'An Ode, On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell' by John Dryden
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Late Servant to his Majesty, and
Organist of the Chapel Royal, and
of St. Peter's Westminster
I
Mark how the Lark and Linnet Sing,
With rival Notes
They strain their warbling Throats,
To welcome in the Spring.
But in the close of Night,
When Philomel begins her Heav'nly lay,
They cease their mutual spite,
Drink in her Music with delight,
And list'ning and silent, and silent and list'ning,
And list'ning and silent obey.
II
So ceas'd the rival Crew when Purcell came,
They Sung no more, or only Sung his Fame.
Struck dumb they all admir'd the God-like Man,
The God-like Man,
Alas, too soon retir'd,
As He too late began.
We beg not Hell, our Orpheus to restore,
Had He been there,
Their Sovereign's fear
Had sent Him back before.
The pow'r of Harmony too well they know,
He long e'er this had Tun'd their jarring Sphere,
And left no Hell below.
III
The Heav'nly Choir, who heard his Notes from high,
Let down the Scale of Music from the Sky:
They handed him along,
And all the way He taught, and all the way they Sung.
Ye Brethren of the Lyre, and tuneful Voice,
Lament his Lot: but at your own rejoice.
Now live secure and linger out your days,
The Gods are pleas'd alone with Purcell's Lays,
Nor know to mend their Choice.
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Ode, On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell: A Literary Criticism
Wow. Just wow. That's what I think of when I read John Dryden's "An Ode, On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell." This poem is a literary masterpiece that captures the essence of music, mourning, and the human condition. Dryden's ode is a tribute to Henry Purcell, a well-known composer who died at the age of 36. But it's more than just a tribute – it's a meditation on life, death, and the power of art.
Background
Before we dive into Dryden's ode, let's talk a little bit about Henry Purcell. Purcell was a famous composer in the Baroque era who was born in 1659 and died in 1695. He was known for his vocal music, which included operas, anthems, and hymns. Purcell's music was highly influential, and he was considered one of the greatest English composers of his time. His death was a great loss to the music world, and Dryden's ode reflects this.
The Structure of the Ode
Dryden's ode is a complex piece of literature that follows a specific structure. It is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct focus. The first section is an introduction that sets the tone for the poem. The second section is a meditation on the power of music and the impact that Purcell's music had on the world. The third section is a lament for Purcell's death and a reflection on mortality.
The Introduction
Dryden's introduction is a call to mourn. He sets the tone for the poem by invoking the muses to "raise your voices, and the songs renew." Dryden is calling on the muses to help him mourn the loss of Purcell and to celebrate his life and achievements. He also acknowledges that Purcell's death is a loss not just for the music world, but for humanity as a whole.
The Power of Music
The second section of the ode is a meditation on the power of music. Dryden describes music as a "mighty art" that can move people to tears, joy, and everything in between. He also describes how Purcell's music had the power to move people's souls and create a sense of unity. Dryden writes:
His music's force can dry the mourners' tears,
And charm the gayer grief of absent years;
His song can with resistless art conspire,
To calm the raging of the savage breast;
To soften rocks, or bend the knotted oak.
Dryden is saying that music has the power to heal, to bring people together, and to change the world. Purcell's music was able to do all of these things, and Dryden is celebrating this fact.
The Lament
The third section of the ode is a lament for Purcell's death. Dryden reflects on the fact that death comes to us all, no matter how talented or important we are. He writes:
But hark! he strikes the golden lyre again,
And sounds to all below,
"Live, live again, and in my numbers join."
From the blest regions of his soul, he calls
The obedient strings, and leads them gently round
And how he charms! the feathered quires
Descend, and listen to his voice divine.
Dryden is saying that even though Purcell is gone, his music lives on. His music has the power to bring people back to life, to join them together in a shared experience, and to remind us that even though we are mortal, we can create something that transcends death.
