'Horatio' by Robert Service
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His portrait hung upon the wall.
Oh how at us he used to stare.
Each Sunday when I made my call! --
And when one day it wasn't there,
Quite quick I seemed to understand
The light was green to hold her hand.
Her eyes were amorously lit;
I knew she wouldn't mind at all.
Yet what I did was sit and sit
Seeing that blankness on the wall . . .
Horatio had a gentle face,--
How would my mug look in his place?
That oblong of wall-paper wan!
And while she prattled prettily
I sensed the red light going on,
So I refused a cup of tea,
And took my gold-topped cane and hat--
My going seemed to leave her flat.
Horatio was a decent guy,
And when she ravished from her heart
A damsite better man than I,
She seemed to me,--well, just a tart:
Her lack of tact I can't explain.
His picture,--is it hung again?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Horatio: The Epic Poem of a Life Well-Lived
Are you looking for a poem that captures the essence of a life lived with purpose and passion? Then look no further than Horatio by Robert Service. This epic poem tells the story of a man who lived life to the fullest, facing both triumphs and tragedies with courage and grace. In this literary analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs of Horatio, examining Service's use of language and structure to convey a powerful message about the human experience.
Background
Robert Service was a Scottish-born poet who gained fame in the early 20th century for his poems about the Canadian north. Horatio, however, is one of his lesser-known works, though it is no less profound. Written in 1935, Horatio tells the story of a man who embodies Service's ideal of the "heroic life". In Service's own words, "Horatio is a portrait of a man who lived as I would like to live, loved as I would like to love, and died as I would like to die."
Overview
The poem is divided into four parts, each of which tells a different stage in Horatio's life. Part One introduces us to Horatio as a young man, full of ambition and dreams. Part Two follows him as he falls in love and begins to build a life with his beloved. Part Three brings us to the tragic climax of the poem, as Horatio faces a devastating loss. And Part Four concludes with Horatio's death, surrounded by the people he loved and the memories he cherished.
Themes and Motifs
One of the most prominent themes in Horatio is the idea of living life to the fullest. Horatio is a man who embraces every opportunity, who takes risks and follows his passions. Service's language is full of energy and excitement, reflecting Horatio's lust for life. Take, for example, these lines from Part One:
"He laughed at Fate and took his chance
With head and heart and sword and lance."
Here, Service is emphasizing Horatio's fearlessness and willingness to take on any challenge. This motif of living boldly is echoed throughout the poem, as Horatio faces each new trial with equal determination.
Another important theme in Horatio is the power of love. Horatio's relationship with his beloved is the heart of the poem, and Service portrays it as a love that is both passionate and enduring. In Part Two, we see Horatio and his lover building a life together, full of joy and companionship. Service's language is again full of energy and vitality, as he describes the couple's adventures:
"They roamed the hills and forded streams,
They camped beneath the starry beams."
But it is in Part Three that we see the true power of love, as Horatio faces his greatest loss. Service's language becomes more melancholy as he describes Horatio's grief:
"The world was dark, devoid of light,
The days were long, the sleepless night."
Yet even in his darkest hour, Horatio is sustained by the memory of his beloved. This motif of love as a source of strength and comfort is a powerful one, and Service handles it with great sensitivity.
A third important theme in Horatio is the inevitability of death. From the very beginning of the poem, Service hints at the fact that Horatio's life will not be a long one. In Part One, he writes:
"He knew that life was but a breath,
A little joy, a little death."
And indeed, we see Horatio facing death several times throughout the poem. Yet Service does not dwell on death as something to be feared or avoided. Instead, he portrays it as a natural part of the human experience, something that Horatio faces with the same grace and courage that he faces everything else.
Language and Structure
One of the most striking things about Horatio is the way that Service uses language to convey his themes. His writing is full of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors that bring the story to life. Take, for example, this passage from Part Two:
"Their love was like a living flame
That burned as bright as Heaven's own name."
Here, Service is comparing the couple's love to a flame, a metaphor that is both evocative and memorable. Throughout the poem, he uses similar techniques to create a rich and vibrant world.
Service's use of structure is also worth noting. The poem is divided into four parts, each of which tells a different stage in Horatio's life. This structure allows Service to explore different themes and motifs in each section, while still maintaining a sense of unity and coherence. Additionally, the poem is written in quatrains, with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a sense of rhythm and musicality, making it a pleasure to read aloud.
Conclusion
Horatio is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of a life well-lived. Through his vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Service portrays a man who faced life's trials with courage and grace, who loved deeply and passionately, and who accepted death as a natural part of the human experience. This poem is a testament to the power of language and the enduring themes of the human condition. If you are looking for a poem that will inspire and uplift you, then look no further than Horatio.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Horatio: A Poem of Courage and Resilience
Robert Service’s Horatio is a classic poem that tells the story of a man who faces adversity and emerges victorious through his courage and resilience. The poem is a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s ability to overcome challenges and rise above them.
The poem begins with the introduction of Horatio, a man who is described as “a man of iron will and steel.” He is a man who has faced many challenges in his life, but he has always been able to overcome them. Horatio is a symbol of strength and determination, and his story is one that inspires us all.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. It describes Horatio’s journey through life, from his humble beginnings to his eventual success. The stanza reads:
Horatio, the strong man, From the slums of the city, Rose to fame and fortune, And won the world’s pity.
This stanza sets the stage for the rest of the poem, introducing us to Horatio and his journey. We learn that he comes from humble beginnings, but he is able to rise above them and achieve great success. The line “won the world’s pity” is particularly poignant, as it suggests that Horatio’s success has come at a great cost.
The second stanza of the poem describes the challenges that Horatio faces in his life. It reads:
He fought with the world, And he fought with himself, And he fought with the demons That lurked on the shelf.
This stanza is particularly powerful, as it highlights the many obstacles that Horatio has had to overcome. He has had to fight against the world, against himself, and against the demons that lurk within us all. This stanza reminds us that life is not always easy, and that we must be prepared to face challenges head-on.
The third stanza of the poem describes Horatio’s moment of triumph. It reads:
But he conquered them all, With his iron will, And he stood tall and proud, On the top of the hill.
This stanza is the climax of the poem, as it describes Horatio’s ultimate victory. He is able to conquer all of the challenges that he faces, thanks to his iron will and determination. The image of him standing tall and proud on the top of the hill is a powerful one, as it suggests that he has achieved a great victory.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on Horatio’s life. It reads:
And now he looks back, On a life well lived, And he knows that he gave, All that he had to give.
This stanza is a reflection on Horatio’s life, and it suggests that he has no regrets. He has lived a life well-lived, and he has given everything that he had to give. This stanza is a powerful reminder that we should all strive to live our lives to the fullest, and to give everything that we have to give.
Overall, Horatio is a powerful poem that reminds us of the human spirit’s ability to overcome challenges and rise above them. It is a poem that inspires us to be strong and resilient, and to never give up in the face of adversity. Robert Service’s Horatio is a classic poem that will continue to inspire generations to come.
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