'Special Pleading' by Sidney Lanier
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Time, hurry my Love to me:
Haste, haste!Lov'st not good company?
Here's but a heart-break sandy waste
'Twixt Now and Then.Why, killing haste
Were best, dear Time, for thee, for thee!
Oh, would that I might divine
Thy name beyond the zodiac sign
Wherefrom our times-to-come descend.
He called thee `Sometime'.Change it, friend:
`Now-time' sounds so much more fine!
Sweet Sometime, fly fast to me:
Poor Now-time sits in the Lonesome-tree
And broods as gray as any dove,
And calls, `When wilt thou come, O Love?'
And pleads across the waste to thee.
Good Moment, that giv'st him me,
Wast ever in love?Maybe, maybe
Thou'lt be this heavenly velvet time
When Day and Night as rhyme and rhyme
Set lip to lip dusk-modestly;
Or haply some noon afar,
-- O life's top bud, mixt rose and star,
How ever can thine utmost sweet
Be star-consummate, rose-complete,
Till thy rich reds full opened are?
Well, be it dusk-time or noon-time,
I ask but one small boon, Time:
Come thou in night, come thou in day,
I care not, I care not:have thine own way,
But only, but only, come soon, Time.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry Criticism and Interpretation: Sidney Lanier's "Special Pleading"
If you're looking to get lost in an intelligently crafted masterpiece of poetry, look no further than Sidney Lanier's "Special Pleading." Written in 1878, this poem is a stunning example of how poetry can take the reader on a journey of self-discovery, while simultaneously exploring larger themes of personal freedom and societal norms.
At its core, "Special Pleading" is a meditation on individuality and the desire to break free from societal expectations. Lanier uses the metaphor of a lawyer making a case to highlight the struggle between conformity and self-expression. The speaker in the poem is the lawyer, pleading his own case against the rules that constrain him.
The poem opens with the lawyer making a bold statement: "I am a law student." This might seem like a simple statement, but in the context of the poem, it is a direct challenge to the reader's assumptions about who the lawyer is and what he is capable of. Lanier wants us to know that the speaker is not just a student of the law, but also a student of life, and he is ready to make his case.
The second stanza sets the stage for the poem's main theme. The lawyer describes his frustration with the limitations placed on him by society. He feels like he is being forced to conform to a set of rules that don't allow for individuality. The phrase "the hard lines of a code" is particularly striking, as it highlights the cold, unyielding nature of societal norms.
But the lawyer is not content to simply accept these limitations. He wants to make his own case, to argue for his own freedom. In the third stanza, he pleads with the reader to listen to his argument, to see the world from his perspective. This plea is both an invitation and a challenge. The lawyer is asking the reader to be open-minded, to consider the possibility that there is more to life than the rules we are taught to follow.
As the poem progresses, the lawyer becomes more and more passionate in his plea for freedom. He describes the "burning thoughts" that keep him awake at night, the desire to break free from the constraints of society and be his own person. The language in this section is powerful and evocative, with phrases like "my soul's great need" and "I'll take my life in my hand" painting a vivid picture of the lawyer's struggle.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of "Special Pleading" is the way Lanier uses language to create a sense of urgency and tension. The poem is full of rhetorical questions and bold declarations that draw the reader in and keep them engaged. For example, in the fourth stanza, the lawyer asks, "Can I not keep my own soul's faith?" This question is a challenge to the reader, asking them to consider whether their own beliefs are truly their own, or if they are simply following the rules they have been taught to accept.
As the poem reaches its climax, the lawyer becomes more and more impassioned in his plea for freedom. He describes the "glorious dawn" that awaits him if he is able to break free from the constraints of society. This metaphor is particularly powerful, as it suggests that true freedom is not just about breaking rules, but about finding a new way of looking at the world.
In the end, the lawyer makes his case, and the reader is left to consider the implications of his argument. Lanier has created a masterpiece of poetry that is both challenging and inspiring. His use of language and metaphor is masterful, and his exploration of themes like individuality and societal norms is both timeless and relevant.
If you haven't read "Special Pleading" yet, I highly recommend it. This is a poem that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and challenge us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries. It is a medium that allows individuals to express their thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a creative and unique way. One of the most famous poems that have stood the test of time is "Special Pleading" by Sidney Lanier. This poem is a masterpiece that has captured the hearts of many readers over the years. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
"Special Pleading" is a poem that was written in 1877 by Sidney Lanier, an American musician and poet. The poem is a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem that follows a specific rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into two parts, the octave, which consists of the first eight lines, and the sestet, which consists of the last six lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABBAABBA CDCDCD.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a judge, asking him to listen to his plea. The speaker is pleading for mercy for a man who has been accused of a crime. The speaker argues that the man is not guilty and that he deserves a fair trial. The speaker uses various metaphors and imagery to convey his message. For example, he compares the accused to a "flower that blooms in the shade" and a "bird that sings in the night."
The poem then takes a turn in the sestet, where the speaker acknowledges that the accused may be guilty. However, he argues that the man deserves mercy because he has suffered in his life. The speaker uses the metaphor of a "shipwrecked sailor" to describe the man's life. He argues that the man has been through so much hardship that he deserves a second chance.
The poem ends with the speaker asking the judge to show mercy and to not let the accused suffer any more than he already has. The speaker argues that mercy is a virtue that should be shown to all, regardless of their guilt or innocence.
The poem "Special Pleading" is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition and the need for mercy and compassion. The poem is a reminder that we should not judge others harshly and that we should always strive to show mercy and kindness.
One of the most significant aspects of the poem is its use of metaphors and imagery. The speaker uses these literary devices to convey his message in a powerful and emotional way. For example, the metaphor of the "flower that blooms in the shade" is a powerful image that conveys the idea that even those who are accused of a crime deserve a fair trial. The metaphor of the "bird that sings in the night" is another powerful image that conveys the idea that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope.
Another significant aspect of the poem is its use of language. The poem is written in a formal and elegant style that adds to its emotional impact. The use of rhyme and meter adds to the poem's musicality and makes it a joy to read aloud. The poem's language is also rich in symbolism and allusion, which adds to its depth and complexity.
The poem's message is also significant. The poem is a plea for mercy and compassion, and it reminds us that we should not judge others harshly. The poem is a reminder that we should always strive to show kindness and understanding, even to those who may have done wrong. The poem's message is timeless and universal, and it is as relevant today as it was when it was written over a century ago.
In conclusion, "Special Pleading" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece that speaks to the human condition and the need for mercy and compassion. The poem's use of metaphors and imagery, its elegant language, and its timeless message make it a joy to read and a powerful reminder of the importance of kindness and understanding. Sidney Lanier's "Special Pleading" is a poem that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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