'An Astrologer's Song' by Rudyard Kipling

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

To the Heavens above us
O look and behold
The Planets that love us
All harnessed in gold!
What chariots, what horses
Against us shall bide
While the Stars in their courses
Do fight on our side?

All thought, all desires,
That are under the sun,
Are one with their fires,
As we also are one:
All matter, all spirit,
All fashion, all frame,
Receive and inherit
Their strength from the same.

(Oh, man that deniest
All power save thine own,
Their power in the highest
Is mightily shown.
Not less in the lowest
That power is made clear.
Oh, man, if thou knowest,
What treasure is here!)

Earth quakes in her throes
And we wonder for why!
But the blind planet knows
When her ruler is nigh;
And, attuned since Creation
To perfect accord,
She thrills in her station
And yearns to her Lord.

The waters have risen,
The springs are unbound--
The floods break their prison,
And ravin around.
No rampart withstands 'em,
Their fury will last,
Till the Sign that commands 'em
Sinks low or swings past.

Through abysses unproven
And gulfs beyond thought,
Our portion is woven,
Our burden is brought.
Yet They that prepare it,
Whose Nature we share,
Make us who must bear it
Well able to bear.

Though terrors o'ertake us
We'll not be afraid.
No power can unmake us
Save that which has made.
Nor yet beyond reason
Or hope shall we fall--
All things have their season,
And Mercy crowns all!

Then, doubt not, ye fearful--
The Eternal is King--
Up, heart, and be cheerful,
And lustily sing:--
What chariots, what horses
Against us shall bide
While the Stars in their courses
Do fight on our side?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry Analysis: "An Astrologer's Song" by Rudyard Kipling

If you're a fan of poetry, you've probably heard of Rudyard Kipling - the author of the famous "Jungle Book" series. But did you know that Kipling also wrote poetry? "An Astrologer's Song" is one of his most famous poems, and for good reason. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at this poem and explore its themes, symbols, and structure.

Overview of the Poem

"An Astrologer's Song" is a short poem consisting of six stanzas, each with four lines. The poem has a simple rhyme scheme (ABCB), and the language is straightforward and easy to understand. The poem tells the story of an astrologer who looks up at the stars and sees the fate of three men. The first man, a king, will die in battle. The second man, a clerk, will live a long life and die peacefully. The third man, a thief, will be hanged.

Themes in the Poem

One of the main themes in "An Astrologer's Song" is fate. The poem suggests that our fate is determined by the stars - that our lives are predetermined by forces beyond our control. The astrologer in the poem sees the fate of the three men in the stars and knows that there is nothing they can do to change their destiny.

Another theme in the poem is the idea of social hierarchy. The three men in the poem come from different walks of life - a king, a clerk, and a thief. The poem suggests that their fate is determined not only by the stars but also by their social status. The king, who is at the top of the social hierarchy, dies in battle. The clerk, who is in the middle, lives a long life and dies peacefully. The thief, who is at the bottom, is hanged.

Symbols in the Poem

The stars are a powerful symbol in "An Astrologer's Song." They represent the forces that determine our fate - the idea that our lives are predetermined by something beyond our control. The stars are also a symbol of the astrologer's knowledge and power. He is able to read the stars and see the fate of the three men, which gives him a sense of authority over them.

The three men in the poem are also symbolic. The king represents power and authority. The clerk represents the middle class - those who work hard and live a comfortable life. The thief represents the underclass - those who are marginalized and have little power.

Structure of the Poem

The structure of "An Astrologer's Song" is simple but effective. The poem consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme (ABCB) is also simple, but it gives the poem a sense of rhythm and consistency. The language is straightforward and easy to understand, which makes the poem accessible to a wide audience.

The repetition of the phrase "he shall" in each stanza also adds to the structure of the poem. This repetition emphasizes the idea that the fate of the three men is predetermined and cannot be changed. It also gives the poem a sense of inevitability - that the events described in the poem are going to happen regardless of what the men do.

Interpretation of the Poem

"An Astrologer's Song" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of fate and social hierarchy. The poem suggests that our lives are predetermined by forces beyond our control - that our fate is written in the stars. The social hierarchy also plays a role in determining our fate, as the poem suggests that those at the top have more power and influence than those at the bottom.

