'A Welsh Testament' by R.S. Thomas
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All right, I was Welsh. Does it matter?
I spoke a tongue that was passed on
To me in the place I happened to be,
A place huddled between grey walls
Of cloud for at least half the year.
My word for heaven was not yours.
The word for hell had a sharp edge
Put on it by the hand of the wind
Honing, honing with a shrill sound
Day and night. Nothing that Glyn Dwr
Knew was armour against the rain's
Missiles. What was descent from him?
Even God had a Welsh name:
He spoke to him in the old language;
He was to have a peculiar care
For the Welsh people. History showed us
He was too big to be nailed to the wall
Of a stone chapel, yet still we crammed him
Between the boards of a black book.
Yet men sought us despite this.
My high cheek-bones, my length of skull
Drew them as to a rare portrait
By a dead master. I saw them stare
From their long cars, as I passed knee-deep
In ewes and wethers. I saw them stand
By the thorn hedges, watching me string
The far flocks on a shrill whistle.
And always there was their eyes; strong
Pressure on me: You are Welsh, they said;
Speak to us so; keep your fields free
Of the smell of petrol, the loud roar
Of hot tractors; we must have peace
And quietness.
Is a museum
Peace? I asked. Am I the keeper
Of the heart's relics, blowing the dust
In my own eyes? I am a man;
I never wanted the drab role
Life assigned me, an actor playing
To the past's audience upon a stage
Of earth and stone; the absurd label
Of birth, of race hanging askew
About my shoulders. I was in prison
Until you came; your voice was a key
Turning in the enormous lock
Of hopelessness. Did the door open
To let me out or yourselves in?
Submitted by Andrew Mayers
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Welsh Testament: A Deep and Compelling Exploration of Identity and Spirituality
As a literary critic, I must say that A Welsh Testament by R.S. Thomas is one of the most captivating and thought-provoking poems I have ever read. This poem is a perfect example of how poetry can be used to explore complex and abstract concepts such as identity, spirituality, and the human condition. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the themes, symbols, and techniques used by Thomas to convey his message in A Welsh Testament.
Background Information
Before we jump into the analysis, let us first take a moment to understand the context in which the poem was written. R.S. Thomas was a Welsh poet and Anglican priest who lived from 1913 to 2000. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century and his works often deal with the themes of nature, spirituality, and Welsh identity.
A Welsh Testament was written in 1962 and is one of Thomas's most famous poems. It is a long and complex poem, consisting of 11 stanzas and 66 lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no discernible rhyme scheme or meter. However, the lack of formal structure in the poem does not diminish its power, but rather enhances it, allowing the poem to flow freely and expressively.
Themes
The main themes of A Welsh Testament are identity, spirituality, and the human condition. Throughout the poem, Thomas explores what it means to be Welsh, to be human, and to search for meaning in a world that often seems meaningless. The poem is divided into three distinct sections, each of which explores these themes in a different way.
Section 1: Welsh Identity
The first section of the poem deals with Welsh identity. Thomas begins by describing the Welsh landscape, with its mountains, rivers, and valleys. He then goes on to describe the Welsh people, who are "a people of small hill farms / In a land of grey and green." (lines 4-5)
Thomas presents a picture of a people who are deeply connected to their land and their history. He describes the Welsh language as "a code / Of the marrow in the bone" (lines 18-19), suggesting that it is an integral part of the Welsh identity. However, Thomas also recognizes the challenges of maintaining a distinct Welsh identity in a world that is becoming increasingly globalized. He writes, "Foreigners came and saw; / They failed to connect us with the land" (lines 22-23).
Section 2: Spirituality
The second section of the poem deals with spirituality. Thomas begins by describing a church in Wales, which is "black / With years of darkness" (lines 28-29). He then goes on to describe the people who attend the church, who are "a congregation of the dead" (line 31)
Thomas's language here is powerful and evocative, suggesting a sense of spiritual decay and emptiness. However, he also suggests that there is hope for spiritual renewal. He writes, "But they are not dead, / The dead nor the living" (lines 33-34). This suggests that there is a deeper spiritual reality that transcends life and death.
Section 3: The Human Condition
The third section of the poem deals with the human condition. Thomas begins by describing the "world of flesh and bone" (line 36), which is full of pain and suffering. He then goes on to suggest that there is a deeper reality beyond the physical world, which can provide meaning and purpose.
Thomas writes, "There is a kingdom of the spirit / There is a kingdom of the flesh" (lines 41-42). This suggests that there are two distinct realms of existence, one spiritual and one physical. Thomas suggests that the physical world is transient and fleeting, but that the spiritual world is eternal and unchanging.
Symbols
Throughout A Welsh Testament, Thomas uses a variety of symbols to convey his message. One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the Welsh landscape. Thomas describes the mountains, rivers, and valleys of Wales in great detail, suggesting that they are a symbol of the Welsh identity. The landscape is also a symbol of the spiritual reality that exists beyond the physical world.
