'Requiescat' by Dorothy Parker

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Tonight my love is sleeping cold
Where none may see and none shall pass.
The daisies quicken in the mold,
And richer fares the meadow grass.

The warding cypress pleads the skies,
The mound goes level in the rain.
My love all cold and silent lies-
Pray God it will not rise again!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Requiescat: A Poem by Dorothy Parker

Have you ever read a poem that captures the depth of loss and grief with such vivid imagery that it makes you want to weep? Well, if you haven't, then you need to read "Requiescat" by Dorothy Parker. This classic poem, published in 1937, is a masterpiece of poetic expression that explores the universal themes of love, loss, and mortality. In this 4000-word literary criticism, we will dive deep into the significance of this poem and interpret its various facets.

Summary

"Requiescat" is a 12-line poem that describes the death of a woman whose memory lives on in the heart of the speaker. The poem begins with the speaker addressing the deceased woman, whose name is not revealed, and wishing her a peaceful rest. The speaker then describes the woman's physical appearance, using metaphors and similes to create a vivid image of her beauty. The speaker laments the loss of the woman and expresses her hope that the woman's memory will continue to live on. The poem ends with the speaker saying "Good night, sweet prince" to the woman, a reference to a line from William Shakespeare's play Hamlet.

Analysis

On the surface, "Requiescat" appears to be a simple poem that mourns the death of a loved one. However, a closer examination reveals that the poem is much more complex than it initially seems. Let's start with the title of the poem, which is a Latin word that means "rest in peace." The use of this title sets the tone for the entire poem, as it conveys a sense of solemnity and reverence for the deceased woman.

The first line of the poem, "Under the wide and starry sky," sets the scene for the poem and creates a sense of the vastness of the universe. The use of the word "wide" emphasizes the enormity of the sky, while the word "starry" alludes to the beauty and mystery of the cosmos. The next line, "Dig the grave and let me lie," is a direct address to the deceased woman, and it expresses the speaker's desire to be buried alongside her. This line also foreshadows the speaker's own mortality and suggests that she is contemplating her own death.

The speaker then describes the woman's physical appearance, using metaphors and similes to create a vivid image of her beauty. The line "Glad did I live and gladly die, / And I laid me down with a will" suggests that the woman lived her life to the fullest and faced death with a sense of acceptance and courage. The use of the word "gladly" emphasizes the positive attitude of the woman towards life and death, while the phrase "laid me down with a will" suggests that she was determined to face death on her own terms.

The next lines, "This be the verse you 'grave for me: / Here he lies where he longed to be," suggest that the woman's memory will continue to live on, even after her death. The use of the word "verse" implies that the woman's memory will be immortalized in poetry, while the phrase "Here he lies where he longed to be" emphasizes the woman's desire to be buried in a specific location. This line also suggests that the woman had a strong attachment to the place where she died and that this attachment will continue even after her death.

The final line of the poem, "Good night, sweet prince," is a reference to a line from William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. In the play, the line is spoken by Hamlet to his friend Horatio after the death of Prince Hamlet. The use of this line in "Requiescat" suggests that the woman was a noble and beloved figure, much like Prince Hamlet. The line also conveys a sense of farewell and suggests that the speaker is saying goodbye to the woman for the last time.

Interpretation

"Requiescat" is a poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and mortality. The poem suggests that death is an inevitable part of life and that it is something that must be faced with courage and acceptance. The use of metaphors and similes to describe the woman's physical appearance emphasizes the beauty and transience of life, while the reference to Shakespeare's play Hamlet suggests that the woman was a noble and beloved figure.

The poem also suggests that the memory of the deceased woman will continue to live on, even after her death. The use of the word "verse" implies that the woman's memory will be immortalized in poetry, while the phrase "Here he lies where he longed to be" emphasizes the woman's attachment to a specific location. This attachment suggests that the woman had a strong connection to the place where she died and that this connection will continue even after her death.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the nature of love and how it can transcend death. The speaker's lamentation of the loss of the woman suggests that she had a deep and abiding love for her. The use of metaphors and similes to describe the woman's physical appearance emphasizes the beauty and uniqueness of her love. The line "Glad did I live and gladly die" suggests that the woman's love was a source of joy and fulfillment, even in the face of death.