The poem can be interpreted in many ways. Some might see it as a commentary on the unfairness of social hierarchies and the idea that fate is not determined by merit but by social status. Others might see it as a reminder that our lives are short and that we should live them to the fullest, regardless of our fate.

Conclusion

"An Astrologer's Song" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of fate and social hierarchy. The poem uses simple language and a straightforward structure to convey its message. The stars are a powerful symbol in the poem, representing the forces that determine our fate. The three men in the poem are also symbolic, representing different levels of social hierarchy. Ultimately, the poem suggests that our fate is predetermined and that we have little control over our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

An Astrologer's Song: A Masterpiece of Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard Kipling, the Nobel Prize-winning English writer, is known for his exceptional literary works that have left an indelible mark on the world of literature. One of his most famous poems, "An Astrologer's Song," is a masterpiece that has been widely appreciated for its lyrical beauty and profound meaning. In this article, we will delve deep into the poem and analyze its various aspects to understand its true essence.

The Poem

"An Astrologer's Song" is a short poem that consists of six stanzas, each comprising four lines. The poem is written in the form of a ballad and has a musical quality that makes it a joy to read. The poem tells the story of an astrologer who predicts the future of a king and his kingdom. The astrologer's predictions come true, and the king rewards him with riches and honors. However, the astrologer is not content with his success and continues to look to the stars for guidance.

The Analysis

The Theme

The central theme of the poem is the power of fate and the inevitability of destiny. The astrologer in the poem represents the idea that our lives are predetermined, and no matter how hard we try, we cannot escape our fate. The poem suggests that we should accept our destiny and make the most of the time we have on this earth.

The Structure

The poem is structured in a way that creates a sense of rhythm and musicality. The use of rhyme and repetition adds to the poem's musical quality and makes it easy to remember. The poem's structure also helps to convey the idea that the astrologer's predictions are inevitable and cannot be changed.

The Language

Kipling's use of language in the poem is simple yet powerful. The use of metaphors and imagery helps to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. For example, the line "The sky is red with the strife they have made" creates a powerful image of a bloody battle. The use of repetition in the poem, such as the repetition of the phrase "He shall die," adds to the poem's musical quality and emphasizes the inevitability of fate.

The Tone

The tone of the poem is one of acceptance and resignation. The astrologer in the poem accepts his fate and continues to look to the stars for guidance. The poem suggests that we should all accept our destiny and make the most of the time we have on this earth.

The Symbolism

The poem makes use of various symbols to convey its message. The stars in the poem represent fate and destiny, while the astrologer represents the idea that we are all subject to the whims of fate. The king in the poem represents power and wealth, while the astrologer's reward represents the fleeting nature of material possessions.

The Meaning

The poem's meaning is open to interpretation, and different readers may take away different messages from it. However, at its core, the poem suggests that we should accept our destiny and make the most of the time we have on this earth. The poem also suggests that material possessions are fleeting and that true happiness can only be found in accepting our fate and living our lives to the fullest.

Conclusion

"An Astrologer's Song" is a masterpiece of poetry that has stood the test of time. Its lyrical beauty and profound meaning have made it a favorite among readers for generations. The poem's central theme of fate and destiny is one that resonates with us all, and its message of acceptance and resignation is one that we can all learn from. Kipling's use of language, structure, and symbolism in the poem is masterful, and the poem's musical quality makes it a joy to read. In conclusion, "An Astrologer's Song" is a true masterpiece of poetry that deserves to be celebrated and appreciated for generations to come.

Editor Recommended Sites

Recommended Similar Analysis

Working Girls by Carl Sandburg analysis
Carmel Point by Robinson Jeffers analysis
English In 1819 by Percy Bysshe Shelley analysis
"She Was a Phantom of Delight" by William Wordsworth analysis
Hawk Roosting by Ted Hughes analysis
"It was an April morning: fresh and clear" by William Wordsworth analysis
The Dolls by William Butler Yeats analysis
Vanity Fair by Sylvia Plath analysis
Apologia Pro Poemate Meo by Wilfred Owen analysis
Four Quartets 1: Burnt Norton by T.S. Eliot analysis