'Endymion' by Oscar Wilde

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(FOR MUSIC.)

THE apple trees are hung with gold,
And birds are loud in Arcady,
The sheep lie bleating in the fold,
The wild goat runs across the wold,
But yesterday his love he told,
I know he will come back to me.
O rising moon! O Lady moon!
Be you my lover's sentinel,
You cannot choose but know him well,
For he is shod with purple shoon,10
You cannot choose but know my love,
For he a shepherd's crook doth bear,
And he is soft as any dove,
And brown and curly is his hair.

The turtle now has ceased to call
Upon her crimson-footed groom,
The grey wolf prowls about the stall,
The lily's singing seneschal
Sleeps in the lily-bell, and all
The violet hills are lost in gloom.20
O risen moon! O holy moon!
Stand on the top of Helice,
And if my own true love you see,
Ah! if you see the purple shoon,
The hazel crook, the lad's brown hair,
The goat-skin wrapped about his arm,
Tell him that I am waiting where
The rushlight glimmers in the Farm.

The falling dew is cold and chill,
And no bird sings in Arcady,30
The little fauns have left the hill,
Even the tired daffodil
Has closed its gilded doors, and still
My lover comes not back to me.
False moon! False moon! O waning moon!
Where is my own true lover gone,
Where are the lips vermilion,
The shepherd's crook, the purple shoon?
Why spread that silver pavilion,
Why wear that veil of drifting mist?40
Ah! thou hast young Endymion,
Thou hast the lips that should be kissed!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Oscar Wilde's Endymion: A Poetic Odyssey of Love and Beauty

Endymion by Oscar Wilde is a poetic masterpiece that explores the themes of love, beauty, nature, and the human condition. This epic poem is a journey through the life of the shepherd Endymion, who falls in love with the moon goddess, Selene. Endymion's quest for love and beauty takes him through various landscapes, both physical and metaphysical, as he seeks to find his place in the world.

The Poetic Structure of Endymion

Endymion is a long narrative poem structured in four books. Each book represents a different stage in Endymion's journey, as he encounters various challenges and obstacles that test his strength and resolve. The poem is written in a lyrical and musical style, with a rich use of imagery, symbolism, and metaphor. The language is highly ornate and decorative, with a strong emphasis on sound and rhythm. The poem is also highly allusive, drawing on a range of literary and mythological sources, from the Bible to classical mythology.

The Themes of Love and Beauty

The central theme of Endymion is love, specifically, the quest for idealized love and beauty. Endymion is first enamored with Cynthia, the moon goddess, whom he sees in his dreams. His love for Cynthia is a symbol of his longing for something beyond the physical world, something that transcends the limitations of time and space. The poem is also a celebration of beauty, in all its forms. The beauty of nature, the beauty of poetry, and the beauty of love are all explored in Endymion. Wilde's descriptions of the natural world are highly sensual and vivid, capturing the richness and diversity of the landscape.

The Nature of Art and Creativity

Another important theme in Endymion is the nature of art and creativity. Endymion is a poet, and his quest for love and beauty is also a quest for artistic inspiration. The poem can be seen as a reflection of Wilde's own artistic process, as he draws on a range of sources and techniques to create a work of great beauty and complexity. The poem also explores the tension between art and life, as Endymion struggles to balance his creative impulses with his duties as a shepherd.

The Human Condition and the Search for Meaning

Finally, Endymion is a meditation on the human condition and the search for meaning in life. The poem raises profound questions about the nature of existence, the meaning of love, and the purpose of art. Wilde's vision is both romantic and idealistic, yet also deeply skeptical of conventional wisdom and societal norms. The poem challenges us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and to embrace the beauty and wonder of the world around us.

The Significance of Endymion

Endymion is a work of great significance in the canon of English literature. It represents a major achievement in the Romantic tradition, drawing on the themes and techniques of earlier poets such as Wordsworth, Keats, and Shelley. At the same time, it is also a highly original and innovative work, showcasing Wilde's unique voice and vision. Endymion is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities and contradictions of the human experience, and to inspire us to strive for greater beauty and meaning in our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Endymion: A Poem by Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde, the renowned Irish poet, playwright, and novelist, is known for his wit, humor, and flamboyant lifestyle. However, his literary works also reflect his profound understanding of human emotions, nature, and spirituality. One of his most celebrated poems is "Endymion," a romantic and mystical ode to the Greek mythological figure of the same name. In this article, we will delve into the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in "Endymion" and explore its relevance to modern readers.

The Myth of Endymion

Before we analyze the poem, let us first understand the myth of Endymion. According to Greek mythology, Endymion was a handsome shepherd who caught the eye of the moon goddess Selene. She fell in love with him and asked Zeus to grant him eternal youth and sleep, so that she could visit him every night without him aging or dying. Selene would descend from the sky and kiss Endymion while he slept, and he would wake up feeling rejuvenated and in love with her. The myth has been interpreted in various ways, but it is generally seen as a symbol of the eternal longing for love and beauty.

