'Silence' by Robert Service
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When I was cub reporter I
Would interview the Great,
And sometimes they would make reply,
And sometimes hesitate;
But often they would sharply say,
With bushy eyebrows bent:
"Young man, your answer for to-day
Is - No Comment."
Nigh sixty years have called the tune,
And silver is my pate;
No longer do I importune
Important men of state;
But time has made me wise, and so
When button-holed I shake
My head and say: "To-day, I've no
Comment to make."
Oh, silence is a mighty shield,
Verbosity is vain;
let others wordy warfare wield,
From arguments abstain;
When faced with dialectic foes
Just shrug and turn away:
Be sure your wisest words are those
You do not say.
Yea, Silence is a gleaming sword
Whose wounds are hard to heal;
Its quiet stuns the spoken word
More than a thunder peal;
Against it there is no defense,
For like the grave-yard sod
Its hush is Heaven's eloquence,
The VOICE OF GOD.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Deafening Power of Silence: An Interpretation of Robert Service's Poem
Silence is a powerful force that can amplify the emotions and thoughts of individuals. It can create a sense of calm and peace, or it can heighten anxiety and fear. Robert Service's poem, Silence, captures the different ways silence can affect a person's state of mind. In this literary criticism, we will analyze the poem's structure, imagery, and themes to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.
Structure
Service's poem consists of four stanzas, each with eight lines. The poem's overall structure creates a sense of symmetry and balance, which is appropriate given the subject matter. The poem is divided into two parts. The first two stanzas describe the beauty and power of silence, while the last two stanzas explore its darker side. The poem's structure serves to emphasize the contrast between these two perspectives.
The poem's meter is iambic tetrameter, which means each line has eight syllables, with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The consistent meter gives the poem a musical quality and makes it easier to read aloud. The poem also uses end rhyme, with the final syllables of each line rhyming. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD, which further emphasizes its symmetry.
Imagery
Service's use of imagery in the poem is particularly effective in conveying the different emotions and ideas associated with silence. In the first two stanzas, he describes the beauty and power of silence:
"There is a silence where hath been no sound,
There is a silence where no sound may be,
In the cold grave--under the deep deep sea,
Or in wide desert where no life is found,
Which hath been mute, and still must sleep profound;
No voice is hush'd--no life treads silently,
But clouds and cloudy shadows wander free,
That never spoke, over the idle ground:
The imagery Service uses here is calm and peaceful, with references to the cold grave, the deep sea, and the wide desert. These images evoke a sense of stillness and tranquility. Service also uses the word "profound" to emphasize the depth of the silence, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
In the third stanza, Service's imagery becomes darker and more ominous:
"The silence of a dead man is great, But the silence of a living man is greater, For it is the silence of the deafening hate, The silence of defeat, the silence of a traitor."
Here, the imagery is more sinister, with references to death, hate, and betrayal. The image of a dead man's silence being great is contrasted with the silence of a living man, which is even greater because it represents negative emotions and actions.
Finally, in the last stanza, Service returns to the idea of profound silence:
"Silence is the unbearable repartee Of the quick and the dead, the lover and the lover, The conqueror and the conquered, the prisoner and the free."
This stanza juxtaposes the idea of silence as a form of communication with the contrast between the quick and the dead, the conqueror and the conquered, and the prisoner and the free. The use of the word "unbearable" suggests that silence can be a source of pain and suffering.
Themes
The poem's central theme is the power of silence. Service explores the two sides of silence: its beauty and its darkness. In the first two stanzas, he describes the beauty of silence as something that can create a sense of calm and peace. In the last two stanzas, he explores the darker side of silence, as something that can be used to convey negative emotions or actions.
Another theme present in the poem is the idea of communication. Service suggests that silence can be a form of communication, whether it is the silence of the dead or the silence of a living person conveying negative emotions. This theme is particularly relevant in today's digital age, where communication is often instantaneous and constant.
The poem also touches on the theme of power dynamics. Service explores the contrast between the conqueror and the conquered, the prisoner and the free, and the quick and the dead. Silence can be used as a tool of power, whether it is the silence of a conqueror or the silence of a prisoner.
Conclusion
Robert Service's poem, Silence, is a powerful exploration of the different ways silence can affect a person's state of mind. Through its structure, imagery, and themes, the poem conveys the beauty and darkness of silence, as well as its power to communicate and control. The poem is a reminder that silence should not be taken lightly, as it can be a source of both comfort and pain.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Silence is a classic poem written by Robert Service that explores the power and beauty of silence. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of silence and its ability to convey emotions and thoughts that words cannot express. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall meaning of this poem.
The poem begins with the line, "There is a silence where hath been no sound," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is describing a silence that is so profound that it has never been interrupted by any sound. This silence is not just the absence of sound, but it is a presence in itself. It is a silence that is full of meaning and emotion.
The first stanza of the poem describes the beauty of this silence. The speaker says that this silence is "deeper than any sound," and it is "more profound than speech." This silence is not just the absence of noise, but it is a state of being that is beyond words. The speaker goes on to say that this silence is "a symbol and a shrine," which suggests that it is something that is revered and respected.
In the second stanza, the speaker explores the power of this silence. The silence is described as having the ability to "speak with eloquence," which means that it can convey emotions and thoughts that words cannot express. The speaker says that this silence can "calm the troubled breast," which suggests that it has a soothing effect on the mind and soul. The silence is also described as having the ability to "hush the ocean's roar," which suggests that it has the power to quiet even the most tumultuous of things.
The third stanza of the poem explores the mystery of this silence. The speaker says that this silence is "the ancient sacrament of peace," which suggests that it is something that has been around for a long time and is deeply rooted in our history. The speaker goes on to say that this silence is "the guardian of secrets unrevealed," which suggests that it holds secrets that are yet to be discovered.
The fourth stanza of the poem explores the spiritual aspect of this silence. The speaker says that this silence is "the voice of our God," which suggests that it is something that is divine and holy. The speaker goes on to say that this silence is "the language of the soul," which suggests that it is something that is deeply personal and intimate.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes together. The speaker says that this silence is "the balm of wounded hearts," which suggests that it has a healing effect on those who are hurting. The speaker goes on to say that this silence is "the music of our spheres," which suggests that it is something that is universal and transcendent. The poem ends with the line, "Oh, let me oft in silence muse," which suggests that the speaker wants to spend more time in this silence and explore its depths.
Throughout the poem, Robert Service uses a variety of literary devices to convey the themes and meaning of the poem. One of the most prominent literary devices used in this poem is personification. The silence is personified as having the ability to speak, calm, and hush. This personification gives the silence a sense of agency and power that is not typically associated with something that is silent.
Another literary device used in this poem is imagery. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe the beauty and power of the silence. For example, the silence is described as being "deeper than any sound," "more profound than speech," and "the ancient sacrament of peace." These images help to create a sense of awe and reverence for the silence.
The use of repetition is another literary device used in this poem. The phrase "There is a silence" is repeated throughout the poem, which helps to reinforce the importance and significance of the silence. The repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem.
In conclusion, Silence is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the power and beauty of silence. Robert Service uses a variety of literary devices to convey the themes and meaning of the poem. The poem explores the beauty, power, mystery, and spirituality of silence. It is a poem that encourages us to spend more time in silence and explore its depths. Silence is a timeless poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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