'What Is Life?' by John Clare
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And what is Life? An hour-glass on the run,
A mist retreating from the morning sun,
A busy, bustling, still-repeated dream.
Its length? A minute's pause, a moment's thought.
And Happiness? A bubble on the stream,
That in the act of seizing shrinks to nought.
And what is Hope? The puffing gale of morn,
That of its charms divests the dewy lawn,
And robs each flow'ret of its gem—and dies;
A cobweb, hiding disappointment's thorn,
Which stings more keenly through the thin disguise.
And what is Death? Is still the cause unfound?
That dark mysterious name of horrid sound?
A long and lingering sleep the weary crave.
And Peace? Where can its happiness abound?
Nowhere at all, save heaven and the grave.
Then what is Life? When stripped of its disguise,
A thing to be desired it cannot be;
Since everything that meets our foolish eyes
Gives proof sufficient of its vanity.
'Tis but a trial all must undergo,
To teach unthankful mortals how to prize
That happiness vain man's denied to know,
Until he's called to claim it in the skies.
Editor 1 Interpretation
What is Life? A Deep Dive Into John Clare's Poem
What is life? A question that has been asked by philosophers and poets for centuries. It is a question that has no easy answer, but one that is explored in depth in John Clare's poem, "What Is Life?" In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive deep into the themes and symbolism present in this classic poem.
Who is John Clare?
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to talk about its author, John Clare. Clare was an English poet and writer who was born in 1793 and lived until 1864. He was born into a poor family and worked as a farm laborer for much of his life. Despite his humble beginnings, Clare was an incredibly talented poet whose work was praised by his contemporaries, including William Wordsworth.
Clare's poetry often focused on the natural world and rural life, reflecting his own experiences growing up in the countryside. His work was known for its beautiful imagery and vivid descriptions, as well as its focus on the lives of ordinary people.
The Structure of the Poem
"What Is Life?" is a six-stanza poem, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, with a consistent iambic tetrameter meter throughout. This creates a steady, almost hypnotic rhythm that draws the reader in and carries them along throughout the poem.
The poem begins with a series of questions about life, asking what it is and what it means. From there, it moves on to explore the idea of happiness and whether or not it can be found in this life. Finally, the poem concludes with a meditation on death and the afterlife.
Analysis of the Poem
Let's take a closer look at each stanza of the poem and explore its themes and symbolism.
Stanza 1
Oh what is life? – a dream! A fleeting hour of sunny joy, Flowers that die when frosty winds blow, A morning's dew, a summer's cloud.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece, as the speaker asks the central question, "What is life?" The answer that is given is that life is a dream, a fleeting moment of happiness that is quickly gone. The imagery of the stanza reinforces this idea, with flowers that die when the weather turns cold, and morning dew that disappears as the sun rises.
The theme of impermanence is central to this stanza, as the speaker suggests that the joys of life are temporary and fleeting. This idea is reinforced by the use of the simile "a summer's cloud," which suggests something that is beautiful but quickly passes away.
Stanza 2
And what is man? – a hope Blown by the winds of circumstance, A creature of an hour's duration, And doomed to mournful end.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus from life itself to humanity, asking what man is. The answer that is given is that man is a hope, something that is easily blown away by the winds of circumstance. The theme of impermanence is continued in this stanza, as the speaker suggests that human life is short and ultimately ends in sadness.
The use of the word "doomed" in the last line reinforces this idea, suggesting that death is an inevitability that cannot be avoided. The alliteration of "mournful end" also adds to the sense of sadness and finality.
Stanza 3
What's friendship but a name, A charm that lulls to sleep, A shade that follows wealth or fame, And leaves the wretch to weep.
The third stanza of the poem explores the idea of friendship and asks what it means. The answer that is given is that friendship is just a name, a charm that can lull someone to sleep but ultimately offers no real comfort. The imagery of a shade that follows wealth or fame adds to the idea of friendship as something fleeting and insubstantial.
The use of the word "wretch" in the last line also suggests a sense of hopelessness and despair, as the speaker implies that those who are not wealthy or famous are doomed to be left alone and unhappy.
