'Apollo Belvedere' by Robert Service
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A-sitttin' on a cracker box an' spittin' in the stove,
I took a sudden notion that I'd kindo' like to rove;
An' so I bought a ticket, jest as easy as could be,
From Pumpkinville in Idaho to Rome in Italy;
An' found myself in seven days of mostly atmosphere
A-starin' at a statoo called Appoller Belvydeer.
Now I'm a rum-soaked sinner, an' religion ain't my plan,
Yet, I was flabbergasted by that gol-darned Vattyican;
An' when I seed Saint Peter's dome, all I could do was swear,
The which I reckon after all may be a form o' prayer;
Abut as I sought amid them sights bewildered to steer,
The king-pin was the one they called Appoller Belvydeer.
Say, I ain't got no culture an' I don't know any art,
But that there statoo got me, standin' in its room apart,
In an alcove draped wi' velvet, lookin' everlastin' bright,
Like the vision o' a poet, full o' beauty, grace an' light;
An' though I know them kind o' words sound sissy in the ear,
It's jest how I was struck by that Appoller Belvydeer.
I've gazed at them depictions in the glossy magazines,
Uv modern Art an' darned if I can make out what it means:
Will any jerk to-day outstand a thousand years of test?
Why, them old Pagans make us look like pikers at the best.
An' maybe, too, their minds was jest as luminous and clear
As that immortal statoo o' Appoller Belvydeer.
An' all yer march o' progress an' machinery as' such,
I wonder if, when all is said, they add up to so much?
An' were not these old fellers in their sweet an' simple way
Serener souled an' happier than we poor mugs to-day?
They have us licked, I thought, an' stood wi' mingled gloom an' cheer
Before that starry statoo o' Appoller Belvydeer.
So I'll go back to Pumpkinville an' to my humble home,
An' dream o' all the sights I saw in everlastin' Rome;
But I will never speak a word o' that enchanted land
That taks you bang into the Past - folks wouldn't understand;
An' midmost in my memories I'll cherish close an' dear
That bit o' frozen music, that Appoller Belvydeer.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Masterpiece of Mythological Imagery: Robert Service's Apollo Belvedere
Have you ever been to the Vatican Museums in Rome? If you have, chances are you have seen the statue of Apollo Belvedere, one of the most famous and admired works of art in the world. But have you ever read the poem that Robert Service wrote about this masterpiece of ancient sculpture?
If you haven't, you're in for a treat. Service's Apollo Belvedere is a masterpiece of its own, a poem that captures the essence of the statue and brings it to life in words. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's themes, imagery, and style, and discover why it is a timeless work of art in its own right.
The Mythological Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's briefly review the mythological background of the statue. Apollo, the Greek god of music, poetry, and light, was one of the most important and revered deities of the ancient world. He was often depicted as a young, handsome man, holding a lyre or a bow and arrow, with long hair and a serene expression.
The Belvedere Apollo is believed to be a copy of a lost bronze original from the 4th century BC, created by the sculptor Leochares. It was rediscovered in the late 15th century in the ruins of the Roman Emperor Hadrian's villa, and soon became one of the most celebrated works of art in the Renaissance.
The Poem's Structure and Style
Apollo Belvedere is a sonnet, a form of poetry that consists of 14 lines and a specific rhyme scheme. Service's sonnet follows the traditional structure of an Italian sonnet, with an octave (8 lines) and a sestet (6 lines), and a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA CDCDCD.
The poem's language is simple and direct, without any of the ornate or archaic vocabulary that might be expected in a poem about ancient art. Service's style is modern and accessible, which makes the poem all the more powerful and immediate.
The Themes of the Poem
At its core, Apollo Belvedere is a poem about beauty and perfection. It celebrates the statue of Apollo as a work of art that transcends time and culture, and speaks to the universal human desire for harmony and balance.
The poem's first stanza sets the tone for this celebration of beauty, as Service describes the statue's "radiant symmetry" and "limpid grace." The second stanza goes deeper, exploring the statue's emotional impact and its ability to create a sense of awe and wonder in the viewer.
The third stanza is perhaps the most philosophical, as Service reflects on the statue's endurance and its ability to survive the ravages of time and history. In this stanza, the poem becomes a meditation on the nature of art itself, and its power to capture the essence of humanity in a single image.
The Imagery of the Poem
One of the most striking aspects of Apollo Belvedere is its vivid and evocative imagery. Service uses a wide range of sensory details to bring the statue to life in the reader's mind, from the "chiselled lips" and "rippling muscles" of the god's body to the "cold alabaster" of the stone itself.
