What dost thou here, my love?" This line is a reference to the lute. The poet is asking her lute why it is still here, even though she has decided to put it up. The words "mellowed and faded, tinted and veined" are significant because they suggest that the lute has aged and lost its beauty over time.
The sixth line of the poem reads, "Hope dies, and love, and thee!" This line is a reference to the poet's emotions. She is saying that her hope, love, and creative spirit are all dying. The word "thee" is significant because it suggests that the poet's lute is a symbol of her creative spirit and her desire to express herself through her art.
The seventh and final line of the poem reads, "Silence envelopes me." This line is a reference to the poet's decision to withdraw from the world. She is saying that she has chosen to remain silent and not express herself through her art. The word "envelopes" is significant because it suggests that the poet is being surrounded by silence and that she is choosing to embrace it.
In conclusion, Put up my lute! is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the themes of creativity, love, and withdrawal. The poem is a perfect example of Emily Dickinson's unique style and her ability to convey deep emotions through her words. The lute is a symbol of the poet's creative spirit, and her decision to put it up represents her desire to withdraw from the world. The poem is a reflection of Dickinson's own struggles with creativity and her decision to remain silent and not express herself through her art. Overall, Put up my lute! is a powerful and moving piece of literature that continues to inspire readers today.
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