The Poem

"Endymion" is a long narrative poem consisting of four books, each with multiple stanzas and a distinct theme. The poem begins with the narrator describing the beauty of the moonlit landscape and the enchanting presence of Endymion, who is portrayed as a young and innocent dreamer. The first book sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a journey of self-discovery, love, and spiritual awakening.

The second book introduces the character of Cynthia, the moon goddess, who appears to Endymion in a dream and reveals her love for him. She invites him to her palace in the moon and promises to make him immortal if he pledges his love to her. Endymion is torn between his earthly desires and his spiritual aspirations, and he seeks guidance from various sources, including his sister Peona, the philosopher Glaucus, and the poet Adonais. Each of them offers him a different perspective on life and love, but none of them can satisfy his longing for a higher truth.

The third book is the most mystical and symbolic of the four, as Endymion embarks on a visionary quest to find the source of his inspiration and the meaning of his existence. He encounters various allegorical figures, such as the Spirit of the Earth, the Spirit of the Hour, and the Spirit of the Wind, who challenge his beliefs and test his resolve. He also experiences moments of ecstasy and despair, as he realizes the limitations of his mortal body and the vastness of the universe.

The fourth book is the culmination of Endymion's journey, as he finally meets Cynthia in person and confesses his love to her. However, their union is not without obstacles, as they are opposed by the jealous gods and the forces of nature. In the end, Endymion and Cynthia are separated by fate, but their love remains eternal and transcendent.

Themes

"Endymion" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores various themes, such as love, beauty, nature, spirituality, and the human condition. One of the central themes is the quest for transcendence, which is embodied by Endymion's search for a higher truth and his desire to merge with the divine. This theme is reflected in the poem's use of mystical imagery, such as the moon, the stars, and the elements, which symbolize the infinite and the eternal.

Another theme is the tension between the earthly and the spiritual, which is manifested in Endymion's dilemma between his love for Cynthia and his yearning for a deeper meaning. This theme is also reflected in the poem's use of contrasting images, such as light and darkness, joy and sorrow, and life and death, which represent the duality of human existence.

A third theme is the power of imagination and creativity, which is exemplified by Endymion's poetic vision and his ability to transcend the boundaries of reality. This theme is reflected in the poem's use of vivid and imaginative language, which creates a dreamlike and surreal atmosphere.

Symbols

"Endymion" is rich in symbolic imagery, which enhances its mystical and allegorical qualities. Some of the key symbols in the poem include:

• The moon: The moon is a recurring symbol throughout the poem, representing the divine feminine, the source of inspiration, and the gateway to the spiritual realm. It also symbolizes the cyclical nature of life and the eternal longing for love and beauty.

• The stars: The stars represent the infinite and the eternal, as well as the guiding lights that lead Endymion on his quest. They also symbolize the interconnectedness of all things and the cosmic order.

• The elements: The elements, such as earth, air, fire, and water, represent the forces of nature and the primal energies that shape the world. They also symbolize the different aspects of human nature and the need for balance and harmony.

• The palace in the moon: The palace in the moon represents the realm of the divine, the source of all knowledge and beauty. It also symbolizes the ideal of perfection and the unattainable nature of human desires.

Literary Devices

"Endymion" is a masterful example of poetic craftsmanship, as it employs a wide range of literary devices to create a rich and evocative tapestry of words. Some of the key literary devices used in the poem include:

• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid and sensory imagery, which creates a dreamlike and surreal atmosphere. The imagery is often symbolic and allegorical, adding depth and complexity to the poem.

• Metaphor: The poem uses metaphor extensively, comparing various aspects of nature and human experience to other things. For example, the moon is compared to a queen, a goddess, and a lover, while love is compared to a flame, a flower, and a bird.

• Allusion: The poem makes numerous allusions to classical mythology, literature, and philosophy, enriching its cultural and intellectual context. For example, the character of Adonais is a reference to the Greek myth of Adonis, while the philosopher Glaucus is a reference to the Greek philosopher of the same name.

• Personification: The poem personifies various aspects of nature and human experience, giving them human qualities and emotions. For example, the wind is personified as a playful and mischievous spirit, while love is personified as a powerful and irresistible force.

Relevance to Modern Readers

"Endymion" may seem like a relic of the past, with its archaic language and classical references. However, the poem's themes and symbols are timeless and universal, and they resonate with modern readers as much as they did with Wilde's contemporaries. The poem speaks to our eternal longing for love and beauty, our search for meaning and purpose, and our desire to transcend the limitations of our mortal existence. It also celebrates the power of imagination and creativity, which are as relevant today as they were in Wilde's time.

Conclusion

"Endymion" is a masterpiece of romantic and mystical poetry, which showcases Oscar Wilde's literary genius and his profound understanding of human nature and spirituality. The poem is a journey of self-discovery, love, and spiritual awakening, which explores the themes of transcendence, duality, and creativity. It is also a rich tapestry of symbols and literary devices, which create a vivid and evocative world of words. "Endymion" is a timeless and universal work of art, which continues to inspire and enchant readers of all ages and backgrounds.

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