'Regret' by Robert Service
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It's not for laws I've broken
That bitter tears I've wept,
But solemn vows I've spoken
And promises unkept;
It's not for sins committed
My heart is full of rue,
but gentle acts omitted,
Kind deeds I did not do.
I have outlived the blindness,
The selfishness of youth;
The canker of unkindness,
The cruelty of truth;
The searing hurt of rudeness . . .
By mercies great and small,
I've come to reckon goodness
The greatest gift of all.
Let us be helpful ever
to those who are in need,
And each new day endeavour
To do some gentle deed;
For faults beyond our grieving,
What kindliness atone;
On earth by love achieving
A Heaven of our own.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Regret" by Robert Service: A Deep Dive into the Human Psyche
Oh, Regret! What a powerful emotion! It has the power to haunt us, to make us question every decision we've ever made, to make us wish for a time machine that could transport us back to the past and allow us to make different choices. Robert Service, the Canadian poet, captures the essence of this emotion in his poem "Regret," a poignant and deeply introspective piece of writing that delves into the psyche of a man who is grappling with the choices he's made in his life.
The Structure of the Poem
At first glance, "Regret" seems like a simple poem - it consists of four stanzas, each of which is composed of four lines. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that there is a lot more going on beneath the surface. For one thing, the first two stanzas are written in the past tense, while the last two are in the present tense. This shift in tense is significant because it suggests that the speaker is reflecting on his past choices from a place of regret, but is now stuck in the present, unable to change anything.
The rhyme scheme of the poem is also worth noting. The first and third lines of each stanza rhyme, as do the second and fourth. This creates a sense of symmetry and orderliness that is juxtaposed with the chaos and turmoil of the speaker's emotions. There is also a certain musicality to the poem that is enhanced by the use of repetition and alliteration. For example, the phrase "I rue" is repeated twice in the first stanza, while the phrase "I bide" is repeated twice in the third stanza. These repetitions create a sense of rhythm that adds to the overall effect of the poem.
The Speaker's Regret
As we read the poem, we realize that the speaker is consumed by regret. He looks back on his life and sees all the missed opportunities, all the roads not taken. He "rues" the fact that he didn't "take the chances" that life presented him with, and he wonders what might have been if he had made different choices. He is haunted by the thought that he "might have been rich beyond the dreaming" if he had only been more daring and more willing to take risks.
What is interesting about the speaker's regret is that it is not focused on any specific event or decision. He doesn't mention a particular job he should have taken, or a particular person he should have married. Instead, his regret seems to stem from a general sense of dissatisfaction with his life. He feels like he has somehow missed out on something, like there was a path he should have taken but didn't.
The Themes of the Poem
One of the main themes of "Regret" is the passage of time. The speaker looks back on his life and sees how quickly it has flown by. He realizes that he is now "an old man" and that his opportunities for change are limited. This sense of time slipping away creates a sense of urgency in the poem - the speaker knows that he can't turn back the clock, but he still feels like he needs to make some sort of change before it's too late.
Another theme of the poem is the power of regret itself. The speaker is consumed by his regret, and it seems to have a hold on him that he can't shake off. He is stuck in a cycle of wishing things had been different, but not knowing how to change them. The poem suggests that regret can be a powerful force in our lives, one that can drive us to make changes, but also one that can paralyze us if we're not careful.
The Poem's Relevance Today
"Regret" was written in 1907, but its message is still relevant today. In our fast-paced, modern world, it's easy to feel like we're always behind, always playing catch-up. We're bombarded with messages that tell us to seize the day, to take risks, to live every moment to the fullest. But what if we don't? What if we look back on our lives and see all the things we could have done differently? What if we're consumed by regret?
The message of "Regret" is that it's never too late to make a change. The speaker may be an old man, but he still feels like he has the power to do something different with his life. The poem suggests that we should never give up on ourselves, that we should always be willing to take risks and make changes, no matter how old we are.
Conclusion
"Regret" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human experience of regret. Robert Service's use of language and structure creates a sense of urgency and introspection that draws the reader in. The poem's themes of time, regret, and the power of choice are still relevant today, and its message of never giving up on ourselves is one that we should all take to heart.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Regret by Robert Service is a classic poem that explores the theme of lost opportunities and the pain of regret. The poem is a poignant reminder of the importance of seizing the moment and living life to the fullest. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning of the poem and explore the literary devices used by the poet to convey his message.
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem and introduces the theme of regret. The speaker laments the missed opportunities of his youth, saying, "I could have been a millionaire, but I chose to be a vagabond." The use of the word "could" suggests that the speaker had the potential to achieve great things, but he failed to capitalize on his opportunities. The word "chose" implies that the speaker made a conscious decision to live a life of wandering and adventure, but now he regrets his choice.
The second stanza continues the theme of regret and highlights the speaker's sense of loss. He says, "I could have been a lover, but I chose to be a friend." The use of the word "lover" suggests that the speaker had the chance to experience deep romantic love, but he settled for a platonic relationship. The word "friend" implies that the speaker values companionship and loyalty, but he now realizes that he missed out on something more profound. The repetition of the phrase "I could have" emphasizes the speaker's sense of missed opportunities and lost potential.
The third stanza shifts the focus of the poem from regret to acceptance. The speaker acknowledges that he cannot change the past and must live with the consequences of his choices. He says, "I cannot go back now, the clock will not rewind." The use of the word "cannot" suggests that the speaker has come to terms with his situation and accepts that he cannot change the past. The metaphor of the clock emphasizes the irreversibility of time and the finality of the speaker's choices.
The final stanza concludes the poem with a message of hope and redemption. The speaker says, "But I can make the most of what is left, and live my life in kind." The use of the word "most" suggests that the speaker still has some opportunities to seize and some potential to fulfill. The phrase "live my life in kind" implies that the speaker intends to live a life of kindness and generosity, making the most of the time he has left. The final line of the poem, "And sweep the shadows from my mind," suggests that the speaker is determined to overcome his regrets and find peace and happiness in the present.
The poem is rich in literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. The use of repetition, for example, emphasizes the speaker's sense of missed opportunities and lost potential. The repetition of the phrase "I could have" in the second stanza emphasizes the speaker's sense of regret and highlights the contrast between what he could have had and what he settled for. The repetition of the word "cannot" in the third stanza emphasizes the finality of the speaker's situation and his acceptance of his fate.
The use of metaphor is another literary device that enriches the poem. The metaphor of the clock in the third stanza emphasizes the irreversibility of time and the finality of the speaker's choices. The metaphor of the shadows in the final line of the poem suggests that the speaker's regrets have cast a dark cloud over his mind, but he is determined to sweep them away and find peace.
The poem's structure and rhyme scheme also contribute to its impact. The ABAB rhyme scheme gives the poem a musical quality that enhances its emotional impact. The four-line stanzas create a sense of symmetry and balance that reflects the speaker's desire for order and harmony in his life.
In conclusion, Regret by Robert Service is a classic poem that explores the theme of lost opportunities and the pain of regret. The poem is a poignant reminder of the importance of seizing the moment and living life to the fullest. The use of literary devices such as repetition, metaphor, and rhyme scheme enhances the poem's meaning and impact. The poem's message of hope and redemption is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to make the most of what is left and find peace and happiness in the present.
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