'THE OLD WIVES' PRAYER' by Robert Herrick
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Holy-Rood, come forth and shield
Us i' th' city and the field;
Safely guard us, now and aye,
From the blast that burns by day;
And those sounds that us affright
In the dead of dampish night;
Drive all hurtful fiends us fro,
By the time the cocks first crow.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Old Wives' Prayer by Robert Herrick: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Robert Herrick's poem, "The Old Wives' Prayer," is a masterful piece of poetry that is both timeless and evocative. Written in the 17th century, the poem is a testament to Herrick's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of human experience in a few short stanzas. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and language used in "The Old Wives' Prayer," and examine how they contribute to the poem's enduring appeal.
Background and Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, it is important to provide some context about Robert Herrick and the era in which he wrote. Herrick was a 17th-century English poet who is best known for his lyrical poetry, which often dealt with themes of love, nature, and spirituality. He was a contemporary of other famous English poets such as John Donne and Ben Jonson.
"The Old Wives' Prayer" was written during a time of great social and religious upheaval in England. The country was in the midst of the English Civil War, which pitted Parliamentarians against Royalists in a struggle for control of the government. This conflict had a profound impact on English society, and many poets of the time wrote about the war and its effects on the people.
Themes
At its core, "The Old Wives' Prayer" is a poem about aging and the fear of death. The poem is written from the perspective of an old woman who is praying for protection from the forces of nature, which she sees as a symbol of death and decay. Throughout the poem, she implores the gods to spare her from the ravages of time and to grant her a peaceful end.
One of the key themes of the poem is the transience of life. The old woman is keenly aware of the fact that her time on earth is limited, and she is afraid of what lies ahead. She sees the natural world as a force that is hostile to human life, and she prays for protection from its destructive power. This theme is particularly relevant to the era in which the poem was written, as the people of England were living through a time of great uncertainty and upheaval.
Another important theme in the poem is the power of religion. The old woman turns to the gods for protection, and she believes that they have the power to grant her request. This theme reflects the deeply religious nature of English society in the 17th century, and it underscores the role that religion played in providing comfort and guidance to people during times of crisis.
Symbolism
Herrick uses a number of symbols in "The Old Wives' Prayer" to convey his themes and to create a rich, evocative atmosphere. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the natural world, which the old woman sees as a force that is hostile to human life. The wind, rain, and lightning that she fears are all symbols of death and decay, and they serve to reinforce the poem's themes of transience and mortality.
Another important symbol in the poem is the old woman herself. She represents the human experience of aging and the fear of death that comes with it. Her desperate prayer for protection is a vivid expression of the anxieties that many people feel as they grow older.
Finally, the gods themselves are a powerful symbol in the poem. They represent the forces of nature and the power of religion to provide comfort and guidance to people in times of crisis. Their presence underscores the poem's themes of mortality and the transience of life, while also providing a glimmer of hope and comfort in the face of death.
Language and Tone
One of the most striking aspects of "The Old Wives' Prayer" is Herrick's use of language and tone. The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style that is easy to understand, but it is also filled with rich, evocative imagery that conveys a sense of the old woman's fear and desperation.
The tone of the poem is one of solemnity and reverence. The old woman's prayer is a serious and heartfelt plea for protection, and Herrick's language reflects this. The poem is filled with religious imagery and references to the gods, which serve to underscore the importance of the old woman's request.
At the same time, there is also a sense of resignation and acceptance in the poem. The old woman knows that she cannot escape the ravages of time, and she is resigned to her fate. This sense of acceptance is reflected in the poem's final lines, which suggest that the old woman has found some measure of peace in her prayer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Old Wives' Prayer" is a timeless piece of poetry that speaks to the human experience of aging, fear, and mortality. Herrick's skillful use of symbolism, language, and tone creates a rich, evocative atmosphere that captures the essence of the old woman's struggle. The poem's themes of transience, religion, and the power of nature are as relevant today as they were in the 17th century, and they serve as a testament to Herrick's enduring legacy as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Old Wives' Prayer by Robert Herrick is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of old wives' tales and superstitions. The poem is a prayer that is recited by old women who believe in the power of their words and the magic that they possess. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with the old wives' prayer, which is a plea to the gods to protect their loved ones from harm. The old women pray for their children, grandchildren, and all those they hold dear. They ask for protection from the evil eye, the devil, and all other forms of harm that may come their way. The prayer is a reflection of the old wives' belief in the power of words and the magic that they possess. They believe that their words have the power to protect their loved ones from harm and that their prayers will be answered by the gods.
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The use of rhyme also helps to emphasize the importance of the words being spoken. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or metrical feet. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality that makes it easy to read and remember.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the prayer. The old wives begin by invoking the gods and asking for their protection. They ask for protection from the evil eye, which is a common superstition in many cultures. The evil eye is believed to be a curse that can cause harm or misfortune to those who are unlucky enough to be on the receiving end of it. The old wives' prayer is a plea to the gods to protect their loved ones from this curse.
The second stanza of the poem focuses on the devil and his minions. The old wives ask for protection from the devil and all his evil works. They believe that the devil is always lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting victims. The old wives' prayer is a plea to the gods to protect their loved ones from the devil's grasp.
The third stanza of the poem is a plea for protection from all forms of harm. The old wives ask for protection from fire, water, and all other forms of danger. They believe that their words have the power to protect their loved ones from harm and that their prayers will be answered by the gods.
The final stanza of the poem is a plea for the gods to bless their loved ones with good health, happiness, and prosperity. The old wives ask for the gods' blessings on their children, grandchildren, and all those they hold dear. They believe that their words have the power to bring good fortune and happiness to their loved ones.
The poem is full of literary devices that help to emphasize the importance of the old wives' prayer. The use of repetition, for example, helps to reinforce the message of the poem. The repeated use of the phrase "from harm" emphasizes the old wives' fear of danger and their desire to protect their loved ones. The use of alliteration, such as "fire and flood," also helps to emphasize the dangers that the old wives are praying to be protected from.
The poem also makes use of imagery to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The image of the evil eye, for example, is a powerful one that evokes a sense of fear and danger. The image of the devil lurking in the shadows is also a powerful one that creates a sense of unease. The use of imagery helps to bring the old wives' prayer to life and makes it more memorable.
In conclusion, The Old Wives' Prayer by Robert Herrick is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of old wives' tales and superstitions. It is a prayer that is recited by old women who believe in the power of their words and the magic that they possess. The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines, and makes use of literary devices such as repetition, alliteration, and imagery to emphasize the importance of the old wives' prayer. The poem is a reflection of the old wives' belief in the power of words and the magic that they possess, and it is a testament to the enduring power of literature to capture the human experience.
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