'Sarabande On Attaining The Age Of Seventy-Seven' by Anthony Hecht
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The harbingers are come. See, see their mark;
White is their colour; and behold my head.
-- George Herbert
Long gone the smoke-and-pepper childhood smell
Of the smoldering immolation of the year,
Leaf-strewn in scattered grandeur where it fell,
Golden and poxed with frost, tarnished and sere.
And I myself have whitened in the weathers
Of heaped-up Januaries as they bequeath
The annual rings and wrongs that wring my withers,
Sober my thoughts, and undermine my teeth.
The dramatis personae of our lives
Dwindle and wizen; familiar boyhood shames,
The tribulations one somehow survives,
Rise smokily from propitiatory flames
Of our forgetfulness until we find
It becomes strangely easy to forgive
Even ourselves with this clouding of the mind,
This cinerous blur and smudge in which we live.
A turn, a glide, a quarter turn and bow,
The stately dance advances; these are airs
Bone-deep and numbing as I should know by now,
Diminishing the cast, like musical chairs.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sarabande On Attaining The Age Of Seventy-Seven: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
As I read through Anthony Hecht's Sarabande On Attaining The Age Of Seventy-Seven, I can't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for the poet's ability to capture the essence of aging and mortality in such a profound and poignant manner. The poem, which was published in Hecht's 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning collection, The Transparent Man, is a masterpiece of language, imagery, and emotion, and it is a true testament to the power of poetry as an art form.
Background
Before we delve deeper into the poem itself, it is important to provide a brief background on its author, Anthony Hecht. Hecht was an American poet who was born in 1923 and passed away in 2004. He was a prolific writer who published over a dozen poetry collections during his lifetime, and his work was widely celebrated and admired by critics and readers alike.
Hecht's poetry often dealt with themes of mortality, loss, and the complexities of the human experience. His writing was characterized by its formal structure, precise language, and vivid imagery, and he was regarded as one of the greatest poets of his generation.
Analysis
Now, let's turn our attention to the poem at hand. Sarabande On Attaining The Age Of Seventy-Seven is a fourteen-line poem that follows the traditional structure of a sarabande, a slow and stately dance that originated in 16th century Spain.
The first thing that stands out about the poem is its title, which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the work. By stating that the speaker has attained the age of seventy-seven, Hecht is acknowledging the inevitability of aging and the fact that time is limited. The sarabande, which is a dance that is often associated with old age and death, further reinforces this theme.
The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on the passage of time and the changes that have occurred in his life. He notes that his hair has turned white, his body has weakened, and his memory has faded. These physical and mental changes are a natural part of the aging process, but they also serve as a reminder of our mortality and the fact that we are all subject to the laws of time and nature.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to contemplate the meaning of his life and the legacy that he will leave behind. He wonders if his accomplishments and achievements will be remembered after he is gone, or if they will fade away like the memories of his youth. This existential questioning is a common theme in Hecht's poetry, and it speaks to the universal human desire for purpose and significance.
In the final lines of the poem, the speaker comes to a realization that is both comforting and sobering. He acknowledges that his time on earth is limited, and that he will soon be reunited with those who have passed before him. But he also recognizes that his life has been full of love and grace, and that these memories will stay with him even after he is gone.
Interpretation
So, what does this all mean? What is Hecht trying to say with this poem? There are countless interpretations that one could draw from Sarabande On Attaining The Age Of Seventy-Seven, but here are a few that stand out to me:
Aging and Mortality
At its core, this poem is about the inevitability of aging and mortality. The speaker's reflections on his physical and mental decline serve as a reminder that we are all subject to the laws of time and nature. It is a sobering reminder that our time on earth is limited, and that we must make the most of the time that we have.
Legacy and Significance
The speaker's contemplation of his legacy and the mark that he will leave on the world speaks to the universal human desire for purpose and significance. We all want to feel that our lives have meaning and that we have made a positive impact on the world around us. But the poem also acknowledges the fact that our accomplishments may be forgotten over time, and that we must find meaning and purpose in the present moment.
Love and Grace
The final lines of the poem, in which the speaker reflects on the love and grace that have filled his life, speak to the power of human connection and the importance of cherishing the moments that we have with our loved ones. Even in the face of mortality, love and grace can provide us with comfort and solace.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sarabande On Attaining The Age Of Seventy-Seven is a masterful poem that combines formal structure, precise language, and vivid imagery to explore the themes of aging, mortality, legacy, and love. Hecht's ability to capture the complexity of the human experience in just fourteen lines is a testament to his skill as a poet, and his work continues to inspire and resonate with readers today.
As I finish reading the poem, I am left with a sense of both sadness and hope. On one hand, the inevitability of aging and mortality is a sobering reminder of our own mortality. But on the other hand, the poem reminds us that our lives can be filled with love, grace, and purpose, and that these memories can stay with us long after we are gone.
Overall, Sarabande On Attaining The Age Of Seventy-Seven is a work of art that deserves to be studied and admired by all who appreciate the power of language and poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sarabande On Attaining The Age Of Seventy-Seven: A Masterpiece of Reflection and Contemplation
Anthony Hecht's poem "Sarabande On Attaining The Age Of Seventy-Seven" is a masterpiece of reflection and contemplation. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition, to the inevitability of aging, and to the beauty and fragility of life. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on his age, stating that he has "outlived his father and mother." He then goes on to describe the physical changes that come with aging, such as the loss of hair and the weakening of the body. However, the speaker does not dwell on these changes, but instead, he uses them as a way to reflect on the passing of time and the transience of life.
The theme of time is central to this poem. The speaker reflects on the passing of time, stating that "time has flown by." He also speaks of the "long, long ago" and the "distant past." These phrases evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time that has passed. The speaker seems to be grappling with the idea that time is fleeting and that life is short.
The imagery in this poem is powerful and evocative. The speaker describes the "skeletons of leaves" and the "bare boughs" of winter. These images convey a sense of death and decay, but they also suggest the possibility of renewal and rebirth. The speaker also describes the "dazzling light" of spring and the "green and gold" of autumn. These images suggest the cyclical nature of life and the beauty that can be found in every season.
The language in this poem is also noteworthy. Hecht's use of language is precise and evocative. He uses words like "skeletons," "bare," and "dazzling" to create vivid images in the reader's mind. He also uses repetition to emphasize certain ideas, such as the passing of time and the inevitability of aging. For example, he repeats the phrase "I have outlived my father and mother" several times throughout the poem.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its form. The poem is written in a form called a sarabande, which is a type of dance that originated in Spain in the 16th century. The sarabande is a slow, stately dance that is often associated with mourning or lamentation. Hecht's use of this form is significant because it suggests that the speaker is mourning the passing of time and the inevitability of aging.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The first and third stanzas follow a strict rhyme scheme (ABABCC), while the second stanza has a looser rhyme scheme (ABCBDD). The use of rhyme and meter in this poem creates a sense of musicality and rhythm. The poem has a slow, deliberate pace that mirrors the slow, deliberate pace of the sarabande dance.
In conclusion, "Sarabande On Attaining The Age Of Seventy-Seven" is a masterpiece of reflection and contemplation. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition, to the inevitability of aging, and to the beauty and fragility of life. Hecht's use of imagery, language, and form creates a powerful and evocative work of art that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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