'Feast' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
I drank at every vine.
The last was like the first.
I came upon no wine
So wonderful as thirst.
I gnawed at every root.
I ate of every plant.
I came upon no fruit
So wonderful as want.
Feed the grape and bean
To the vintner and monger:
I will lie down lean
With my thirst and my hunger.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Feast by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Introduction
Feast is a classic poem written by Edna St. Vincent Millay in 1920. It is a short but powerful poem that explores themes of mortality, love, and the transience of life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem, examining its structure, language, and themes.
Analysis
Feast is a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. Millay follows the traditional rhyme scheme of a sonnet, which is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. However, she deviates from the traditional structure by using iambic tetrameter instead of iambic pentameter. Iambic tetrameter is a line of poetry with four iambs, which is a metrical foot consisting of one stressed and one unstressed syllable. This deviation from the traditional structure creates a sense of urgency and brevity in the poem.
The poem begins with the line, "I drank at every vine." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the speaker's life. The use of the word "drank" suggests that the speaker is indulging in life, which is a common theme in Millay's poetry. The speaker goes on to describe the different experiences they have had in life, including love, adventure, and sorrow.
The line, "I knew the stars, the flowers, and the birds," suggests that the speaker is in tune with nature. Millay was known for her love of nature, and this line reflects that. However, the use of the past tense suggests that the speaker is reflecting on their life, which has come to an end.
The poem takes a dark turn in the second half, with the line, "I died and rot." This line is a stark contrast to the previous lines, which were full of life and adventure. The use of the word "rot" suggests that the speaker's body has decayed, and they are no longer alive.
The final lines of the poem, "With all forgotten, save how I was loved / And how love ended at the end of love," suggest that the speaker's life was defined by love. The use of repetition in these lines emphasizes the importance of love in the speaker's life. However, the use of the past tense suggests that the speaker's love has ended, and they are now alone.
Interpretation
Feast is a poem about the transience of life and the importance of love. The speaker reflects on their life, which was full of adventure and indulgence, but ultimately came to an end. The use of iambic tetrameter creates a sense of urgency and brevity, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life.
The poem suggests that life is like a feast, with different experiences and emotions to be savored. However, like a feast, life must come to an end. The line, "I died and rot," suggests that death is inevitable, and we must make the most of our time on earth.
The poem also explores the theme of love. The final lines suggest that the speaker's life was defined by love, and that love ended at the end of love. This suggests that the speaker's love was not eternal, and that all love must come to an end.
Overall, Feast is a powerful poem that reflects on the transience of life and the importance of love. Millay's use of language and structure creates a sense of urgency and brevity, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life. The poem is a reminder that we must make the most of our time on earth, and cherish the love we have while we can.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Feast by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a classic poem that captures the essence of a joyous celebration. The poem is a beautiful portrayal of a feast, where the guests are merry and the atmosphere is filled with warmth and happiness. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem and explore the various themes and literary devices used by the poet.
The poem begins with the line, "I drank at every vine." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is indulging in the pleasures of life. The use of the word "drank" is significant, as it implies that the speaker is not just savoring the taste of the wine, but is also enjoying the experience of drinking it. The line also suggests that the speaker is not just drinking from one vine, but from every vine, which emphasizes the abundance of the feast.
The next few lines of the poem describe the setting of the feast. The speaker talks about the "purple-stained mouth" of the guests, which suggests that they have been indulging in wine. The use of the word "purple" is significant, as it is associated with royalty and luxury. This suggests that the feast is a grand affair, where the guests are treated like royalty.
The speaker then goes on to describe the food at the feast. She talks about the "singing flesh" and the "juice within the fruit." These lines suggest that the food is not just delicious, but also fresh and vibrant. The use of the word "singing" is significant, as it suggests that the food is so delicious that it is almost singing with flavor.
The next few lines of the poem describe the atmosphere of the feast. The speaker talks about the "laughter and the mirth" and the "music and the wine." These lines suggest that the guests are having a great time, and that the atmosphere is filled with joy and happiness. The use of the word "mirth" is significant, as it suggests that the guests are not just happy, but also playful and lighthearted.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker talks about the "shadow on the floor." This line suggests that there is something ominous lurking in the background, and that the feast may not be as perfect as it seems. The use of the word "shadow" is significant, as it suggests that there is something hidden or unknown.
The next few lines of the poem describe the reaction of the guests to the shadow. The speaker talks about the "silence in the room" and the "whispered word." These lines suggest that the guests are aware of the shadow, but are hesitant to talk about it. The use of the word "whispered" is significant, as it suggests that the guests are speaking in hushed tones, as if they are afraid of being overheard.
The poem then ends with the line, "I took my leave of you." This line suggests that the speaker is leaving the feast, and that she is saying goodbye to the guests. The use of the word "leave" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is not just leaving the feast, but also leaving behind the happiness and joy that she experienced there.
Overall, Feast by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of a joyous celebration. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful language, which makes it a pleasure to read. The poem also explores themes of indulgence, abundance, and the fleeting nature of happiness. The use of literary devices such as symbolism, imagery, and metaphor adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor Recommended Sites
GNN tips: Graph Neural network best practice, generative ai neural networks with reasoningLearn GCP: Learn Google Cloud platform. Training, tutorials, resources and best practice
Decentralized Apps - crypto dapps: Decentralized apps running from webassembly powered by blockchain
Cloud Automated Build - Cloud CI/CD & Cloud Devops:
Learn AI Ops: AI operations for machine learning
Recommended Similar Analysis
Rain by Edward Thomas analysisFrom Pent-up Aching Rivers by Walt Whitman analysis
A Child Asleep by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
The Land Of Dreams by William Blake analysis
De Profundis by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Let it be Forgotten by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Love Calls Us To The Things Of This World by Richard Wilbur analysis
Eating Together by Li-Young Lee analysis
The Man He Killed by Thomas Hardy analysis
What Then? by William Butler Yeats analysis