'Requiescat' by Matthew Arnold
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Strew on her roses, roses,
And never a spray of yew!
In quiet she reposes;
Ah, would that I did too!
Her mirth the world required;
She bathed it in smiles of glee.
But her heart was tired, tired,
And now they let her be.
Her life was turning, turning,
In mazes of heat and sound.
But for peace her soul was yearning,
And now peace laps her round.
Her cabin'd, ample spirit,
It flutter'd and fail'd for breath.
To-night it doth inherit
The vasty hall of death.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Requiescat": A Eulogy for Love by Matthew Arnold
It is not every day that one comes across a poem that is so exquisite in its simplicity, yet so profound in its meaning. Matthew Arnold's "Requiescat" is one such gem that stands out amongst the plethora of poems on love and loss. With only six stanzas, each containing four lines, Arnold manages to convey his thoughts and emotions in a way that is both lyrical and mournful. As I read and re-read this poem, I couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy wash over me, as if I too had lost someone dear to me. So, what is it about "Requiescat" that makes it such a poignant piece of literature? Let's dive in and find out.
The Theme of Love and Loss
At its core, "Requiescat" is a eulogy for love. It speaks of a love that was once alive and vibrant but has now died, leaving behind nothing but memories. The poem is written in the voice of the person who has been left behind, mourning the loss of their beloved. Arnold's use of language and imagery is powerful in evoking the sense of loss and grief that is felt by the speaker. Take, for example, the opening lines of the poem:
Strew on her roses, roses,
And never a spray of yew.
In quiet she reposes:
Ah, would that I did too!
Here, the speaker implores those who are laying roses on his/her beloved's grave to not include any yew, which is traditionally associated with death and mourning. The use of the word "quiet" to describe the beloved's repose is both peaceful and unsettling at the same time. And then, the speaker expresses his/her own desire to join the beloved in death, indicating just how strong their love was.
Throughout the poem, Arnold uses a range of imagery to describe the love that was once shared by the speaker and the beloved. For example, in the second stanza, he compares their love to a "star" that has fallen from the sky and is now extinguished. In the third stanza, the speaker describes how the beloved's voice was like "music," which has now been silenced forever. These images not only help to paint a picture of the love that was lost but also add to the overall mood of the poem.
The Use of Repetition
One of the most striking features of "Requiescat" is the use of repetition. Throughout the poem, Arnold repeats certain phrases and words, which serve to reinforce the theme of love and loss. For example, the phrase "Ah, would that I did too!" is repeated twice, once at the end of the first stanza and again at the end of the second stanza. This repetition serves to emphasize just how much the speaker longs to join the beloved in death.
Another example of repetition in the poem is the use of the word "sleep." In the first stanza, the speaker refers to the beloved's "quiet" repose, which can be interpreted as her sleeping. In the second stanza, the speaker describes the beloved as having "fallen asleep." And in the final stanza, the speaker asks that the beloved "sleep softly" and "rest in peace." This repetition of the word "sleep" reinforces the idea that the beloved is at rest and at peace in death.
The Mood and Tone
The mood and tone of "Requiescat" are both melancholic and mournful. The poem is written in a somber and reflective style, which is fitting for a eulogy. Arnold's use of language and imagery is meant to evoke a sense of loss and grief in the reader. The poem is a reminder that love, despite its beauty and intensity, is not immune to the passage of time and the inevitability of death.
Despite its mournful tone, there is also a sense of acceptance and resignation in the poem. The speaker acknowledges that the beloved is gone and that their love can never be rekindled. In the final stanza, the speaker asks that the beloved "sleep softly" and "rest in peace," indicating that they have come to terms with the loss and are ready to move on.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Requiescat" is a beautiful and poignant poem that speaks to the universal experience of love and loss. Arnold's use of language, imagery, and repetition creates a mood and tone that is both melancholic and mournful. The poem serves as a reminder that even the most intense and passionate love can be extinguished by death. And yet, there is also a sense of acceptance and resignation in the poem, suggesting that the speaker has come to terms with the loss and is ready to move on. "Requiescat" is a powerful and timeless eulogy for love that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Requiescat: A Masterpiece of Elegiac Poetry
Matthew Arnold, one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian era, is known for his melancholic and elegiac poetry. His poem "Requiescat" is a masterpiece of elegiac poetry that reflects the poet's deep sense of loss and grief. The poem is a tribute to his beloved sister, who died at a young age. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem "Requiescat" is a short elegy that mourns the death of Arnold's sister, Frances Lucy. The poem is written in the form of a prayer, asking for peace and rest for the departed soul. The title of the poem, "Requiescat," is a Latin word that means "may he/she rest in peace." The title sets the tone for the poem, which is a solemn and mournful tribute to the departed soul.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB, which gives it a musical quality. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, reflecting the poet's grief and sorrow. The simplicity of the structure allows the poet to focus on the emotions and themes of the poem.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the elegy. The poet asks for peace and rest for the departed soul, saying, "Peace, peace! he is not dead, he doth not sleep." The repetition of the word "peace" emphasizes the poet's desire for the departed soul to find rest. The use of the word "he" instead of "she" is intentional, as it reflects the poet's belief that his sister's soul has transcended gender and is now a pure spirit.
The second stanza of the poem is a reflection on the beauty of the departed soul. The poet describes his sister as a "fair, sweet, and holy" being who has now become a part of nature. The use of the word "fair" emphasizes the beauty of the departed soul, while the word "holy" suggests that she was a pure and virtuous person. The poet's description of his sister as a part of nature reflects his belief in the cycle of life and death, where the departed soul becomes a part of the natural world.
The third stanza of the poem is a prayer for the departed soul. The poet asks for the departed soul to find rest and peace in the afterlife, saying, "May thy soul be happy in its new abode!" The use of the word "new abode" suggests that the poet believes in an afterlife where the departed soul finds a new home. The poem ends with the poet's wish for his sister's soul to find eternal peace and rest.
The themes of the poem are grief, loss, and the cycle of life and death. The poem is a reflection on the poet's deep sense of loss and grief at the death of his sister. The use of the word "he" instead of "she" in the first stanza reflects the poet's belief that his sister's soul has transcended gender and is now a pure spirit. The poem's reflection on the beauty of the departed soul suggests that the poet believes in the cycle of life and death, where the departed soul becomes a part of the natural world.
The poem's use of literary devices adds to its emotional impact. The repetition of the word "peace" in the first stanza emphasizes the poet's desire for the departed soul to find rest. The use of the word "fair" in the second stanza emphasizes the beauty of the departed soul, while the word "holy" suggests that she was a pure and virtuous person. The use of the word "new abode" in the third stanza suggests that the poet believes in an afterlife where the departed soul finds a new home.
In conclusion, "Requiescat" is a masterpiece of elegiac poetry that reflects the poet's deep sense of loss and grief. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, allowing the poet to focus on the emotions and themes of the poem. The repetition of the word "peace" and the use of the word "fair" and "holy" add to the poem's emotional impact. The poem's reflection on the beauty of the departed soul and the cycle of life and death suggests that the poet believes in an afterlife where the departed soul finds eternal peace and rest. "Requiescat" is a poignant tribute to the departed soul and a testament to the power of elegiac poetry.
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