'UPON A CHILD THAT DIED' by Robert Herrick
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Here she lies, a pretty bud,
Lately made of flesh and blood;
Who as soon fell fast asleep,
As her little eyes did peep.
--Give her strewings, but not stir
The earth, that lightly covers her.
Editor 1 Interpretation
UPON A CHILD THAT DIED: A Heart-Wrenching Elegy
Robert Herrick's "Upon a child that died" is a heart-wrenching elegy that reflects the poet's grief and despair over the death of an innocent child. The poem is a moving tribute to the child, who died at a tender age, and a testament to the depth of the poet's sorrow.
The Poem: A Closer Look
The poem begins with a powerful statement of loss: "O fairest flower, no sooner blown but blasted." The use of the floral metaphor is a common feature of elegies, and it serves to highlight the transience of life. The child, like a flower, was beautiful and vibrant but short-lived. The use of the word "blasted" is particularly poignant, as it suggests a sudden and violent end to the child's life.
The second stanza of the poem is equally moving. The poet asks "Who now shall deck thy grave with flowers?" This question is a rhetorical one, as it is clear that there is no one left to decorate the child's grave. The use of the word "deck" is also significant, as it suggests a sense of celebration or festivity. The poet seems to be mourning not only the child's death but also the loss of the joy and happiness that the child brought to the world.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The poet asks "Why didst thou leave me?" This question is one that many people ask when they lose a loved one. The use of the word "leave" is significant, as it suggests that the child's death was a conscious decision rather than a random event. The poet seems to be struggling to come to terms with the fact that the child is gone and that there is nothing he can do to bring him back.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the child's innocence. The poet describes the child as being "pure" and "bright." This description serves to highlight the child's innocence and suggests that he was taken before he had a chance to experience the harsh realities of life. The use of the word "bright" is also significant, as it suggests that the child had a radiant and joyful personality.
The fifth stanza of the poem is a lament for the loss of the child's potential. The poet asks "What could the tears of thy mother avail, to save thee from the cold and silent tomb?" This question is a rhetorical one, as it is clear that nothing could have saved the child from death. The use of the word "tomb" is significant, as it suggests a sense of finality and closure. The poet seems to be acknowledging that the child is gone and that there is no hope of his return.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the poet's own mortality. The poet asks "And I, as well as thou, must die?" This question is a rhetorical one, as the answer is obviously yes. The use of the word "must" is significant, as it suggests that death is inevitable and that there is no escaping it. The poet seems to be suggesting that the child's death is a reminder of his own mortality and that he must make the most of the time he has left.
Literary Criticism and Interpretation
"Upon a child that died" is a classic example of an elegy, a poem that mourns the loss of a loved one. The poem is notable for its use of vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and rhetorical questions. The poem is also notable for its emphasis on the transience of life and the inevitability of death.
One of the key themes of the poem is the fragility of life. The child, like a flower, was beautiful and vibrant but short-lived. The poet seems to be suggesting that life is precious but also fleeting, and that we should cherish every moment we have.
Another key theme of the poem is the inevitability of death. The poet seems to be suggesting that death is a natural part of life, and that there is no escaping it. The use of the word "must" in the final stanza is particularly significant, as it suggests that death is something that we all must face.
The poem is also notable for its emphasis on the emotional impact of death. The poet's grief and despair are palpable throughout the poem, and the use of rhetorical questions serves to highlight the depth of his sorrow. The poet seems to be suggesting that the loss of a loved one is a profound and life-changing experience that leaves a lasting impact on those left behind.
Finally, the poem is notable for its reflection on the child's innocence and potential. The poet seems to be mourning not only the child's death but also the loss of the joy and happiness that the child brought to the world. The child's potential is also highlighted, as the poet seems to be suggesting that his death robbed the world of a bright and promising future.
Conclusion
"Upon a child that died" is a powerful and moving elegy that reflects the poet's grief and despair over the death of an innocent child. The poem is notable for its use of vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and rhetorical questions. The poem is also notable for its emphasis on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Ultimately, the poem serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment we have.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Upon A Child That Died: An Analysis of Robert Herrick's Classic Poem
Robert Herrick's Upon A Child That Died is a poignant and heart-wrenching poem that explores the themes of grief, loss, and the fragility of life. Written in the 17th century, the poem still resonates with readers today, as it captures the universal experience of losing a loved one, especially a child. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of the poem, exploring its language, structure, and imagery.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the child who has passed away, saying "Thou, whose sweet youth and early hopes enhance/ Thy rate and price, and mark thee for a treasure." The use of the word "enhance" suggests that the child's youth and potential have made their death all the more tragic and valuable. The speaker goes on to describe the child's beauty and innocence, saying "Hadst thou but spar'd thy life, and dy'd a bride,/ Thou hadst been too fair for death to hide." This line is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the child's beauty was so great that even death could not conceal it.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the speaker's own grief, as they lament the loss of the child. The line "Thou in thy small impermanent boat/ Didst float on the swift streams of time" suggests that the child's life was fleeting and temporary, like a boat on a river. The use of the word "impermanent" emphasizes the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The speaker then goes on to describe their own grief, saying "Thy cruel unrelenting fate/ Thee from thy native shore did rudely tear." The use of the word "cruel" suggests that the speaker feels that the child's death was unjust and unfair.
The third stanza of the poem explores the idea of the child's soul and its journey after death. The line "Thou, looking on, ere we could go,/ Didst vanish, and become a star" suggests that the child's soul has ascended to the heavens and become a celestial body. The use of the word "vanish" suggests that the child's passing was sudden and unexpected, while the image of the star suggests that the child's soul is now a shining beacon in the sky.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker expresses their hope that they will one day be reunited with the child in the afterlife. The line "Thou art now i' th' milder air,/ Wearing the garland of a starry sphere" suggests that the child's soul is now in a peaceful and heavenly place, adorned with a celestial crown. The speaker then says "But ah! what sudden tide/ Of unforeseen tears/ Stands in our eyes, to surprise our joys with fears?" This line captures the bittersweet nature of grief, as the speaker is torn between the hope of being reunited with the child and the pain of their loss.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in quatrains, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality and helps to emphasize the beauty and innocence of the child. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase runs over into the next line, also gives the poem a flowing and lyrical quality.
In terms of imagery, the poem is full of vivid and powerful images that help to convey the themes of grief and loss. The image of the child's boat floating on the river of time is particularly striking, as it suggests the fleeting and temporary nature of life. The image of the child becoming a star is also powerful, as it suggests the child's soul ascending to the heavens and becoming a shining beacon of hope.
In conclusion, Upon A Child That Died is a beautiful and moving poem that captures the universal experience of grief and loss. Through its language, structure, and imagery, the poem explores the themes of the fragility of life, the beauty of innocence, and the hope of reunion in the afterlife. Despite being written over 300 years ago, the poem still resonates with readers today, as it speaks to the timeless and universal nature of human emotions.
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