'BURIAL' by Robert Herrick

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Man may want land to live in; but for all
Nature finds out some place for burial.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Burial by Robert Herrick: A Masterpiece of Elegiac Poetry

Are you looking for a poem that can touch both your heart and soul? Are you searching for a literary work that can evoke a wide range of emotions, from grief and sadness to hope and redemption? Look no further than "Burial" by Robert Herrick, a timeless elegy that celebrates the beauty and fragility of human life, and the power of poetry to transcend death and time.

The Context and Background of "Burial"

Before delving into the poem itself, let's first explore the historical and literary context in which it was written. Robert Herrick (1591-1674) was a prominent English poet and clergyman during the Jacobean and Caroline eras. He is best known for his lyrical and sensual poems that celebrate the joys of love, nature, and music, and his unique blend of classical and Christian themes and motifs.

"Burial" is one of Herrick's most famous and moving poems, and it was first published in his collection "Hesperides" in 1648. The poem was written in memory of his friend and patron, Sir John Danvers, who died in 1655. Danvers was a wealthy and influential politician and soldier, and Herrick was deeply affected by his death.

The poem is structured as a dialogue between the speaker, who represents Herrick himself, and the dead person, who is addressed as "Thou" and "Thee". The poem speaks of the beauty of death as much as it speaks of the pain of it. Despite the sadness of death, the poem is a celebration of a life lived to the fullest.

The Poem: Structure and Meaning

Now, let's turn our attention to the poem itself, and explore its structure, themes, and literary devices.

Structure

"Burial" is a lyric poem composed of 26 lines, divided into six stanzas of varying lengths. The poem is written in rhymed couplets, with each stanza containing two lines that rhyme with each other. The rhyme scheme is AABBCC, which gives the poem a regular and musical quality, and helps to unify its themes and images.

The poem's structure is simple yet effective, and it allows Herrick to convey his emotions and ideas in a concise and powerful manner. The poem's brevity and intensity make it a perfect elegy, a poem that mourns the death of a person and celebrates their life and legacy.

Themes

The central theme of "Burial" is the transience of human life, and the inevitability of death. The poem reflects on the fragility and vulnerability of human beings, and on the fact that no one can escape the "silent grave" that awaits us all.

But the poem is not only about death and loss; it is also about the beauty and value of human life, and the power of memory and poetry to keep the dead alive. The poem suggests that even though the dead person is gone, their spirit and legacy live on in the memories and writings of those who loved and admired them.

Another theme of the poem is the contrast between the physical and spiritual aspects of human existence. The poem speaks of the "clay-house" of the body, which is temporary and perishable, and contrasts it with the eternal and immortal soul that transcends death and time.

Finally, the poem is also about the power of language and poetry to express and communicate human emotions and experiences. The poem suggests that even though death is a silent and mysterious phenomenon, poetry can give voice to our feelings and thoughts, and connect us with the dead and the living.

Literary Devices

"Burial" is a masterful example of elegiac poetry, and it employs a wide range of literary devices to convey its themes and emotions. Here are some of the most prominent devices used in the poem:

• Imagery: The poem uses vivid and powerful imagery to evoke the beauty and horror of death, and to contrast the physical and spiritual aspects of human existence. For example, the poem speaks of the "marble vault" and the "golden urn" that symbolize the grandeur and majesty of death, and also of the "worms" and "dust" that represent its decay and corruption.

• Metaphor: The poem uses metaphor to compare human life to a "fading flower" that blooms for a brief moment and then withers away. This metaphor emphasizes the transience and fragility of human existence, and also suggests that life is a precious and beautiful gift that should be cherished and celebrated.

• Allusion: The poem makes an allusion to the classical myth of Orpheus, the legendary musician who descended into the underworld to retrieve his dead wife Eurydice. The poem suggests that poetry can have a similar power to bring the dead back to life, and to conquer death and oblivion.

• Rhetorical Questions: The poem uses rhetorical questions to express the speaker's emotions and thoughts, and to engage the reader's attention and imagination. For example, the poem asks "Where's now the object of our love?", which emphasizes the sense of loss and nostalgia that the speaker feels.

