'In Examination' by Rupert Brooke


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Lo! from quiet skies
In through the window my Lord the Sun!
And my eyes
Were dazzled and drunk with the misty gold,
The golden glory that drowned and crowned me
Eddied and swayed through the room . . .
Around me,
To left and to right,
Hunched figures and old,
Dull blear-eyed scribbling fools, grew fair,
Ringed round and haloed with holy light.
Flame lit on their hair,
And their burning eyes grew young and wise,
Each as a God, or King of kings,
White-robed and bright
(Still scribbling all);
And a full tumultuous murmur of wings
Grew through the hall;
And I knew the white undying Fire,
And, through open portals,
Gyre on gyre,
Archangels and angels, adoring, bowing,
And a Face unshaded . . .
Till the light faded;
And they were but fools again, fools unknowing,
Still scribbling, blear-eyed and stolid immortals.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, In Examination: A Deep Dive into Rupert Brooke's World of Poetry

Rupert Brooke, a renowned British poet, was known for his philosophical musings and his contribution to the literature of the early 20th century. Among his many works, Poetry, In Examination, stands out as a masterpiece that explores the essence of poetry and the role it plays in our lives. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive deep into the world of Rupert Brooke's poetry and understand the significance of Poetry, In Examination.

Background

Poetry, In Examination is a sonnet that forms part of Brooke's collection of sonnets called 1914. The collection was written during the early days of World War I when Brooke was serving as a soldier in the British Army. Brooke, who was also an ardent admirer of the Romantic poets, believed that poetry had the power to heal and inspire. Poetry, In Examination was written in 1913, a year before the outbreak of the war, and it reflects Brooke's belief that poetry should be valued for its intrinsic worth rather than its utility.

Analysis

The sonnet is structured in the traditional form of a Shakespearean sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is divided into three quatrains and a rhyming couplet, with the final couplet serving as a conclusion to the poem.

First Quatrain

In the first quatrain, Brooke addresses the question of what poetry is and what it should be. He argues that poetry is not a tool for practical purposes, but rather an art form that exists for its own sake. Brooke uses a metaphor of a "miracle" to describe the essence of poetry, suggesting that poetry is something that cannot be explained by reason or logic.

Oh, we have learnt to peer and pore
On tortured puzzles from our youth,
We know all labyrinthine lore,
We are the three wise men of yore,
And we know all things but the truth.

The opening lines of the poem are an ironic take on the state of education and intellectualism prevailing during Brooke's time. He suggests that people have become too preoccupied with solving complex puzzles and riddles, but they have failed to grasp the true meaning of poetry. The reference to the "three wise men of yore" suggests that even though we may have accumulated knowledge, we are still struggling to understand the essence of poetry.

Second Quatrain

In the second quatrain, Brooke emphasizes the importance of the emotional and spiritual aspect of poetry. He suggests that poetry should be valued for its ability to evoke emotions and stir the soul.

We have gone round and round the hill
And lost the wood among the trees,
And learnt long names for every ill,
And served the mad gods, naming still
The furies the Eumenides.

Brooke uses the metaphor of a journey up a hill to describe the search for the true meaning of poetry. He suggests that we have lost our way by focusing on external details and have failed to recognize the essence of poetry. The reference to the "mad gods" and "furies" is a nod to Greek mythology and suggests that we have become too preoccupied with naming and categorizing things rather than experiencing them.

Third Quatrain

In the third quatrain, Brooke suggests that poetry is a form of beauty that transcends time and connects us to our innermost selves.

But there's a something in the air,
A magic stillness in the heart,
A feeling that disturbs and dare,
As if the whole world earth and sea were
Bound with a secret we apart.

Brooke uses the metaphor of a "magic stillness" to describe the feeling that poetry evokes. He suggests that there is something intangible and mysterious about poetry that transcends time and space. The reference to "the whole world earth and sea" suggests that poetry has the power to bring people together and connect them on a deeper level.

Rhyming Couplet

In the rhyming couplet, Brooke concludes the poem by emphasizing the importance of valuing poetry for its intrinsic worth.

And still the world would wag the same,
Still Rome would rule the world, still Troy be Troy.

