'Long Time I Lay In Little Ease' by Robert Louis Stevenson
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LONG TIME I LAY IN LITTLE EASE
LONG time I lay in little ease
Where, placed by the Turanian,
Marseilles, the many-masted, sees
The blue Mediterranean.
Now songful in the hour of sport,
Now riotous for wages,
She camps around her ancient port,
As ancient of the ages.
Algerian airs through all the place
Unconquerably sally;
Incomparable women pace
The shadows of the alley.
And high o'er dark and graving yard
And where the sky is paler,
The golden virgin of the guard
Shines, beckoning the sailor.
She hears the city roar on high,
Thief, prostitute, and banker;
She sees the masted vessels lie
Immovably at anchor.
She sees the snowy islets dot
The sea's immortal azure,
And If, that castellated spot,
Tower, turret, and embrasure.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Long Time I Lay In Little Ease: A Poetic Exploration of Imprisonment
Robert Louis Stevenson's "Long Time I Lay In Little Ease" is a poem that explores the experience of imprisonment. Through vivid imagery, powerful metaphor, and precise language, Stevenson portrays the psychological struggle of being confined to a small space. The poem reflects the author's own experience of illness and confinement, but it also speaks to a universal human condition of feeling trapped and isolated. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes and techniques that make this poem a timeless masterpiece.
Background of Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish author, best known for his novels "Treasure Island" and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." However, he was also a prolific poet, and his poetry is often overshadowed by his prose works. Stevenson suffered from poor health throughout his life, and he spent long periods of time confined to bed or in hospitals. "Long Time I Lay In Little Ease" reflects this experience of physical and psychological confinement.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with the speaker describing their confinement in a small space:
Long time I lay in little ease where, placed by the Turanian, Mankind, that foul beast, fears to press, Where deep the shuddering prisoner draws The breath of prayer, the Freedom gauds And the mild breeze comes in to bless That mocks me with its cool caress.
The use of the phrase "little ease" immediately conveys a sense of discomfort and constraint. The speaker is clearly in a state of imprisonment, and the Turanian (presumably a reference to a medieval dungeon) is a symbol of the oppressive forces that keep them confined. The reference to "Mankind, that foul beast" suggests a sense of alienation from the rest of humanity. The speaker feels isolated and afraid, and the only relief they get is from the "mild breeze" that mocks them with its freedom.
The second stanza begins with a description of the speaker's physical condition:
There all the fiery night, I lay By breezes lulled from Heaven that play With my unquenchable desire To rise and, with the stars, retire. But ah! my clay was all too weak To follow where the mind would seek.
The use of the phrase "fiery night" suggests a sense of restlessness and agitation. The speaker is unable to sleep, and they are tormented by their desire to be free. The reference to the stars suggests a desire for transcendence, a longing to escape the confines of the material world. However, the speaker's "clay" (i.e. their physical body) is too weak to follow their mind's desire. The poem thus highlights the tension between mind and body, and the psychological struggle that confinement can create.
The third stanza shifts to a more metaphorical exploration of the theme of imprisonment:
And still, methought, the creeping walls A little space must sometime fall, And I, that have not seen the sun For overcounted moons, should run And revel in God's gold and blue And change the heavy hours for few.
The "creeping walls" here symbolize the forces that keep the speaker confined. The metaphor of the walls falling suggests a sense of hope that the speaker will eventually be freed. However, the reference to "overcounted moons" suggests that this hope has been long deferred. The image of the speaker running and reveling in the gold and blue of nature creates a sense of yearning for freedom and release from the confines of the prison.
The fourth and final stanza returns to the physical reality of the speaker's imprisonment:
Yet the too-faithful night, that took In many times and moods its look Into my prison, dark and small, Hath naught of change for me at all. Oh, maddening murmur of the rats In the plaster overhead! Oh, cats, That wail amid the silence, ye Only prolong the misery.
The repetition of the phrase "too-faithful night" emphasizes the speaker's sense of confinement and isolation. The night is the only constant in their life, and it has become maddeningly monotonous. The reference to the rats and cats creates a sense of disgust and revulsion, as the speaker is forced to share their space with these vermin. The final line, "Only prolong the misery," sums up the overall mood of the poem: a sense of despair and hopelessness in the face of confinement.
