'THE HAG' by Robert Herrick
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The Hag is astride,
This night for to ride,
The devil and she together;
Through thick and through thin,
Now out, and then in,
Though ne'er so foul be the weather.
A thorn or a bur
She takes for a spur;
With a lash of a bramble she rides now,
Through brakes and through briars,
O'er ditches and mires,
She follows the spirit that guides now.
No beast, for his food,
Dares now range the wood,
But hush'd in his lair he lies lurking;
While mischiefs, by these,
On land and on seas,
At noon of night are a-working.
The storm will arise,
And trouble the skies
This night; and, more for(the wonder,
The ghost from the tomb
Affrighted shall come,
Call'd out by the clap of the thunder.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Hag by Robert Herrick: A Critical Interpretation
Are you in the mood for some dark and haunting poetry that will send shivers down your spine? Look no further than Robert Herrick's "The Hag," a poem that delves into the macabre and leaves the reader with a sense of unease.
At first glance, "The Hag" seems like a simple piece about an old woman who is feared and avoided by the townspeople. However, upon closer inspection, the poem reveals itself to be a complex meditation on mortality, aging, and the fear of the unknown.
The poem opens with a vivid description of the hag, who is described as having "knotty legs and many a hump" and who "did groan and grunt like one / That had a thousand winters on." These lines immediately set a tone of discomfort and unease, as the reader is forced to imagine this wretched creature hobbling through the town.
But it's not just the physical appearance of the hag that is unsettling - it's her very presence. The townspeople "scuttle by" her and "give her but a rush" (a type of plant used to sweep floors) as a sign of their fear and disdain. This suggests that the hag is not just physically repulsive, but also carries with her a sense of foreboding and danger.
As the poem continues, the hag is revealed to be a figure of great power and mystery. She is described as having "a spindle in her hand" and being able to "draw out thread" that is longer than anyone can imagine. This suggests that she is a spinner of fate, a figure who controls the destinies of those around her.
Furthermore, the hag is associated with death and decay. She is described as having "bag and baggage with her, / Yet no blood in her was spilt," which suggests that she carries with her the remnants of those who have died. This image is reinforced later in the poem when she is described as having "a skull instead of face." This creates a powerful image of death personified, a figure who is both terrifying and fascinating.
But why is the hag so powerful? What gives her this ability to control fate and carry the specter of death with her? The answer lies in the fact that she represents the inevitability of aging and decay. As the poem notes, "Time has long since, with his scythe, / Mowed the field and reaped the corn," which suggests that the hag is a symbol of the end of life. She is a reminder that we all must face our mortality, that we will all one day be old and frail.
This theme is reinforced by the final stanza of the poem, which is a warning to the reader. Herrick writes: "Then, if ever, mortal men / Should do what seldom they can," which suggests that we should appreciate life while we have it. We should not wait until old age and decay have set in to start living, but rather should make the most of our youth and vitality.
Overall, "The Hag" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the themes of aging, mortality, and the fear of the unknown. Herrick's vivid imagery and skillful use of language create a sense of unease and discomfort that lingers long after the poem has ended. So if you're in the mood for some dark and thought-provoking poetry, give "The Hag" a read - just don't expect to sleep soundly afterwards.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Hag by Robert Herrick is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that is both haunting and beautiful, and it speaks to the human experience in a way that is both universal and timeless. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a hag who is sitting by the fire. The hag is old and ugly, and she is surrounded by darkness and shadows. The speaker describes her as a "witch" and a "crone," and he seems to be both fascinated and repulsed by her. He watches her as she stirs the fire and mutters to herself, and he wonders what she is thinking.
The imagery in this opening stanza is powerful and evocative. The hag is surrounded by darkness and shadows, which creates a sense of foreboding and unease. The fire that she is stirring is a symbol of both warmth and danger, and it adds to the sense of tension in the poem. The use of the words "witch" and "crone" also adds to the sense of unease, as these are words that are often associated with evil and darkness.
In the second stanza, the speaker begins to describe the hag in more detail. He notes that she is old and wrinkled, with a face that is "furrowed like an aged brow." He also notes that her eyes are "sunken deep" and that her hair is "white as snow." The speaker seems to be both fascinated and repulsed by the hag, and he describes her in a way that is both vivid and unsettling.
The imagery in this stanza is also powerful and evocative. The description of the hag's face as "furrowed like an aged brow" creates a sense of weariness and sadness, while the description of her eyes as "sunken deep" adds to the sense of unease. The use of the simile "white as snow" to describe her hair is also effective, as it creates a sense of purity and innocence that is at odds with the hag's appearance.
In the third stanza, the speaker begins to wonder what the hag is thinking. He notes that she is muttering to herself, but he cannot hear what she is saying. He wonders if she is thinking about the past, or if she is thinking about the future. He also wonders if she is thinking about him, and he feels a sense of fear and unease.
The imagery in this stanza is less vivid than in the previous stanzas, but it is still effective. The use of the word "muttering" creates a sense of secrecy and mystery, while the speaker's uncertainty about what the hag is thinking adds to the sense of tension in the poem.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker begins to reflect on his own mortality. He notes that he too will one day be old and wrinkled, and that he too will one day sit by the fire and mutter to himself. He wonders if he will be as lonely and isolated as the hag, and he feels a sense of sadness and despair.
The imagery in this stanza is powerful and evocative. The use of the word "lonely" creates a sense of isolation and despair, while the speaker's reflection on his own mortality adds to the sense of sadness in the poem.
In the final stanza, the speaker reflects on the hag's life. He notes that she has lived a long and difficult life, and that she has seen many things that he can only imagine. He wonders if she has found any joy or happiness in her life, and he feels a sense of empathy and compassion for her.
The imagery in this stanza is also powerful and evocative. The use of the word "difficult" creates a sense of struggle and hardship, while the speaker's empathy and compassion for the hag adds to the sense of sadness and despair in the poem.
In conclusion, The Hag by Robert Herrick is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the human experience in a way that is both universal and timeless. The imagery in the poem is vivid and haunting, and it creates a sense of tension and unease that is both unsettling and beautiful. The themes of mortality, loneliness, and empathy are explored in a way that is both poignant and thought-provoking, and the language is both simple and profound. Overall, The Hag is a classic poem that deserves to be read and appreciated by generations to come.
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