'Portrait' by Robert Service
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Painter, would you make my picture?
Just forget the moral stricture.
Let me sit
With my belly to the table,
Swilling all the wine I'm able,
Pip a-lit;
Not a stiff and stuffy croaker
In a frock coat and a choker
Let me be;
But a rollicking old fellow
With a visage ripe and mellow
As you see.
Just a twinkle-eyed old codger,
And of death as artful dodger,
Such I am;
I defy the Doc's advising
And I don't for sermonising
Care a damn.
Though Bill Shakespeare had in his dome
Both - I'd rather wit than wisdom
For my choice;
In the glug glug of the bottle,
As I tip it down my throttle,
I rejoice.
Paint me neither sour not soulful,
For I would not have folks doleful
When I go;
So if to my shade you're quaffing
I would rather see you laughing,
As you know.
In Life's Great Experiment
I'll have heaps of merriment
E're I pass;
And though devil beckons me,
And I've many a speck on me,
Maybe some will recon me -
Worth a glass.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Portrait by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery
Have you ever come across a poem that captures your heart in a single read? One that speaks to you on a deep, emotional level and leaves you pondering over its meaning long after you've put the book down? That is the kind of effect that Robert Service's Portrait has on its readers.
Portrait is a classic poem that was first published in 1910 in Service's book called Ballads of a Bohemian. It is a piece of poetry that is rich in imagery, narrative, and emotion, and it has stood the test of time, becoming one of the most beloved works of literature in the 20th century.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the meaning and significance of Portrait, exploring the themes, the language, and the style of the poem. We will examine how Service uses poetic devices to create vivid imagery, how he weaves a compelling narrative, and how he captures the essence of human emotion in his words.
So, let's begin our journey into the world of Portrait and discover why this poem is considered a masterpiece of poetic art.
The Themes of Portrait
At its core, Portrait is a poem about love, loss, and memory. It is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the all-consuming power of passion. The poem tells the story of a man who has lost his beloved and is left with only a portrait to remember her by. The portrait becomes a symbol of their love, a physical representation of the emotions that once flowed between them.
The central theme of the poem is the idea of memory and how it shapes our perception of reality. The narrator of the poem is haunted by the image of his lost love, and he clings to the portrait as a way of keeping her memory alive. The poem is a meditation on the power of memory to influence our emotions and shape our lives.
Another important theme in Portrait is the notion of time and how it affects our relationships. The poem is set in the past, and the narrator looks back on his relationship with his beloved with a sense of longing and regret. He reflects on how fleeting their time together was and how quickly it slipped away. The poem is a reminder that our relationships are finite and that we must cherish the time we have with those we love.
The Language of Portrait
One of the most striking aspects of Portrait is the language that Service uses to convey his ideas. The poem is written in a simple yet evocative style, with vivid imagery and sensory detail that brings the world of the poem to life.
Service uses a range of poetic devices to create this effect, including metaphors, similes, and personification. For example, in the first stanza, he uses a metaphor to describe the portrait: "A stiffly posed and stilted lady / in garb austere and drear." The use of the word "stiffly" and "stilted" creates a sense of rigidity and formality, while the phrase "garb austere and drear" suggests a somber mood.
Throughout the poem, Service uses sensory detail to create a vivid picture of the world he is describing. For example, he describes the portrait as having "eyes that are deep as a lover's prayer / and wistful withal and queer." The use of the word "deep" creates a sense of emotional intensity, while the phrase "wistful withal and queer" suggests a sense of melancholy and strangeness.
Service's use of language is particularly effective in his description of the narrator's emotions. He uses metaphors and similes to create a sense of intense feeling, such as when he describes the narrator's heart as "a firefly in the night / alight with love and fear." The use of these poetic devices creates a vivid picture of the narrator's emotions and helps the reader to empathize with his struggle.
The Style of Portrait
The style of Portrait is characterized by its narrative structure and its use of imagery to convey emotion. The poem is written in a series of stanzas, each of which tells a part of the story. The narrative structure is linear, with each stanza following on from the one before, and the poem builds to a climax with the final stanza.
Service's use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the emotions of the narrator. He uses a range of images to create a sense of longing, loss, and regret. For example, he describes the narrator's heart as "a fretful bird / beating against its prison bars." This image creates a sense of restlessness and yearning, as if the narrator is trapped by his own emotions.
Another effective use of imagery is in the description of the portrait itself. Service uses a range of images to create a vivid picture of the woman in the portrait, such as when he describes her eyes as "deep as a lover's prayer." This creates a sense of emotional intensity, as if the woman's gaze is reaching out to the viewer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Portrait is a masterpiece of poetic imagery and emotional depth. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and captures the essence of human emotion in its words. Service's use of language, style, and narrative structure creates a vivid picture of a lost love and the power of memory to shape our lives.
The themes of love, loss, and memory are universal, and Portrait resonates with readers across generations. It is a poem that reminds us of the fragility and beauty of our relationships, and the importance of cherishing the time we have with those we love. Robert Service's Portrait is a true masterpiece of poetic art, and it will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Portrait by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression
Robert Service, the renowned poet of the early 20th century, is known for his vivid and evocative descriptions of the human experience. His poem, Portrait, is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of a person's life in a few short stanzas. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in Portrait to understand the depth and beauty of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a portrait of a man that hangs on the wall. The man in the portrait is described as "a man of middle age" who has "lived in this world for half a century." The speaker then goes on to describe the man's physical appearance, noting his "deep-set eyes" and "lines of care" etched into his face. The portrait is a snapshot of a moment in time, frozen in paint, but the speaker is able to glean much more from it than just a visual representation of the man.
The first theme that emerges in Portrait is the passage of time. The man in the portrait has lived for half a century, and the lines on his face are evidence of the trials and tribulations he has faced over the years. The speaker notes that the man's eyes are "deep-set," suggesting that he has seen much in his life, and the lines of care on his face indicate that he has weathered many storms. The portrait is a reminder that time waits for no one, and that we are all subject to its relentless march.
Another theme that emerges in Portrait is the idea of mortality. The man in the portrait is described as being "of middle age," which suggests that he is at the halfway point of his life. The speaker notes that the man's face is "etched with lines of care," which suggests that he has faced his fair share of challenges and hardships. The portrait is a reminder that we are all mortal, and that our time on this earth is finite. It is a call to live our lives to the fullest, to make the most of the time we have, and to leave a lasting legacy behind.
The imagery used in Portrait is both vivid and evocative. The speaker describes the man's eyes as "deep-set," which suggests a sense of wisdom and experience. The lines on his face are described as "etched with care," which conjures up an image of a man who has faced many challenges in his life. The portrait itself is described as being "framed in gold," which suggests that the man is of some importance or significance. The use of color in the poem is also noteworthy, with the gold frame contrasting with the "lines of care" on the man's face. This contrast serves to highlight the passage of time and the toll it takes on all of us.
The language used in Portrait is simple yet powerful. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter, which gives it a sense of spontaneity and naturalness. The use of repetition is also effective, with the phrase "lines of care" repeated twice in the poem. This repetition serves to emphasize the toll that time takes on us all, and the importance of living our lives to the fullest. The use of alliteration is also effective, with the phrase "framed in gold" serving to draw attention to the importance of the man in the portrait.
In conclusion, Portrait is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of a person's life in a few short stanzas. The themes of time and mortality are explored through vivid and evocative imagery, and the language used is simple yet powerful. The poem is a reminder that we are all subject to the passage of time, and that our time on this earth is finite. It is a call to live our lives to the fullest, to make the most of the time we have, and to leave a lasting legacy behind. Portrait is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to Robert Service's skill as a poet.
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