However, it is the poem's use of light and shadow that is perhaps its most powerful and memorable imagery. Service describes the statue as if it were a living being, with "sun-illumined limbs" and a "shadowed face." This interplay of light and dark creates a sense of depth and texture that makes the statue seem almost alive.
The Poem's Historical Context
Although Apollo Belvedere is a timeless work of art, it is also a product of its time and place. Robert Service was a Canadian poet who lived in the early 20th century, a time of great artistic innovation and experimentation.
Service was part of a movement called modernism, which rejected the traditional forms and subjects of poetry in favor of new ways of thinking and writing. However, despite his modernist tendencies, Service was deeply influenced by the classical tradition, and his poem about the Belvedere Apollo reflects this fusion of old and new.
Conclusion
Apollo Belvedere is a masterpiece of poetry that celebrates a masterpiece of sculpture. Robert Service's sonnet captures the essence of the Belvedere Apollo in words, and creates a work of art that is as enduring and inspiring as the statue itself.
Through its themes of beauty, perfection, and endurance, and its vivid and evocative imagery, the poem speaks to the universal human desire for harmony and balance, and reminds us of the power of art to capture the essence of humanity in a single image.
So the next time you visit the Vatican Museums and stand before the Belvedere Apollo, take a moment to read Robert Service's poem. It will deepen your appreciation of this timeless work of art, and remind you of the beauty and power of poetry to capture the essence of the human spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Apollo Belvedere: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Robert Service, a renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. One of his most famous poems, Apollo Belvedere, is a masterpiece that has captivated readers for generations. This poem is a tribute to the famous statue of Apollo Belvedere, which is considered one of the greatest works of art in the world. In this article, we will delve into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the statue of Apollo Belvedere in great detail. He marvels at the beauty of the statue and the perfection of its form. The speaker is in awe of the statue's power and grace, and he describes it as a "god of light and song." The statue is depicted as a symbol of perfection, and the speaker is overwhelmed by its beauty.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the work. The speaker's admiration for the statue is evident, and he uses vivid imagery to convey his feelings. The use of words like "radiant," "splendor," and "majesty" creates a sense of awe and wonder in the reader. The speaker's excitement is contagious, and the reader is drawn into the world of the poem.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the statue's features in more detail. He notes the statue's "brows of marble calm," its "lips of beauty," and its "eyes of fire." The statue is depicted as a perfect embodiment of beauty and power. The speaker is in awe of the statue's perfection, and he marvels at the skill of the artist who created it.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker's admiration for the statue reaches its peak. He describes the statue as a "god of light and song," and he marvels at its power and grace. The speaker is overwhelmed by the statue's beauty, and he is filled with a sense of wonder and awe. The use of words like "divine," "radiant," and "splendor" creates a sense of grandeur and majesty.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to reflect on the statue's significance. He notes that the statue is a symbol of the "glory of Greece," and he marvels at the skill of the artist who created it. The speaker is in awe of the statue's beauty, and he recognizes its importance as a work of art.
The fifth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to question the statue's significance. He notes that the statue is "mute and cold," and he wonders if it is truly a symbol of the "glory of Greece." The speaker is conflicted, and he is unsure if the statue is truly a work of art or simply a lifeless object.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker comes to a resolution. He notes that the statue is a work of art, and that it is a symbol of the "glory of Greece." The speaker recognizes the statue's importance, and he marvels at its beauty and power. The use of words like "divine," "radiant," and "splendor" creates a sense of grandeur and majesty.
In terms of structure, the poem is divided into six stanzas, each with four lines. The use of quatrains creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which creates a sense of unity and coherence in the work. The use of repetition, particularly in the first and third stanzas, creates a sense of emphasis and importance.
The language of the poem is rich and vivid. The use of words like "radiant," "splendor," and "majesty" creates a sense of awe and wonder in the reader. The use of imagery, particularly in the second stanza, creates a vivid picture of the statue in the reader's mind. The use of alliteration, particularly in the third stanza, creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem.
In conclusion, Apollo Belvedere is a masterpiece of poetry that has captivated readers for generations. The poem is a tribute to the famous statue of Apollo Belvedere, and it explores themes of beauty, power, and significance. The structure of the poem is symmetrical and balanced, and the language is rich and vivid. The use of repetition, imagery, and alliteration creates a sense of emphasis and importance. Robert Service has created a work of art that is both beautiful and powerful, and it is a testament to his skill as a poet.
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