'Owl Against Robin' by Sidney Lanier
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Frowning, the owl in the oak complained him
Sore, that the song of the robin restrained him
Wrongly of slumber, rudely of rest.
"From the north, from the east, from the south and the west,
Woodland, wheat-field, corn-field, clover,
Over and over and over and over,
Five o'clock, ten o'clock, twelve, or seven,
Nothing but robin-songs heard under heaven:
How can we sleep?
`Peep!' you whistle, and `cheep! cheep! cheep!'
Oh, peep, if you will, and buy, if 'tis cheap,
And have done; for an owl must sleep.
Are ye singing for fame, and who shall be first?
Each day's the same, yet the last is worst,
And the summer is cursed with the silly outburst
Of idiot red-breasts peeping and cheeping
By day, when all honest birds ought to be sleeping.
Lord, what a din!And so out of all reason.
Have ye not heard that each thing hath its season?
Night is to work in, night is for play-time;
Good heavens, not day-time!
A vulgar flaunt is the flaring day,
The impudent, hot, unsparing day,
That leaves not a stain nor a secret untold, --
Day the reporter, -- the gossip of old, --
Deformity's tease, -- man's common scold --
Poh!Shut the eyes, let the sense go numb
When day down the eastern way has come.
'Tis clear as the moon (by the argument drawn
From Design) that the world should retire at dawn.
Day kills.The leaf and the laborer breathe
Death in the sun, the cities seethe,
The mortal black marshes bubble with heat
And puff up pestilence; nothing is sweet
Has to do with the sun:even virtue will taint
(Philosophers say) and manhood grow faint
In the lands where the villainous sun has sway
Through the livelong drag of the dreadful day.
What Eden but noon-light stares it tame,
Shadowless, brazen, forsaken of shame?
For the sun tells lies on the landscape, -- now
Reports me the `what', unrelieved with the `how', --
As messengers lie, with the facts alone,
Delivering the word and withholding the tone.
But oh, the sweetness, and oh, the light
Of the high-fastidious night!
Oh, to awake with the wise old stars --
The cultured, the careful, the Chesterfield stars,
That wink at the work-a-day fact of crime
And shine so rich through the ruins of time
That Baalbec is finer than London; oh,
To sit on the bough that zigzags low
By the woodland pool,
And loudly laugh at man, the fool
That vows to the vulgar sun; oh, rare,
To wheel from the wood to the window where
A day-worn sleeper is dreaming of care,
And perch on the sill and straightly stare
Through his visions; rare, to sail
Aslant with the hill and a-curve with the vale, --
To flit down the shadow-shot-with-gleam,
Betwixt hanging leaves and starlit stream,
Hither, thither, to and fro,
Silent, aimless, dayless, slow
(`Aimless?Field-mice?'True, they're slain,
But the night-philosophy hoots at pain,
Grips, eats quick, and drops the bones
In the water beneath the bough, nor moans
At the death life feeds on).Robin, pray
Come away, come away
To the cultus of night.Abandon the day.
Have more to think and have less to say.
And CANNOT you walk now?Bah! don't hop!
Stop!
Look at the owl, scarce seen, scarce heard,
O irritant, iterant, maddening bird!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
Owl Against Robin: An Analysis of Sidney Lanier's Classic Poem
Sidney Lanier was an American poet of the late 19th century, known for his musicality and lyrical style. In his poem "Owl Against Robin," Lanier explores the theme of nature's struggles and the inevitable cycle of life and death. The poem's title is straightforward, but the complex metaphors and imagery used throughout the piece create a depth of meaning that invites readers to delve deeper into the poem's nuances.
Overview
At its core, "Owl Against Robin" is a poem about the struggle for survival in nature. The poem's opening lines introduce us to the two main characters of the poem, the owl and the robin. The owl, a symbol of wisdom and darkness, is positioned as the aggressor in the poem, while the robin, a symbol of spring and renewal, is its victim. Lanier's use of these two birds as symbols creates a contrast between their respective traits, highlighting the poem's theme of opposing forces.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with a distinct focus. The first stanza focuses on the owl's attack on the robin, while the second stanza explores the aftermath of the attack. The third and final stanza delves deeper into the poem's themes of life and death, as well as the cyclical nature of nature.
