'ON HIMSELF' by Robert Herrick

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I'll write no more of love, but now repent
Of all those times that I in it have spent.
I'll write no more of life, but wish 'twas ended,
And that my dust was to the earth commended.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"ON HIMSELF" by Robert Herrick: A Critique and Interpretation

Introduction

Robert Herrick’s poem “On Himself” is a piece of self-reflection that celebrates the narrator’s life and accomplishments. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each containing six lines, and follows an ABABCC rhyme scheme. The language used in the poem is simple and direct, while the imagery is vivid and colorful. In this literary criticism, we will examine the themes, literary devices, and structure of the poem, as well as its social and historical context.

Themes

The central theme of “On Himself” is self-reflection, which is closely linked to the themes of aging, time, and death. The poem begins with the narrator reflecting on his youth and the experience of growing old. He acknowledges that he has lost his physical beauty and is no longer admired by others. However, he takes solace in the fact that his wisdom and experience have increased with age. He also celebrates his accomplishments as a poet and acknowledges that his words will live on after he is gone.

The second stanza focuses on the theme of time, which is presented as a relentless force that cannot be stopped or reversed. The narrator compares his life to a clock that is winding down and acknowledges that his time on earth is limited. He urges his readers to make the most of their own time and to live their lives to the fullest.

The third and final stanza deals with the theme of death, which the narrator presents as a natural and inevitable part of life. He acknowledges that he will one day die and be forgotten, but he takes comfort in the fact that his poetry will continue to live on. He urges his readers to remember him through his words and to continue to read and appreciate his poetry long after he is gone.

Literary Devices

“On Himself” makes use of several literary devices to convey its themes and ideas. One of the most prominent devices is imagery, which is used to create vivid and colorful pictures in the reader’s mind. For example, in the first stanza, the narrator describes himself as “wrinkled” and “grey” and compares himself to a “fallen tower” and a “ruin’d chapel.” These images convey a sense of decay and loss while also emphasizing the narrator’s age and experience.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition, which is used to emphasize certain words and ideas. For example, the phrase “I now grow old” is repeated twice in the first stanza, emphasizing the theme of aging and the passage of time. The phrase “Time’s Flying” is also repeated twice in the second stanza, emphasizing the theme of time and its unstoppable nature.

The poem also makes use of metaphor, which is used to compare two different things in order to create a deeper understanding of one of them. For example, the narrator compares his life to a “clock” in the second stanza, emphasizing the passage of time and the inevitability of death. He also compares his poetry to a “monument” in the third stanza, emphasizing the idea that his words will live on long after he is gone.

Structure

The structure of “On Himself” is fairly straightforward, consisting of three stanzas of six lines each. The poem follows an ABABCC rhyme scheme, with the first four lines of each stanza rhyming with each other and the last two lines rhyming with each other. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance, emphasizing the poem’s themes of order and structure.

The poem is also carefully structured in terms of its content. The first stanza focuses on the theme of aging, the second on the theme of time, and the third on the theme of death. Each stanza builds on the previous one, creating a sense of progression and development. The repetition of certain phrases and images also creates a sense of continuity and unity throughout the poem.

Social and Historical Context

Robert Herrick was a seventeenth-century English poet who lived during the reign of Charles I. His poetry was heavily influenced by the classical tradition and was characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and directness. “On Himself” was published in Herrick’s collection Hesperides in 1648, a few years before his death.

The themes of aging, time, and death were particularly relevant to Herrick’s time, as the seventeenth century was a period of great social and political upheaval. The English Civil War, which began in 1642, led to widespread social and economic disruption and a sense of uncertainty and instability. Herrick’s poetry can be seen as a reflection of this broader context, as he grapples with the themes of mortality and the passage of time.

Conclusion

“On Himself” is a powerful piece of self-reflection that celebrates the narrator’s life and accomplishments while also acknowledging the inevitability of death. The poem’s simple language and vivid imagery create a sense of immediacy and intimacy, inviting the reader to share in the narrator’s thoughts and experiences. The poem’s themes of aging, time, and death are universal and timeless, making it a work that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Robert Herrick’s “Poetry on Himself” is a poem that is both introspective and self-referential. It is a poem that speaks to the nature of poetry itself, and the role that the poet plays in creating it. Herrick’s poem is a celebration of the creative process, and a testament to the power of the written word.

The poem begins with the speaker declaring that he is a poet, and that he is proud of his craft. He describes himself as a “maker” of poetry, and he revels in the fact that he is able to create something out of nothing. He speaks of his ability to “make a world where none was before,” and he revels in the power that this gives him.

The speaker then goes on to describe the process of creating poetry. He speaks of the “sweetness” that he feels when he is writing, and he describes the way that his words flow from his pen like “honey from the comb.” He speaks of the way that his words take on a life of their own, and he marvels at the way that they seem to have a power that is beyond his control.

As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more introspective. He begins to question the nature of his own creativity, and he wonders where his ideas come from. He speaks of the way that his mind seems to be filled with “strange and new conceits,” and he marvels at the way that these ideas seem to come to him out of nowhere.

The speaker then goes on to describe the way that his poetry is received by others. He speaks of the way that his words are able to move people, and he describes the way that his poetry is able to touch their hearts. He speaks of the way that his words are able to “charm the ear” and “melt the heart,” and he revels in the fact that he is able to have such a profound impact on his readers.

As the poem comes to a close, the speaker reflects on the nature of his own mortality. He speaks of the way that his poetry will outlive him, and he marvels at the fact that his words will continue to be read long after he is gone. He speaks of the way that his poetry will be able to “live and sing” even after he has passed away, and he takes comfort in the fact that his words will continue to have a life of their own.

Overall, “Poetry on Himself” is a poem that celebrates the power of the written word, and the role that the poet plays in creating it. It is a poem that speaks to the nature of creativity, and the way that ideas seem to come to us out of nowhere. It is a poem that speaks to the way that poetry is able to move people, and the way that it is able to touch their hearts. And it is a poem that speaks to the way that our words are able to outlive us, and continue to have a life of their own long after we are gone.

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