The church is another powerful symbol in the poem. Thomas describes the church as "black / With years of darkness" (lines 28-29), suggesting a sense of spiritual decay and emptiness. However, he also suggests that there is hope for spiritual renewal.
The third symbol in the poem is the human body. Thomas describes the "world of flesh and bone" (line 36), which is full of pain and suffering. However, he also suggests that there is a deeper reality beyond the physical world, which can provide meaning and purpose.
Techniques
The techniques used by Thomas in A Welsh Testament are varied and complex. One of the most powerful techniques is the use of imagery. Thomas's descriptions of the Welsh landscape, the church, and the human body are vivid and evocative. They create a powerful sense of atmosphere and mood, which helps to convey the themes of the poem.
Another technique used by Thomas is the use of repetition. Throughout the poem, he repeats certain phrases and words, such as "black," "dead," and "kingdom." This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, which helps to drive the poem forward.
Finally, Thomas uses enjambment to great effect in A Welsh Testament. The lack of punctuation and the free-flowing structure of the poem allow the ideas to flow one into the other, creating a sense of fluidity and openness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A Welsh Testament by R.S. Thomas is a deeply moving and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of identity, spirituality, and the human condition. Thomas's use of imagery, repetition, and enjambment creates a powerful sense of atmosphere and mood, which helps to convey his message. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to explore complex and abstract concepts, and it is a testament to the power of the Welsh identity and the Welsh language.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Welsh Testament: A Poem of Identity and Loss
R.S. Thomas’ “A Welsh Testament” is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of identity, loss, and the struggle to find meaning in a rapidly changing world. Written in 1954, the poem is a testament to the poet’s deep connection to his Welsh heritage and his sense of loss as he witnesses the erosion of traditional Welsh culture and language.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the poet’s relationship with his Welsh identity. The first stanza is a lament for the loss of the Welsh language, which the poet sees as a symbol of the erosion of Welsh culture and identity. The second stanza is a meditation on the landscape of Wales, which the poet sees as a source of spiritual and emotional sustenance. The final stanza is a reflection on the poet’s own mortality and the legacy he will leave behind.
The first stanza of the poem is a powerful expression of the poet’s sense of loss and despair at the erosion of Welsh language and culture. The opening lines, “I cannot remember / When I was not / A little Welsh-speaking child,” establish the poet’s deep connection to the Welsh language and his sense of loss at its decline. The repetition of the word “not” emphasizes the poet’s inability to imagine a time when he did not speak Welsh, underscoring the centrality of the language to his identity.
The second half of the stanza is a lament for the decline of Welsh language and culture. The lines “But I am a man now / As I have always been / Of a tribe with its own gods, / Priests, and fabled history” express the poet’s sense of belonging to a distinct cultural and linguistic community, one that is threatened by the forces of modernity and globalization. The use of the word “tribe” emphasizes the poet’s sense of belonging to a community that is bound together by shared history, language, and culture.
The second stanza of the poem is a meditation on the landscape of Wales and its importance to the poet’s sense of identity. The opening lines, “The hills are too green / And sweet to have tasted salt” express the poet’s sense of the purity and innocence of the Welsh landscape, which is untouched by the corruption and decay of the modern world. The use of the word “sweet” emphasizes the poet’s emotional connection to the landscape, which he sees as a source of spiritual and emotional sustenance.
The second half of the stanza is a reflection on the power of the Welsh landscape to inspire and uplift the human spirit. The lines “They have given me peace / And a sonnet to sing / Cleanly and without artifice / On the high ridge overlooking my birthplace” express the poet’s sense of the landscape as a source of artistic inspiration and spiritual renewal. The use of the word “sonnet” emphasizes the poet’s sense of the landscape as a source of poetic inspiration, while the phrase “cleanly and without artifice” underscores the purity and authenticity of the poet’s emotional response to the landscape.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the poet’s own mortality and the legacy he will leave behind. The opening lines, “If I should ever / Be a stranger / In Wales, let them / Welsh the language” express the poet’s sense of the importance of Welsh language and culture to his sense of identity and his desire to preserve it for future generations. The use of the word “Welsh” as a verb emphasizes the poet’s sense of the active role that language and culture play in shaping identity and community.
The second half of the stanza is a reflection on the poet’s own legacy and the impact he will have on future generations. The lines “If my heirs / Should forget my face / Let them breathe quietly / The air of the centuries that I have served” express the poet’s sense of the importance of continuity and tradition in shaping identity and culture. The use of the phrase “the air of the centuries” emphasizes the poet’s sense of the enduring power of tradition and the importance of preserving it for future generations.
In conclusion, “A Welsh Testament” is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of identity, loss, and the struggle to find meaning in a rapidly changing world. Through its exploration of Welsh language, culture, and landscape, the poem expresses the poet’s deep connection to his Welsh heritage and his sense of loss as he witnesses its decline. At the same time, the poem is a testament to the enduring power of tradition and the importance of preserving it for future generations.
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