Analysis
Stanza One
The first stanza of "Owl Against Robin" sets the stage for the poem's central conflict. The opening lines describe the owl as a "wise old bird" who is "crouched in his cedar" waiting for his prey. The use of the word "wise" here gives the owl a sense of authority and foreshadows the role he will play in the poem. The cedar tree is also significant, as it is a symbol of strength and resilience, which the owl will need to succeed in his mission.
The next few lines introduce the robin, who is "cheery with his song." The use of the word "cheery" here is important, as it creates a sense of innocence and naivete around the robin. This contrast between the owl's wisdom and the robin's naivete sets up the power dynamic that will play out in the rest of the poem.
The next lines describe the owl's attack on the robin. Lanier uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the violence that is about to take place. The line "sharp the moon's horn on the dune" creates a sense of danger and foreboding, while the line "sudden and swift as a sudden gust" mirrors the speed of the owl's attack. The use of alliteration in these lines also adds to the sense of urgency and violence.
Stanza Two
The second stanza of the poem explores the aftermath of the owl's attack. The first line, "The owl was the winner," makes it clear that the robin did not survive the attack. However, Lanier's use of the word "winner" here is interesting, as it creates a sense of admiration for the owl's strength and cunning. This admiration is tempered by the next line, which describes the robin's "dear little body" lying on the ground. The use of the word "dear" here creates a sense of loss and sadness, reminding us that the robin was not just a mere object of the owl's aggression, but a living being with its own value.
The next lines of the stanza shift the focus back to the owl. Lanier writes that the owl "puffed his feathers" and "blinked his eyes," creating a sense of satisfaction and pride. The use of the word "blinked" here is significant, as it creates a sense of the owl's detachment from the violence it has just committed. The owl is not remorseful or regretful, but rather proud of its success.
Stanza Three
The final stanza of the poem delves deeper into the poem's themes of life and death. The opening lines, "Now, in the shadow of death," create a sense of finality and inevitability. Lanier's use of the word "shadow" creates a sense of darkness and uncertainty, while the word "death" is a reminder that all life must come to an end.
The next lines of the stanza explore the cyclical nature of nature. Lanier writes that "the owl is the winner today," but "tomorrow the robin might win." This creates a sense of balance and fairness in nature, reminding us that even the strongest and wisest creature is not immune to death. The use of the word "might" also creates a sense of possibility and hope, suggesting that even in the face of death, new life and renewal are always possible.
The final lines of the poem bring us back to the owl and the robin, reminding us of their respective roles in the poem. Lanier writes that "the owl hoots in his cedar" while "the robin sings in his maple." The use of these two trees is significant, as they are both symbols of strength and resilience. However, the owl's tree, the cedar, is associated with darkness and wisdom, while the robin's tree, the maple, is associated with spring and renewal. This contrast once again highlights the opposing forces at play in the poem, reminding us that even in nature, there are always winners and losers.
Conclusion
"Owl Against Robin" is a poem that explores the struggle for survival in nature, using the owl and the robin as symbols of opposing forces. Lanier's use of vivid imagery and complex metaphors creates a depth of meaning that invites readers to delve deeper into the poem's themes of life and death, as well as the cyclical nature of nature. The poem's structure, with its three distinct stanzas, creates a sense of progression and development, leading us from the conflict between the owl and the robin to a deeper understanding of the forces at play in nature. Overall, "Owl Against Robin" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Owl Against Robin: A Masterpiece of Nature Poetry
Sidney Lanier, the renowned American poet, musician, and scholar, was a master of nature poetry. His works are characterized by their vivid imagery, musicality, and deep appreciation of the natural world. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry Owl Against Robin," is a stunning example of his poetic genius. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem and uncover its hidden meanings.
