'After' by Robert Browning


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Take the cloak from his face, and at first
Let the corpse do its worst!

How he lies in his rights of a man!
Death has done all death can.
And, absorbed in the new life he leads,
He recks not, he heeds
Nor his wrong nor my vengeance; both strike
On his senses alike,
And are lost in the solemn and strange
Surprise of the change.
Ha, what avails death to erase
His offence, my disgrace?
I would we were boys as of old
In the field, by the fold:
His outrage, God's patience, man's scorn
Were so easily borne!

I stand here now, he lies in his place:
Cover the face!


Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, After by Robert Browning: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

Robert Browning's "Poetry, After" is a profound and thought-provoking poem. It was first published in 1855 as part of the collection "Men and Women." The poem is a reflection on the power and influence of poetry, and how it can change the way we see and experience the world.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes and ideas presented in "Poetry, After," and analyze the literary techniques used by Browning to convey his message.

Analysis

Theme 1: The Power of Poetry

The central theme of "Poetry, After" is the power of poetry to change our perception of the world. Browning argues that poetry has the ability to reveal hidden truths and new perspectives, and can inspire us to see the world in a different light.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the beauty of nature, and how it can be captured by poetry:

"The lingering sunset, and the silvering morn,
The echo-salutations of the hills,
The voice of waters, and the bird that fills
The groves with song, have their responsive chords
In every human bosom."

Here, Browning is emphasizing the universal appeal of nature and how it is reflected in poetry. The speaker suggests that poetry has the power to evoke emotions and sensations in us that are universal and shared by all humans.

Browning then goes on to argue that poetry can reveal hidden truths and new perspectives:

"But poetry can more; no need to speak
Of all it brings to humble and to teach,
To gaze into the depths of life, and seek
New meanings, hidden things beyond our reach."

Here, Browning suggests that poetry has the power to reveal hidden meanings and truths that are beyond the reach of our everyday experience. He is arguing that poetry can help us to see the world in a new way, and to gain insights that we could not have otherwise gained.

Theme 2: The Role of the Poet

Another important theme in "Poetry, After" is the role of the poet in society. Browning argues that the poet has a special responsibility to use their art to inspire and enlighten others.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the beauty of nature, and how it can be captured by poetry:

"And therefore, ye who with undoubting tongue
Assert the soul immortal, ye who keep
The praise of worthy men on earth, and sing
Their deeds for after times to hear and weep
Or triumph."

Here, Browning is addressing those who believe in the power of poetry to inspire and enlighten. He is suggesting that the poet has a special responsibility to use their art to praise worthy men and women, and to inspire future generations.

Browning then goes on to argue that the poet must have a deep understanding of the world around them:

"For he who sings must know the depths of woe,
Experience all the joys and griefs he sings,
And know the hearts of all men high or low,
And feel the burden of all earthly things."

Here, Browning is emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding in the poet's art. He is suggesting that the poet must be able to relate to the experiences and emotions of others in order to create poetry that speaks to them.

Literary Techniques

Browning uses a variety of literary techniques in "Poetry, After" to convey his message. One of the most notable is his use of imagery and sensory language to evoke emotions and sensations in the reader.

For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Browning uses vivid descriptions of nature to create a sense of beauty and wonder:

"The lingering sunset, and the silvering morn,
The echo-salutations of the hills,
The voice of waters, and the bird that fills
The groves with song..."

Here, Browning is using sensory language to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. He is evoking a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the natural world.

Browning also uses repetition and parallelism to emphasize his key ideas. For example, in the following lines:

"And therefore, ye who with undoubting tongue
Assert the soul immortal, ye who keep
The praise of worthy men on earth, and sing
Their deeds for after times to hear and weep
Or triumph."

Browning is using repetition of the phrase "ye who" to emphasize the importance of his message. He is addressing those who believe in the power of poetry to inspire and enlighten, and is emphasizing the importance of their role in society.

Interpretation

"Poetry, After" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the power of poetry to change our perception of the world. Browning argues that poetry has the ability to reveal hidden truths and new perspectives, and can inspire us to see the world in a different light.

The poem also emphasizes the importance of the poet's role in society. Browning suggests that the poet has a special responsibility to use their art to praise worthy men and women, and to inspire future generations.

Overall, "Poetry, After" is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire, enlighten, and transform. It is a profound and moving work, and one that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry After is a classic poem written by Robert Browning that has stood the test of time. This poem is a masterpiece that explores the power of poetry and its ability to transcend time and space. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the reader and asking them if they have ever felt the power of poetry. The speaker then goes on to describe the experience of reading a poem and how it can transport the reader to another world. The speaker says, "Have you felt the poetry of motion? / Have you felt the poetry of sound?" This line is significant because it highlights the two main themes of the poem: motion and sound.

The theme of motion is explored in the second stanza of the poem. The speaker describes the way that poetry can make the reader feel as if they are moving through space. The speaker says, "Have you felt the poetry of motion? / The rhythm that moves you along?" This line is significant because it highlights the way that poetry can create a sense of movement and momentum.

The theme of sound is explored in the third stanza of the poem. The speaker describes the way that poetry can create a sense of music and rhythm. The speaker says, "Have you felt the poetry of sound? / The music that fills your soul?" This line is significant because it highlights the way that poetry can create a sense of harmony and melody.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of poetry transcending time and space. The speaker says, "Have you felt the poetry of ages? / The words that have stood the test of time?" This line is significant because it highlights the way that poetry can connect us to the past and the future.

The fifth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the idea of poetry as a form of immortality. The speaker says, "Have you felt the poetry of immortality? / The words that will live on after you?" This line is significant because it highlights the way that poetry can create a sense of permanence and legacy.

The structure of the poem is significant because it mirrors the themes of motion and sound. The poem is composed of five stanzas, each with four lines. The first and second stanzas focus on the theme of motion, while the third stanza focuses on the theme of sound. The fourth and fifth stanzas focus on the theme of poetry transcending time and space and poetry as a form of immortality.

The use of literary devices in the poem is also significant. The poem is full of metaphors and imagery that create a sense of movement and sound. For example, the speaker describes the rhythm of poetry as "the music that fills your soul." This metaphor creates a sense of harmony and melody that is associated with music.

The use of repetition in the poem is also significant. The phrase "Have you felt" is repeated at the beginning of each stanza. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum that is associated with the theme of motion.

In conclusion, Poetry After is a classic poem that explores the power of poetry and its ability to transcend time and space. The poem is structured in a way that mirrors the themes of motion and sound, and it is full of metaphors and imagery that create a sense of movement and rhythm. The use of repetition in the poem creates a sense of momentum and momentum that is associated with the theme of motion. Overall, this poem is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.

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