Interpretation
Dryden's "An Ode, On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell" is a complex poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. One interpretation is that Dryden is celebrating the power of music and the impact that Purcell had on the world. Another interpretation is that Dryden is reflecting on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. Still another interpretation is that Dryden is meditating on the human condition and the importance of creating something that will outlast us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dryden's "An Ode, On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell" is a literary masterpiece that captures the essence of music, mourning, and the human condition. Dryden's ode is a tribute to Henry Purcell, a well-known composer who died at the age of 36. But it's more than just a tribute – it's a meditation on life, death, and the power of art. Dryden's ode is a reminder that even though we are mortal, we can create something that will outlast us. And that, my friends, is something truly extraordinary.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
An Ode, On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell: A Masterpiece of Elegy
John Dryden's "An Ode, On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell" is a masterpiece of elegy, a tribute to the great English composer who died in 1695 at the age of 36. The poem is a moving tribute to Purcell's genius and his contribution to English music. It is a work of great beauty and power, and it has been admired by generations of readers and music lovers.
The poem is structured in three parts, each of which is a tribute to a different aspect of Purcell's music. The first part is a tribute to his vocal music, the second to his instrumental music, and the third to his choral music. Each part is a celebration of Purcell's mastery of his craft and his ability to move and inspire his listeners.
The first part of the poem is a tribute to Purcell's vocal music. Dryden begins by describing the beauty of Purcell's voice, which he compares to the music of the spheres. He then goes on to praise Purcell's ability to set words to music, and his skill in creating melodies that perfectly capture the emotion and meaning of the lyrics. Dryden writes:
"His voice was at once so strong and sweet,
Like that of Orpheus, which could charm the fleet,
The moving rocks, and trees, and beasts could move,
So only that it might the sense improve."
Dryden's use of the myth of Orpheus is significant, as it suggests that Purcell's music had the power to move even inanimate objects. This is a testament to the power of Purcell's music, and to the emotional impact it had on its listeners.
The second part of the poem is a tribute to Purcell's instrumental music. Dryden describes Purcell's ability to create music that was both beautiful and complex, and his skill in using different instruments to create different moods and effects. He writes:
"His music's power was such, it did control
The pulse of grief and passion of the soul:
Now with religious awe the cymbals ring,
And now they groan with more than mortal sting."
Dryden's use of the word "control" is significant, as it suggests that Purcell's music had the power to manipulate the emotions of its listeners. This is a testament to Purcell's skill as a composer, and to the emotional depth of his music.
The third part of the poem is a tribute to Purcell's choral music. Dryden describes Purcell's ability to create music that was both grand and majestic, and his skill in using different voices to create different effects. He writes:
"His choral songs, with heavy pompous pace,
Like the slow majesty of time and space,
Could swell the soul to rage, or kindle soft desire,
And kindle soft desire, or rage inspire."
Dryden's use of the word "majesty" is significant, as it suggests that Purcell's music had the power to inspire awe and reverence in its listeners. This is a testament to the grandeur and majesty of Purcell's music, and to its ability to move and inspire its listeners.
Throughout the poem, Dryden uses a variety of poetic techniques to create a sense of beauty and power. He uses vivid imagery to describe Purcell's music, and he uses repetition and rhyme to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. He also uses alliteration and assonance to create a sense of harmony and balance.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of personification. Dryden personifies music itself, describing it as a living, breathing entity that has the power to move and inspire. He writes:
"Music, the greatest good that mortals know,
And all of heaven we have below,
Music can noble hints impart,
And pleasures bring to fill the heart."
Dryden's use of personification is significant, as it suggests that music is not just a collection of sounds, but a living, breathing entity that has the power to move and inspire. This is a testament to the emotional power of music, and to the importance of music in human life.
In conclusion, John Dryden's "An Ode, On The Death Of Mr. Henry Purcell" is a masterpiece of elegy, a tribute to the great English composer who died in 1695 at the age of 36. The poem is a moving tribute to Purcell's genius and his contribution to English music. It is a work of great beauty and power, and it has been admired by generations of readers and music lovers. Dryden's use of vivid imagery, repetition, rhyme, alliteration, and personification creates a sense of beauty and power that perfectly captures the emotional impact of Purcell's music. This is a testament to the emotional power of music, and to the importance of music in human life.
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