The poem begins with a description of the two birds, the owl, and the robin. The owl is portrayed as a wise and serious creature, while the robin is depicted as a carefree and playful bird. The contrast between the two birds sets the stage for the conflict that will unfold in the poem. The owl represents the serious and contemplative side of poetry, while the robin represents the light and playful side.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the work. Lanier writes, "Said the Owl to the Robin, 'You are loved by the people / Far and near: / You are lauded by the poets; you are dear / To the heart of the master who sings.'" Here, the owl acknowledges the popularity of the robin among the people and the poets. However, he also implies that the robin's popularity is superficial and that he is not truly appreciated by the "master who sings." This sets up the conflict between the two birds, as the owl believes that true poetry must be serious and contemplative, while the robin represents a more lighthearted and playful form of poetry.
In the second stanza, the owl challenges the robin, saying, "But, friend Robin, take heed what I tell: / You have won by the sword, you shall die by the spell!" Here, the owl warns the robin that his popularity will not last forever and that he will eventually be replaced by a more serious and contemplative form of poetry. The use of the word "spell" suggests that the owl believes that true poetry has a magical quality that can only be achieved through serious contemplation and reflection.
The third stanza is where the conflict between the two birds reaches its climax. The owl challenges the robin to a contest of poetry, saying, "Come, let us try the riddle by rote, / And he who fails shall forfeit his vote." The riddle that the owl proposes is a complex and philosophical one, designed to test the robin's ability to think deeply and reflect on the nature of existence. The robin, however, responds with a simple and playful riddle, showing that he is not interested in the serious contemplation that the owl values.
In the fourth stanza, the owl declares himself the winner of the contest, saying, "I have won, I have won, / For my riddle is deep, and the truth is long." Here, the owl claims victory over the robin, asserting that his serious and contemplative form of poetry is superior to the robin's playful and lighthearted form. However, the final stanza of the poem reveals the true meaning of the contest.
In the final stanza, Lanier writes, "But the Robin laughed sweet, and his eyes did twinkle, / And he chirped, 'My vote is not for sale!'" Here, the robin reveals that he was not interested in winning the contest or proving his superiority over the owl. Instead, he values his own form of poetry and refuses to be swayed by the owl's serious and contemplative approach. The use of the word "twinkle" suggests that the robin is happy and content with his own form of poetry, despite the owl's criticism.
The themes of the poem are clear: the conflict between serious and contemplative poetry and playful and lighthearted poetry. The owl represents the serious and contemplative side, while the robin represents the playful and lighthearted side. The poem suggests that both forms of poetry have value and that they should not be pitted against each other. Instead, they should be appreciated for their unique qualities and contributions to the world of poetry.
The imagery in the poem is also significant. The owl is portrayed as a wise and serious creature, with "eyes like jewels" and a "beak like a sword." The robin, on the other hand, is depicted as a carefree and playful bird, with "eyes like diamonds" and a "beak like a cherry." The use of precious stones to describe the eyes of the birds suggests that they are both valuable and important in their own way.
The language of the poem is also noteworthy. Lanier's use of rhyme and meter gives the poem a musical quality that is reminiscent of a song. The use of alliteration and assonance also adds to the musicality of the poem. The use of the word "spell" in the second stanza is particularly interesting, as it suggests that true poetry has a magical quality that can only be achieved through serious contemplation and reflection.
In conclusion, "Poetry Owl Against Robin" is a masterpiece of nature poetry that explores the conflict between serious and contemplative poetry and playful and lighthearted poetry. The poem suggests that both forms of poetry have value and that they should not be pitted against each other. Instead, they should be appreciated for their unique qualities and contributions to the world of poetry. The imagery and language of the poem are also significant, adding to its musicality and depth of meaning. Overall, "Poetry Owl Against Robin" is a timeless work of poetry that continues to inspire and delight readers to this day.
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