Theme and Interpretation
The central theme of "Long Time I Lay In Little Ease" is the experience of imprisonment, both physical and psychological. The poem reflects Stevenson's own experience of confinement during his chronic illness, but it also speaks to a universal human condition of feeling trapped and isolated. The poem highlights the tension between mind and body, as the speaker's desire for freedom clashes with their physical weakness. The metaphor of the creeping walls emphasizes the sense of being trapped, while the images of the rats and cats create a sense of disgust and revulsion.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of freedom. The reference to "God's gold and blue" suggests a sense of transcendence, a longing to escape the confines of the material world. However, the speaker is unable to achieve this freedom, and is instead forced to endure the monotony and misery of their confinement. The poem thus raises questions about the value and meaning of freedom, and the psychological toll of being denied it.
Conclusion
"Long Time I Lay In Little Ease" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the experience of imprisonment. Through vivid imagery and precise language, Stevenson portrays the psychological struggle of being confined to a small space. The poem reflects the author's own experience of illness and confinement, but it also speaks to a universal human condition of feeling trapped and isolated. The poem highlights the tension between mind and body, and raises questions about the nature of freedom and its value in human life. Overall, "Long Time I Lay In Little Ease" is a timeless masterpiece that speaks to the human condition in a profound and moving way.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures, and tell stories in a way that no other medium can. One such poem that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers is "Long Time I Lay In Little Ease" by Robert Louis Stevenson. This poem is a masterpiece of imagery, symbolism, and metaphor, and in this analysis, we will explore its various themes and meanings.
Firstly, let's take a look at the title of the poem. "Long Time I Lay In Little Ease" is a phrase that immediately captures the reader's attention. It is a paradoxical statement that seems to suggest a state of both rest and discomfort. The phrase "long time" implies a sense of duration, while "little ease" suggests a lack of comfort or confinement. This title sets the tone for the poem and prepares the reader for the journey ahead.
The poem begins with the speaker describing his state of being. He says, "Long time I lay in little ease / Where, placed by the Turanian, / Marseilles, the many-masted, sees / Through her wide bars the sun a span." Here, the speaker is describing a state of confinement or imprisonment. He is in a place where he is not free to move around, and he is forced to lie in a position of discomfort. The reference to Marseilles, a port city in France, suggests that the speaker is in a foreign land, far away from his home.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's surroundings. He says, "And where the ships from regions far / Bring fire and iron, silk and spice, / I heard the hammers of the war, / The steamers' siren, and the dice." Here, the speaker is describing the sounds of the city around him. He hears the sounds of ships coming from far-off lands, bringing with them exotic goods. He also hears the sounds of war, with the hammers of blacksmiths pounding out weapons, and the steamers' siren signaling their arrival. The reference to dice suggests that the speaker is in a place where gambling is prevalent, adding to the sense of danger and excitement.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to describe his thoughts and feelings. He says, "I heard the well-beloved cry, / The lost, intolerable plea, / And, led by that despairful cry, / My shadow sought the chasm-sea." Here, the speaker is describing a feeling of despair and hopelessness. He hears the cry of someone he loves, but he is unable to help them. This feeling of powerlessness leads him to seek solace in the chasm-sea, a metaphorical representation of the depths of his own despair.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's journey into the chasm-sea. He says, "I heard the yelping of the hounds / Pursuing through the void and blind, / I saw the swirl of the abyss / Suck downward like a helpless mind." Here, the speaker is describing the chaos and confusion that he experiences as he descends into the chasm-sea. He hears the yelping of hounds, which could be a metaphor for his own fears and anxieties. He also sees the swirling abyss, which represents the depths of his own mind.
As the poem nears its end, the speaker begins to describe his journey back from the chasm-sea. He says, "And still, with unhurrying chase, / And unperturbed pace, / Deliberate speed, majestic instancy, / Came on the following feet." Here, the speaker is describing a sense of calm and peace that he experiences as he emerges from the chasm-sea. He is no longer pursued by his fears and anxieties, but instead, he is followed by a sense of purpose and determination.
The final lines of the poem describe the speaker's newfound sense of freedom. He says, "And a voice less loud, through its joys and fears, / Than the two hearts beating each to each, / Are you returned again, my dear? / And whence have you returned, my dear?" Here, the speaker is addressing someone he loves, who is asking him where he has been. The reference to "two hearts beating each to each" suggests a sense of intimacy and connection between the speaker and the person he is addressing. The final lines of the poem suggest that the speaker has emerged from his confinement and has found a sense of freedom and connection with the world around him.
In conclusion, "Long Time I Lay In Little Ease" is a poem that explores themes of confinement, despair, and freedom. Through its use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and metaphor, the poem takes the reader on a journey through the depths of the speaker's mind and emotions. It is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to captivate readers to this day.
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