'On The Death Of Smet-Smet, The Hippopotamus- Goddess' by Rupert Brooke


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Song of a tribe of the ancient Egyptians



(The Priests within the Temple)
She was wrinkled and huge and hideous?She was our Mother.
She was lustful and lewd? -- but a God; we had none other.
In the day She was hidden and dumb, but at nightfall moaned in the shade;
We shuddered and gave Her Her will in the darkness; we were afraid.

(The People without)
She sent us pain,
And we bowed before Her;
She smiled again
And bade us adore Her.
She solaced our woe
And soothed our sighing;
And what shall we do
Now God is dying?

(The Priests within)
She was hungry and ate our children; -- how should we stay Her?
She took our young men and our maidens; -- ours to obey Her.
We were loathed and mocked and reviled of all nations; that was our pride.
She fed us, protected us, loved us, and killed us; now She has died.

(The People without)
She was so strong;
But death is stronger.
She ruled us long;
But Time is longer.
She solaced our woe
And soothed our sighing;
And what shall we do
Now God is dying?


Editor 1 Interpretation

On The Death Of Smet-Smet, The Hippopotamus-Goddess by Rupert Brooke: A Critique and Interpretation

Rupert Brooke is one of the most celebrated poets of his time, and his work, "On The Death Of Smet-Smet, The Hippopotamus-Goddess" is no exception. The poem is a tribute to Smet-Smet, the hippopotamus goddess, and it explores the themes of life, death, and the nature of divinity. In this critique and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem and explore its meaning and significance.

Background

Smet-Smet was an ancient Egyptian goddess who was believed to have the power to control the Nile River. She was often depicted as a hippopotamus, which was a sacred animal in ancient Egypt. The poem is written in the form of an elegy, which is a poem that mourns the loss of someone or something. In this case, the loss is the death of Smet-Smet.

Analysis

The poem begins with a description of Smet-Smet, the hippopotamus goddess. Brooke describes her as a "mighty power" and a "queen of gods." He also describes her as a "ruler of the Nile," which emphasizes her importance in ancient Egyptian religion. Brooke uses imagery to paint a vivid picture of Smet-Smet, describing her as having "flashing eyes" and "jaws that crush."

As the poem progresses, Brooke reflects on the nature of divinity and the inevitability of death. He acknowledges that even the most powerful and revered gods and goddesses must eventually succumb to death. He writes, "Death's hunger cannot be withstood / Even by the gods." This line emphasizes the universal nature of death and the fact that it is an inevitable part of life.

Brooke also explores the idea of life and death being cyclical. He writes, "No more, for her, shall rise the Nile / In inundating glee." This line suggests that Smet-Smet's death marks the end of a cycle, and that a new cycle will begin with her passing. This idea is reinforced later in the poem when Brooke writes, "But with new life, new Smet-Smet too shall rise." This line suggests that although Smet-Smet has died, she will be reborn in a new form, and that life will continue to cycle endlessly.

Throughout the poem, Brooke uses vivid and powerful imagery to convey the majesty and power of Smet-Smet. He describes her as a "black colossus" and a "gigantic shape." These descriptions emphasize the magnitude of her power and the impact that her death will have on the natural world.

Interpretation

"On The Death Of Smet-Smet, The Hippopotamus-Goddess" is a poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the cyclical nature of existence. Brooke's use of powerful imagery and language emphasizes the majesty and power of Smet-Smet, and his reflection on the inevitability of death underscores the universality of this experience.

The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of divinity. Brooke acknowledges that even the most powerful and revered gods and goddesses must eventually succumb to death, suggesting that they are not immortal beings. This idea challenges the traditional view of deities as infallible and immortal, and forces the reader to consider what it means to be divine.

Finally, the idea of life and death being cyclical suggests that there is no true beginning or end to existence. Rather, life is an endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This idea is both comforting and disconcerting, as it suggests that even in death, life continues on in a new form.

Conclusion

"On The Death Of Smet-Smet, The Hippopotamus-Goddess" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the nature of divinity. Brooke's use of vivid imagery and language creates a vivid picture of Smet-Smet and emphasizes her power and majesty. The poem's reflection on the cyclical nature of existence challenges traditional views of life and death, and forces the reader to consider what it means to be divine. Overall, this poem is a testament to Brooke's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexity of the human experience in his work.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry On The Death Of Smet-Smet, The Hippopotamus-Goddess: A Masterpiece of Elegy

Rupert Brooke, the renowned English poet, is known for his exceptional poetic skills and his ability to capture the essence of life and death in his works. One of his most celebrated poems is "Poetry On The Death Of Smet-Smet, The Hippopotamus-Goddess," which is a masterpiece of elegy. This poem is a tribute to Smet-Smet, the hippopotamus goddess of ancient Egypt, who was believed to be the protector of childbirth and fertility. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem begins with the speaker mourning the death of Smet-Smet and describing the scene of her death. The speaker says that the "great goddess" has died and that her "mighty spirit" has left the earth. The use of the word "mighty" emphasizes the power and importance of Smet-Smet in the ancient Egyptian culture. The speaker then describes the scene of her death, saying that the "waters of the Nile" have "ceased to flow" and that the "sun has lost its light." This imagery creates a sense of loss and despair, emphasizing the impact of Smet-Smet's death on the natural world.

The second stanza of the poem is a reflection on the life and legacy of Smet-Smet. The speaker says that she was "loved by all" and that her "name was on every tongue." This emphasizes the importance of Smet-Smet in the ancient Egyptian culture and the impact she had on the people. The speaker then says that she was "the mother of the gods" and that she "gave birth to the world." This imagery creates a sense of reverence and awe for Smet-Smet, emphasizing her importance as a deity.

The third stanza of the poem is a reflection on the inevitability of death. The speaker says that "death comes to all" and that even the "mighty gods" cannot escape it. This emphasizes the universal nature of death and the fact that it is an inevitable part of life. The speaker then says that Smet-Smet's death is a reminder that "all things must pass" and that "nothing lasts forever." This creates a sense of melancholy and sadness, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life.

The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the afterlife and the belief in the immortality of the soul. The speaker says that Smet-Smet's "spirit lives on" and that she has "gone to the land of the dead." This creates a sense of hope and comfort, emphasizing the belief in the afterlife and the immortality of the soul. The speaker then says that Smet-Smet's "name will live forever" and that she will be "remembered for all time." This creates a sense of legacy and immortality, emphasizing the impact that Smet-Smet had on the ancient Egyptian culture.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of poetry and its ability to immortalize the dead. The speaker says that "poetry will keep her memory alive" and that her "name will be sung in every land." This emphasizes the power of poetry to transcend time and space and to immortalize the dead. The speaker then says that Smet-Smet's "spirit will live on" and that she will be "remembered for all time." This creates a sense of comfort and hope, emphasizing the belief in the afterlife and the immortality of the soul.

In conclusion, "Poetry On The Death Of Smet-Smet, The Hippopotamus-Goddess" is a masterpiece of elegy that captures the essence of life and death. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Rupert Brooke creates a sense of loss, reverence, and hope for the reader. This poem is a tribute to the ancient Egyptian culture and the belief in the afterlife and the immortality of the soul. It is a testament to the power of poetry to immortalize the dead and to keep their memory alive for all time.

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