Stanza 4
And love – what is it then? It is a rainbow's lovely form Whose hu'ds are bright – but hueless all, And smiles away the storm.
The fourth stanza of the poem explores the theme of love and asks what it means. The answer that is given is that love is like a rainbow, something that is beautiful but ultimately insubstantial. The use of the word "hueless" suggests that love is not something that can be grasped or understood fully.
However, the last line of the stanza suggests that love can provide comfort and happiness in the midst of difficult times. The idea of love as a source of strength in times of trouble is a common theme in literature and is explored in depth in this stanza.
Stanza 5
'Tis like the sunbeam's glorious light, That sheds its lustre pure and bright, And warms each cold inconstant heart, But will not be retain'd nor caught.
The fifth stanza of the poem continues to explore the theme of love and compares it to the light of the sun. The use of the word "glorious" suggests that love is something that is truly beautiful and awe-inspiring, like the light of the sun.
However, the last line of the stanza suggests that love is something that cannot be held onto or captured. This reinforces the idea of love as something fleeting and impermanent, like the other joys of life that have been explored in previous stanzas.
Stanza 6
And life is like the winter's frost That freezes hearts and sears the coast, And yet no winter can remove The glitt'ring prize of virtuous love.
The final stanza of the poem explores the theme of death and the afterlife. The imagery of the winter's frost suggests something cold and unyielding, something that can freeze hearts and destroy everything in its path.
However, the last two lines of the stanza suggest that love is something that can survive even in the face of death. The idea of virtuous love as a "glitt'ring prize" suggests that it is something worth striving for, even in the face of life's impermanence and ultimate end.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Clare's poem "What Is Life?" explores some of the deepest questions of human existence. Through its vivid imagery and beautifully crafted language, the poem suggests that life is something fleeting and impermanent, but that love and virtue can provide comfort and hope even in the face of death.
The poem's themes of impermanence, friendship, love, and death are timeless and continue to resonate with readers today. Clare's work is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the human experience and to provide comfort and insight to those who read it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
What Is Life? A Poem by John Clare
John Clare, the English poet, wrote the poem "What Is Life?" in the early 19th century. The poem is a reflection on the nature of life and the human experience. It is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that has stood the test of time.
The poem begins with a question: "What is life?" This is a question that has puzzled humans for centuries. Clare goes on to describe life as a "strange and varied dream." He compares life to a "fleeting shadow" that disappears as quickly as it appears. This imagery is powerful and evocative, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
Clare then goes on to describe the different aspects of life. He talks about the joys and sorrows that we experience, the beauty of nature, and the passing of time. He describes life as a "mixture of pleasure and pain," and he acknowledges that we must experience both in order to truly appreciate the beauty of life.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Clare's use of imagery. He describes life as a "stream that flows forever," and he compares it to a "flower that blooms and fades." These images are both beautiful and poignant, and they help to convey the fleeting nature of life.
Clare also touches on the theme of mortality in the poem. He acknowledges that life is short and that we must make the most of the time that we have. He writes, "Life is a journey that must be run, / And death a goal that must be won." This line is a reminder that we must live our lives to the fullest, as we never know when our time will come.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of the human experience. Clare talks about the joys and sorrows that we experience, and he acknowledges that we are all connected by our shared experiences. He writes, "All men alike are doomed to find / The fleeting pleasures leave behind." This line is a reminder that we are all in this together, and that we must support each other through the ups and downs of life.
Overall, "What Is Life?" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of life and the human experience. Clare's use of imagery is powerful and evocative, and his themes are timeless and universal. This poem is a reminder that life is short, and that we must make the most of the time that we have. It is a call to live our lives to the fullest, to appreciate the beauty of nature, and to support each other through the joys and sorrows of life.
In conclusion, John Clare's "What Is Life?" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that explores the nature of life and the human experience. Clare's use of imagery is powerful and evocative, and his themes are timeless and universal. This poem is a reminder that life is short, and that we must make the most of the time that we have. It is a call to live our lives to the fullest, to appreciate the beauty of nature, and to support each other through the joys and sorrows of life.
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