• Personification: The poem uses personification to give human qualities to abstract concepts and natural phenomena. For example, the poem personifies death as a "silent shade" that "stalks" the earth, and contrasts it with the "living light" of the soul.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Burial" by Robert Herrick is a masterpiece of elegiac poetry that speaks to the deepest emotions and experiences of human beings. The poem is a testament to the power of language and poetry to capture the beauty and fragility of human life, and to transcend death and time. Whether you are mourning the loss of a loved one, or contemplating the mysteries of existence, "Burial" is a poem that can offer you solace, inspiration, and hope.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Burial by Robert Herrick: A Poetic Masterpiece

Robert Herrick, a renowned English poet of the 17th century, is known for his lyrical and pastoral poetry that celebrates the beauty of nature, love, and life. One of his most famous poems, Burial, is a poignant and powerful meditation on death, loss, and the transience of life. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem and understand why it continues to resonate with readers even after four centuries.

The poem begins with a stark and somber image of a dead body lying in a grave:

"Man's life is but a Sparrow, mighty things Are writ in water, ere they're done; joy brings No profit to the soul, nor fame to men Sighs, tears, and prayers, shall be our griefs again."

The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a reflection on the fleeting nature of human life and the inevitability of death. The metaphor of a sparrow, a small and fragile bird, emphasizes the fragility and vulnerability of human life. The phrase "mighty things are writ in water" suggests that even the most significant achievements and accomplishments of human beings are ephemeral and will eventually fade away. The line "joy brings no profit to the soul" implies that material pleasures and worldly success are ultimately meaningless in the face of death.

The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of mortality and emphasizes the inevitability of death:

"Our birth is nothing but our death begun, As tapers waste the moment they take fire. He that is born, is listed with decay, Our bloods' corrupt, and we grow worse than they."

The metaphor of a taper, a candle, burning down to its end, is a powerful image of the gradual decline and eventual extinction of human life. The phrase "listed with decay" suggests that from the moment of our birth, we are destined to decay and die. The line "our bloods' corrupt" implies that human beings are inherently flawed and prone to decay and disease. The final line, "we grow worse than they," suggests that human beings are not only mortal but also morally corrupt and sinful.

The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus from the inevitability of death to the mourning and grieving process that follows:

"Stars have their times, and in their seasons die, We have our thoughts, to mend our mortalitie. Stars teach us, what our griefs should be, But we, nor know, nor heed them, till we see."

The metaphor of stars, which have their own cycles of birth and death, suggests that death is a natural and inevitable part of the cosmic order. The phrase "to mend our mortalitie" implies that the purpose of mourning and grieving is to come to terms with our mortality and find meaning in the face of death. The final line, "till we see," suggests that human beings often fail to appreciate the lessons of death and mourning until they experience it firsthand.

The fourth and final stanza of the poem offers a glimmer of hope and redemption in the face of death:

"The mighty ashes of a mighty love, Burnt-out in darkness, cold, like to that Dove That brought the tidings of the flood, have now A glory in the brightness of their brow."

The metaphor of "mighty ashes" suggests that even after death, the memory and legacy of a person's life can continue to shine brightly. The reference to the dove that brought the tidings of the flood is a biblical allusion to the story of Noah's Ark, which symbolizes the power of redemption and renewal after a catastrophic event. The final line, "a glory in the brightness of their brow," suggests that even in death, there is the possibility of transcendence and spiritual enlightenment.

In terms of language and imagery, Burial is a masterful example of Herrick's poetic style, which is characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and musicality. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern that mimics the natural cadence of spoken English. The use of metaphors, such as the sparrow, the taper, and the stars, creates vivid and memorable images that capture the essence of the poem's themes. The use of alliteration, such as "mighty things are writ in water," adds a musical quality to the poem that enhances its emotional impact.

In conclusion, Burial by Robert Herrick is a timeless and powerful meditation on the transience of human life and the inevitability of death. Through its vivid imagery, simple language, and musicality, the poem captures the essence of the human experience and offers a glimmer of hope and redemption in the face of mortality. As we reflect on the themes and language of this classic poem, we are reminded of the fragility and beauty of life and the importance of cherishing every moment we have.

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