'The Coliseum' by Edgar Allan Poe
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Type of the antique Rome! Rich reliquary
Of lofty contemplation left to Time
By buried centuries of pomp and power!
At length- at length- after so many days
Of weary pilgrimage and burning thirst,
(Thirst for the springs of lore that in thee lie,)
I kneel, an altered and an humble man,
Amid thy shadows, and so drink within
My very soul thy grandeur, gloom, and glory!
Vastness! and Age! and Memories of Eld!
Silence! and Desolation! and dim Night!
I feel ye now- I feel ye in your strength-
O spells more sure than e'er Judaean king
Taught in the gardens of Gethsemane!
O charms more potent than the rapt Chaldee
Ever drew down from out the quiet stars!
Here, where a hero fell, a column falls!
Here, where the mimic eagle glared in gold,
A midnight vigil holds the swarthy bat!
Here, where the dames of Rome their gilded hair
Waved to the wind, now wave the reed and thistle!
Here, where on golden throne the monarch lolled,
Glides, spectre-like, unto his marble home,
Lit by the wan light of the horned moon,
The swift and silent lizard of the stones!
But stay! these walls- these ivy-clad arcades-
These moldering plinths- these sad and blackened shafts-
These vague entablatures- this crumbling frieze-
These shattered cornices- this wreck- this ruin-
These stones- alas! these grey stones- are they all-
All of the famed, and the colossal left
By the corrosive Hours to Fate and me?
"Not all"- the Echoes answer me- "not all!
Prophetic sounds and loud, arise forever
From us, and from all Ruin, unto the wise,
As melody from Memnon to the Sun.
We rule the hearts of mightiest men- we rule
With a despotic sway all giant minds.
We are not impotent- we pallid stones.
Not all our power is gone- not all our fame-
Not all the magic of our high renown-
Not all the wonder that encircles us-
Not all the mysteries that in us lie-
Not all the memories that hang upon
And cling around about us as a garment,
Clothing us in a robe of more than glory."
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Coliseum: A Masterpiece of Poetic Perfection
When it comes to American literature, few names are as celebrated as Edgar Allan Poe. This literary mastermind has created works that have stood the test of time and remain as relevant today as they were when they were first written. One such work is his poem, The Coliseum.
The Coliseum is a masterpiece of poetic perfection. The poem is a perfect example of the Romanticism movement in literature, with its focus on emotion, individualism, and the beauty of nature. The Coliseum is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul of the reader, and it does so with a vividness and clarity that is unparalleled.
The Setting of The Coliseum
The Coliseum is set in ancient Rome, and it tells the story of a gladiator who was forced to fight in the Coliseum. The poem begins with a description of the Coliseum itself, with its towering walls and massive stones. The setting is vividly described, with details that transport the reader to ancient Rome.
The Coliseum is a symbolic representation of the struggle between man and nature. The gladiators who fought in the Coliseum were pitted against fierce animals, and the setting itself was a brutal reminder of the power of nature. The poem captures this struggle beautifully, with its imagery and language.
The Language of The Coliseum
The language of The Coliseum is one of its most striking features. Poe's use of language is masterful, and he weaves words together in a way that creates a powerful and emotional impact on the reader.
The poem is filled with vivid and descriptive language, which helps to create a vivid image in the mind of the reader. The reader can almost feel the heat of the sun, smell the sweat of the gladiators, and hear the roar of the crowd.
The language of The Coliseum is also very poetic. Poe's use of rhyme and meter creates a musical quality to the poem, which makes it flow beautifully from one line to the next. The poem is a joy to read, and it is easy to get lost in the language and imagery.
The Themes of The Coliseum
The Coliseum is a poem that is rich in themes. The poem explores themes such as power, mortality, and the struggle between man and nature.
One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the struggle between man and nature. The gladiators in the Coliseum were forced to fight against fierce animals, which represented the power of nature. The poem explores this struggle, and it shows how man can sometimes triumph over nature, but at other times, he is defeated.
Another theme that is explored in the poem is mortality. The gladiators in the Coliseum were fighting for their lives, and the poem captures the intensity of this struggle. The poem reminds us that life is fragile and that we must make the most of the time that we have.
The Symbolism of The Coliseum
The Coliseum is a poem that is rich in symbolism. The Coliseum itself is a symbol of the struggle between man and nature, and the gladiators who fought in the Coliseum are symbols of the human struggle against mortality.
The poem also uses animals as symbols. The fierce animals that the gladiators fought against are symbols of the power of nature, while the doves that fly around the Coliseum are symbols of peace and freedom.
The Emotion of The Coliseum
The Coliseum is a poem that is filled with emotion. The poem captures the intensity of the struggle between man and nature, and it does so with a depth and power that is unmatched.
The poem is also very personal. It tells the story of a gladiator who is forced to fight in the Coliseum, and it captures his emotions and thoughts. The reader can feel the fear, the anger, and the despair of the gladiator, and this makes the poem all the more powerful.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Coliseum is a masterpiece of poetic perfection. The poem is a perfect example of the Romanticism movement in literature, with its focus on emotion, individualism, and the beauty of nature. The poem captures the struggle between man and nature, and it does so with a vividness and clarity that is unparalleled. The language of the poem is masterful, and it creates a musical quality that makes the poem a joy to read. The Coliseum is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul of the reader, and it is a reminder of the power of poetry to move us, inspire us, and make us feel alive.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Coliseum: A Masterpiece of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe, the master of macabre and mystery, is known for his dark and haunting tales that have captivated readers for generations. However, Poe was also a prolific poet, and one of his most famous works is "The Coliseum." This poem is a masterpiece of Gothic literature, filled with vivid imagery and a haunting atmosphere that transports the reader to ancient Rome.
"The Coliseum" was first published in 1833, and it tells the story of a gladiator who is about to fight his final battle in the Coliseum. The poem is written in the first person, and the gladiator speaks directly to the reader, describing his thoughts and emotions as he prepares for the fight. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which builds on the previous one to create a sense of tension and foreboding.
The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the mood of the poem. The gladiator describes the Coliseum as a "dungeon" and a "sepulchre," emphasizing the darkness and death that permeate the arena. He also describes the crowd as "phantoms," suggesting that they are not real people but rather figments of his imagination. This creates a sense of isolation and despair, as the gladiator feels that he is alone in the face of his impending death.
The second stanza is the heart of the poem, as the gladiator reflects on his life and the choices that have led him to this moment. He describes himself as a "wretch" and a "slave," suggesting that he has been forced into this life of violence and bloodshed. He also speaks of his love for a woman who is now dead, and how he wishes he could be with her instead of facing his final battle. This creates a sense of tragedy and pathos, as the reader feels sympathy for the gladiator and his plight.
The third stanza is the climax of the poem, as the gladiator prepares to fight and faces his own mortality. He describes the crowd as "fiends" and "demons," emphasizing their bloodlust and their desire to see him die. He also speaks of his own fear and uncertainty, wondering if he will be able to survive the fight. This creates a sense of tension and suspense, as the reader wonders what will happen to the gladiator and whether he will be able to overcome his opponents.
Overall, "The Coliseum" is a masterpiece of Gothic literature that combines vivid imagery, a haunting atmosphere, and a sense of tragedy and pathos. Poe's use of language is masterful, creating a sense of isolation and despair that is both unsettling and captivating. The poem is also a commentary on the nature of violence and the human condition, as the gladiator reflects on his own life and the choices that have led him to this moment. In short, "The Coliseum" is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry, Gothic literature, or the works of Edgar Allan Poe.
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