'Apollo Musagetes' by Matthew Arnold
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Through the black, rushing smoke-bursts,
Thick breaks the red flame;
All Etna heaves fiercely
Her forest-clothed frame.
Not here, O Apollo!
Are haunts meet for thee.
But, where Helicon breaks down
In cliff to the sea,
Where the moon-silver'd inlets
Send far their light voice
Up the still vale of Thisbe,
O speed, and rejoice!
On the sward at the cliff-top
Lie strewn the white flocks,
On the cliff-side the pigeons
Roost deep in the rocks.
In the moonlight the shepherds,
Soft lull'd by the rills,
Lie wrapped in their blankets
Asleep on the hills.
--What forms are these coming
So white through the gloom?
What garments out-glistening
The gold-flower'd broom?
What sweet-breathing presence
Out-perfumes the thyme?
What voices enrapture
The night's balmy prime?
'Tis Apollo comes leading
His choir, the Nine.
--The leader is fairest,
But all are divine.
They are lost in the hollows!
They stream up again!
What seeks on this mountain
The glorified train?--
They bathe on this mountain,
In the spring by their road;
Then on to Olympus,
Their endless abode.
--Whose proase do they mention?
Of what is it told?--
What will be for ever;
What was from of old.
First hymn they the Father
Of all things; and then,
The rest of immortals,
The action of men.
The day in his hotness,
The strife with the palm;
The night in her silence,
The stars in their calm.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Apollo Musagetes: A Study of Matthew Arnold's Poetic Genius
Matthew Arnold's "Apollo Musagetes" is a classical ode to the Greek god of music, poetry, and light. Through his musical and lyrical style, Arnold celebrates the beauty of Apollo's music and poetry, presenting it as a source of inspiration and guidance for humanity. In this literary criticism, we will delve deeper into Arnold's poetic genius, exploring his use of rhythm, rhyme, imagery, and symbolism to create a masterpiece of classical literature.
The Music of Language
Arnold's "Apollo Musagetes" is a prime example of his mastery of rhythm and rhyme. The poem is written in a regular iambic pentameter, which gives it a musical quality that echoes the subject matter - Apollo, the god of music. The poem opens with a majestic line that captures the reader's attention with its grandeur and beauty:
O golden-tongued Apollo! who didst dwell
Among the bright gods in thy father's hall,
Who lovest to make full many a tuneful call
On mortals, and on the immortal powers as well;
This opening stanza not only sets the tone for the rest of the poem but also establishes the musical theme. The use of alliteration, assonance, and internal rhyme creates a harmony of sound that is pleasing to the ear. Arnold's use of enjambment and caesura adds to the musicality of the poem, creating a sense of flow and rhythm:
Hail, god of the lyre! who dost inspire
The poet's song, and with thy golden fire
Fill his rapt soul, till he forgets the earth,
And sings entranced of heavenly things and birth.
The use of the exclamation mark and the repetition of "Hail" emphasizes the celebratory nature of the poem, highlighting the joy and wonder that Apollo inspires. The alliteration of "god of the lyre" and "golden fire" emphasizes the connection between Apollo and music, while the use of "rapt soul" and "heavenly things" creates a sense of transcendence and spiritual elevation.
The Power of Imagery
Arnold's use of imagery in "Apollo Musagetes" is both vivid and evocative. He uses imagery to convey the beauty and majesty of Apollo's music, as well as the power of the god himself. The imagery in the poem creates a sense of wonder and awe, transporting the reader to a world of divine beauty and inspiration.
The gods upon their thrones, the Olympian band,
Listen entranced to thy celestial strain;
The stars stand still in heaven, the sea on land
Lays her hushed waves beneath thy lovely reign.
The use of personification, such as "the sea on land lays her hushed waves," creates a sense of reverence and awe for Apollo's power over the natural world. The use of "celestial strain" emphasizes the divine nature of Apollo's music, while the reference to "the Olympian band" connects Apollo to the pantheon of Greek gods.
Arnold's use of imagery is not limited to the beauty of Apollo's music. He also uses imagery to convey the power of poetry and its ability to inspire and transform the human soul. The following lines are an excellent example of this:
But when thy power inspires the poet's heart,
Then, like the Delphic priestess, rapt and wild,
He pours forth strains that bid the world depart,
And brings to mortals glory undefiled.
The allusion to the Delphic priestess creates a sense of mysticism and spiritual power, emphasizing the transformative nature of Apollo's music and poetry. The use of "glory undefiled" creates a sense of purity and transcendence, suggesting that the poet's work is noble and elevated.
The Symbolism of Apollo
Arnold's use of Apollo as a symbol in "Apollo Musagetes" is both powerful and profound. The god of music and poetry represents the highest ideals of human creativity and inspiration. Arnold uses Apollo as a symbol of the power of art to elevate and transform the human spirit, suggesting that the pursuit of art is a noble and worthwhile endeavor.
The following lines are an excellent example of Arnold's use of symbolism:
And thou, who dost the poet's soul inspire,
Who dost his thoughts with heavenly ardour fill,
Who kindlest in his heart the sacred fire
That burns with purest flame, serene and still;
The use of "sacred fire" and "purest flame" creates a sense of divine inspiration, emphasizing the importance of art in the human experience. The use of "heavenly ardour" and "serene and still" creates a sense of calm and purity, suggesting that the pursuit of art is a noble and worthwhile endeavor.