Brooke suggests that even if we were to ignore the true value of poetry, the world would continue to function in the same way. The reference to Rome and Troy is a nod to the cyclical nature of history and suggests that time moves on regardless of our actions.

Interpretation

Brooke's Poetry, In Examination is a deeply philosophical exploration of the essence of poetry and its role in our lives. The poem suggests that poetry should be valued for its intrinsic worth rather than its utility. Brooke argues that poetry has the power to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and connect people on a deeper level.

The poem also reflects Brooke's belief that poetry is a form of beauty that transcends time and connects us to our innermost selves. Brooke suggests that there is something intangible and mysterious about poetry that cannot be explained by reason or logic.

Finally, the poem suggests that even if we were to ignore the true value of poetry, the world would continue to function in the same way. Brooke suggests that time moves on regardless of our actions and that poetry is something that endures beyond the ebb and flow of history.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Rupert Brooke's Poetry, In Examination is a masterpiece that explores the essence of poetry and its role in our lives. The poem suggests that poetry should be valued for its intrinsic worth rather than its utility and that it has the power to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and connect people on a deeper level. Brooke's use of metaphors and allusions to Greek mythology adds depth and complexity to the poem, and his philosophical musings reflect his belief in the enduring power of poetry. Overall, Poetry, In Examination is a timeless piece of literature that continues to inspire and challenge readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry In Examination: A Masterpiece by Rupert Brooke

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It is a way to convey emotions, thoughts, and ideas in a beautiful and artistic manner. Rupert Brooke, a renowned English poet, has beautifully captured the essence of poetry in his masterpiece, "Poetry In Examination." This poem is a reflection of the poet's own experiences and his love for poetry. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The poem "Poetry In Examination" is a sonnet, which is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is divided into three quatrains and a final couplet. The first quatrain sets the tone of the poem and introduces the theme of poetry. The second and third quatrains explore the different aspects of poetry, while the final couplet concludes the poem with a powerful message.

The first quatrain of the poem begins with the line, "And if I have loved much." This line sets the tone of the poem and introduces the theme of love. The poet is talking about his love for poetry and how it has influenced his life. He says that if he has loved much, it is because of poetry. The second line, "And if not well, yet wisely," suggests that even if the poet has not loved well, he has loved wisely. This line implies that poetry has taught him valuable lessons about life and love.

The second quatrain of the poem explores the different aspects of poetry. The first line of this quatrain, "And if not wisely, then more learnedly," suggests that even if the poet has not loved wisely, he has learned a lot from poetry. The second line, "And if not learnedly, then more happily," implies that poetry has brought happiness to the poet's life. The third line, "And if not happily, then more patiently," suggests that poetry has taught the poet patience. The final line of this quatrain, "And if not patiently, then worthily," implies that poetry has taught the poet to live a worthy life.

The third quatrain of the poem continues to explore the different aspects of poetry. The first line of this quatrain, "And if not worthily, then not in vain," suggests that even if the poet has not lived a worthy life, his love for poetry has not been in vain. The second line, "And if in this world not fortunate," implies that the poet has not been fortunate in this world, but his love for poetry has given him a sense of purpose. The third line, "Then cherishing the hope to meet again," suggests that the poet hopes to meet poetry again in the afterlife. The final line of this quatrain, "He sends her back, not unenriched, nor pained," implies that the poet has gained something from his love for poetry, and it has not caused him any pain.

The final couplet of the poem concludes the poem with a powerful message. The first line of the couplet, "She has done all, if I have understood," suggests that poetry has done everything for the poet if he has understood its message. The final line of the poem, "Nor am I hungry for another food," implies that the poet is satisfied with his love for poetry and does not need anything else.

In conclusion, "Poetry In Examination" is a masterpiece by Rupert Brooke that beautifully captures the essence of poetry. The poem explores the different aspects of poetry and how it has influenced the poet's life. The poem is a reflection of the poet's own experiences and his love for poetry. The final couplet of the poem concludes the poem with a powerful message that suggests that poetry has done everything for the poet if he has understood its message. This poem is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to understand its true essence.

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