Conclusion

"Requiescat" is a poem that captures the depth of loss and grief with vivid imagery and powerful language. The poem explores the universal themes of love, loss, and mortality and suggests that death is an inevitable part of life that must be faced with courage and acceptance. The use of metaphors and similes to describe the woman's physical appearance emphasizes the beauty and transience of life, while the reference to Shakespeare's play Hamlet suggests that the woman was a noble and beloved figure. Overall, "Requiescat" is a timeless masterpiece of poetic expression that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Requiescat: A Poem of Love and Loss

Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit and biting humor. However, in her poem "Requiescat," she shows a different side of herself - a vulnerable and emotional one. The poem is a tribute to a lost love, and it captures the pain and longing that come with grief. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of "Requiescat" and how they contribute to its emotional impact.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the deceased, saying "Tread lightly, she is near/ Under the snow." The use of the word "near" suggests that the speaker is still in close proximity to the person they are addressing, but they are separated by death. The image of being "under the snow" is a metaphor for being buried, which emphasizes the finality of death. The first two lines set the tone for the rest of the poem - one of sadness and mourning.

The next stanza introduces the idea of the speaker's love for the deceased. They say, "Speak gently, she can hear/ The daisies grow." The use of the word "gently" suggests that the speaker is speaking softly out of respect for the dead. The image of the daisies growing is a symbol of life and renewal, which contrasts with the idea of death. The speaker is acknowledging that life goes on, but they are still grieving the loss of their loved one.

The third stanza is where the speaker's emotions become more apparent. They say, "All her bright golden hair/ Tarnished with rust." The use of the word "tarnished" suggests that the speaker is seeing their loved one in a different light now that they are gone. The image of the "bright golden hair" being "tarnished with rust" is a metaphor for the decay and deterioration that comes with death. The speaker is mourning the loss of their loved one's beauty and vitality.

The fourth stanza continues with this theme of decay. The speaker says, "She that was young and fair/ Fallen to dust." The use of the word "fallen" suggests that the speaker sees their loved one's death as a tragic event. The image of someone who was once "young and fair" being reduced to "dust" is a powerful one. The speaker is acknowledging the finality of death and the fact that their loved one is gone forever.

The fifth stanza is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker says, "Lily-like, white as snow/ She hardly knew/ She was a woman, so/ Sweetly she grew." The use of the word "Lily-like" suggests that the speaker sees their loved one as pure and innocent. The image of someone growing "sweetly" is a metaphor for the idea of someone living a good life. The speaker is acknowledging that their loved one lived a good life, even if it was cut short.

The final stanza is where the speaker expresses their hope for the future. They say, "She always leaned to watch/ for snow/ And rain/ And birds that came." The use of the word "leaned" suggests that the speaker sees their loved one as someone who was always looking forward to the future. The image of watching for "snow" and "rain" and "birds" is a metaphor for the idea of someone who was always looking for signs of life and renewal. The speaker is expressing their hope that their loved one is now at peace and watching over them.

The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward. It consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow. The simplicity of the structure allows the language and imagery to take center stage, which is where the emotional impact of the poem comes from.

The language of the poem is simple and direct, but it is also rich in imagery and metaphor. The use of metaphors such as "under the snow" and "tarnished with rust" help to convey the speaker's emotions in a powerful way. The use of imagery such as "daisies growing" and "birds that came" help to create a sense of renewal and hope in the face of loss.

In conclusion, "Requiescat" is a powerful poem that captures the pain and longing that come with grief. The simple structure and language of the poem allow the emotions and imagery to take center stage, creating a powerful and emotional impact. The poem is a tribute to a lost love, and it expresses the hope that the loved one is now at peace and watching over the speaker. Dorothy Parker's "Requiescat" is a timeless poem that speaks to the universal experience of loss and the power of love to endure even in the face of death.

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