Arnold also uses Apollo as a symbol of the ideal poet, suggesting that the poet who is inspired by Apollo is the embodiment of the highest ideals of human creativity and inspiration. The following lines are an excellent example of this:
And he who feels thy sacred influence nigh,
And hears the music of thy silver lyre,
Must needs, like Orpheus, with thy strains comply,
And, like thyself, become a god inspired.
The use of "Orpheus" as a reference to the ideal poet creates a sense of the transcendent and the otherworldly, emphasizing the transformative power of art. The use of "god inspired" creates a sense of divine power and inspiration, suggesting that the poet who is inspired by Apollo is elevated to a higher plane of existence.
Conclusion
Arnold's "Apollo Musagetes" is a masterpiece of classical literature, celebrating the beauty and power of Apollo's music and poetry. Through his masterful use of language, imagery, and symbolism, Arnold creates a sense of wonder and awe, transporting the reader to a world of divine beauty and inspiration. The poem is an ode to the power of art to elevate and transform the human spirit, suggesting that the pursuit of art is a noble and worthwhile endeavor. Arnold's "Apollo Musagetes" is a testament to his poetic genius and his mastery of the classical form, securing his place in the pantheon of great writers of the English language.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Matthew Arnold’s “Apollo Musagetes” is a classic poem that is rich in meaning and symbolism. The poem is a tribute to the Greek god Apollo, who was the god of music, poetry, and prophecy. Arnold’s poem is a celebration of the power of poetry and the role that it plays in our lives. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with an invocation to Apollo, the god of poetry. Arnold describes Apollo as the “leader of the choir” and the “god of the golden bow.” These descriptions are significant because they highlight Apollo’s role as the leader of the muses, who were the goddesses of the arts and sciences. The “golden bow” is a reference to Apollo’s role as the god of prophecy, as he was often depicted carrying a bow and arrow.
Arnold then goes on to describe the power of poetry. He says that poetry has the power to “charm the souls of men.” This line is significant because it highlights the emotional impact that poetry can have on people. Poetry has the ability to move us, to make us feel things that we may not have felt before. Arnold also says that poetry has the power to “still the restless pulse of care.” This line is significant because it highlights the therapeutic nature of poetry. Poetry has the ability to calm us, to soothe our anxieties and worries.
Arnold then goes on to describe the role of the poet. He says that the poet is a “priest of the invisible.” This line is significant because it highlights the spiritual nature of poetry. The poet has the ability to tap into something that is beyond the physical world, something that is intangible and invisible. Arnold also says that the poet is a “prophet of the unapparent.” This line is significant because it highlights the prophetic nature of poetry. The poet has the ability to see things that others cannot see, to predict things that others cannot predict.
Arnold then goes on to describe the power of music. He says that music has the power to “charm the ear.” This line is significant because it highlights the sensory impact that music can have on us. Music has the ability to delight us, to make us feel pleasure. Arnold also says that music has the power to “still the weary brain.” This line is significant because it highlights the therapeutic nature of music. Music has the ability to calm us, to soothe our tired minds.
Arnold then goes on to describe the role of the musician. He says that the musician is a “priest of the invisible.” This line is significant because it highlights the spiritual nature of music. The musician has the ability to tap into something that is beyond the physical world, something that is intangible and invisible. Arnold also says that the musician is a “prophet of the unapparent.” This line is significant because it highlights the prophetic nature of music. The musician has the ability to see things that others cannot see, to predict things that others cannot predict.
Arnold then goes on to describe the power of dance. He says that dance has the power to “charm the sight.” This line is significant because it highlights the visual impact that dance can have on us. Dance has the ability to delight us, to make us feel pleasure. Arnold also says that dance has the power to “still the restless feet.” This line is significant because it highlights the therapeutic nature of dance. Dance has the ability to calm us, to soothe our restless bodies.
Arnold then goes on to describe the role of the dancer. He says that the dancer is a “priest of the invisible.” This line is significant because it highlights the spiritual nature of dance. The dancer has the ability to tap into something that is beyond the physical world, something that is intangible and invisible. Arnold also says that the dancer is a “prophet of the unapparent.” This line is significant because it highlights the prophetic nature of dance. The dancer has the ability to see things that others cannot see, to predict things that others cannot predict.
Arnold then concludes the poem by saying that Apollo is the “source of life and light.” This line is significant because it highlights Apollo’s role as the god of the sun. The sun is the source of life and light, and Apollo was often associated with the sun. Arnold also says that Apollo is the “source of art and poetry.” This line is significant because it highlights Apollo’s role as the god of the muses. Apollo was the leader of the muses, and he was often associated with the arts and sciences.
In conclusion, Matthew Arnold’s “Apollo Musagetes” is a classic poem that celebrates the power of poetry, music, and dance. The poem is a tribute to the Greek god Apollo, who was the god of music, poetry, and prophecy. Arnold’s poem is a celebration of the power of the arts and the role that they play in our lives. The poem is rich in meaning and symbolism, and it highlights the emotional, therapeutic, spiritual, and prophetic nature of the arts.
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