'Bacchanalia or The New Age' by Matthew Arnold
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I
The evening comes, the fields are still.
The tinkle of the thirsty rill,
Unheard all day, ascends again;
Deserted is the half-mown plain,
Silent the swaths! the ringing wain,
The mower's cry, the dog's alarms,
All housed within the sleeping farms!
The business of the day is done,
The last-left haymaker is gone.
And from the thyme upon the height,
And from the elder-blossom white
And pale dog-roses in the hedge,
And from the mint-plant in the sedge,
In puffs of balm the night-air blows
The perfume which the day forgoes.
And on the pure horizon far,
See, pulsing with the first-born star,
The liquid sky above the hill!
The evening comes, the fields are still.
Loitering and leaping,
With saunter, with bounds--
Flickering and circling
In files and in rounds--
Gaily their pine-staff green
Tossing in air,
Loose o'er their shoulders white
Showering their hair--
See! the wild Maenads
Break from the wood,
Youth and Iacchus
Maddening their blood.
See! through the quiet land
Rioting they pass--
Fling the fresh heaps about,
Trample the grass.
Tear from the rifled hedge
Garlands, their prize;
Fill with their sports the field,
Fill with their cries.
Shepherd, what ails thee, then?
Shepherd, why mute?
Forth with thy joyous song!
Forth with thy flute!
Tempts not the revel blithe?
Lure not their cries?
Glow not their shoulders smooth?
Melt not their eyes?
Is not, on cheeks like those,
Lovely the flush?
--Ah, so the quiet was!
So was the hush!
II
The epoch ends, the world is still.
The age has talk'd and work'd its fill--
The famous orators have shone,
The famous poets sung and gone,
The famous men of war have fought,
The famous speculators thought,
The famous players, sculptors, wrought,
The famous painters fill'd their wall,
The famous critics judged it all.
The combatants are parted now--
Uphung the spear, unbent the bow,
The puissant crown'd, the weak laid low.
And in the after-silence sweet,
Now strifes are hush'd, our ears doth meet,
Ascending pure, the bell-like fame
Of this or that down-trodden name,
Delicate spirits, push'd away
In the hot press of the noon-day.
And o'er the plain, where the dead age
Did its now silent warfare wage--
O'er that wide plain, now wrapt in gloom,
Where many a splendour finds its tomb,
Many spent fames and fallen mights--
The one or two immortal lights
Rise slowly up into the sky
To shine there everlastingly,
Like stars over the bounding hill.
The epoch ends, the world is still.
Thundering and bursting
In torrents, in waves--
Carolling and shouting
Over tombs, amid graves--
See! on the cumber'd plain
Clearing a stage,
Scattering the past about,
Comes the new age.
Bards make new poems,
Thinkers new schools,
Statesmen new systems,
Critics new rules.
All things begin again;
Life is their prize;
Earth with their deeds they fill,
Fill with their cries.
Poet, what ails thee, then?
Say, why so mute?
Forth with thy praising voice!
Forth with thy flute!
Loiterer! why sittest thou
Sunk in thy dream?
Tempts not the bright new age?
Shines not its stream?
Look, ah, what genius,
Art, science, wit!
Soldiers like Caesar,
Statesmen like Pitt!
Sculptors like Phidias,
Raphaels in shoals,
Poets like Shakespeare--
Beautiful souls!
See, on their glowing cheeks
Heavenly the flush!
--Ah, so the silence was!
So was the hush!
The world but feels the present's spell,
The poet feels the past as well;
Whatever men have done, might do,
Whatever thought, might think it too.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Bacchanalia or The New Age: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Matthew Arnold's Bacchanalia or The New Age is a poem that explores the theme of the decadence of modern society. This classic work presents a critique of the materialistic and hedonistic values of the Victorian era, which Arnold believed were leading to the erosion of traditional values and the decay of culture.
Who is Matthew Arnold?
Before we dive into the poem, let's first explore who Matthew Arnold was. Arnold was a British poet and cultural critic who lived in the 19th century. He was born in 1822 and died in 1888.
Arnold was a prominent figure in Victorian literature and was known for his critiques of contemporary society. He was a highly respected literary figure during his time and is still considered to be one of the most important literary critics of the 19th century.
What is Bacchanalia or The New Age?
Bacchanalia or The New Age is a poem that was published in 1878. The poem is divided into two parts: Bacchanalia and The New Age.
The first part of the poem, Bacchanalia, presents a vivid picture of a wild party where the guests are drinking, dancing, and engaging in other forms of debauchery. The second part of the poem, The New Age, presents a bleak picture of modern society, which Arnold believed was characterized by moral decay and a lack of cultural values.
What is the theme of the poem?
The main theme of the poem is the decline of culture and traditional values in modern society. Arnold believed that the Victorian era was characterized by a growing focus on materialism and hedonism, which were leading to the erosion of traditional values.
The poem presents a critique of this trend, suggesting that it was leading to the decay of culture and the erosion of traditional values. Arnold believed that this trend needed to be reversed if society was to avoid a complete moral collapse.
What is the structure of the poem?
The poem is divided into two parts: Bacchanalia and The New Age. Bacchanalia is a relatively short section, comprising only 12 lines. The New Age, on the other hand, is much longer, comprising 108 lines.
Each section of the poem presents a different perspective on the theme of the decline of culture in modern society. Bacchanalia presents a vivid picture of the hedonistic and materialistic values of the Victorian era, while The New Age presents a bleak picture of the consequences of these values.
What is the tone of the poem?
The tone of the poem is critical and melancholic. Arnold is highly critical of the values of the Victorian era, presenting them as leading to the decay of culture and the erosion of traditional values.
At the same time, however, the poem is also melancholic, suggesting that the decline of culture is not something that can be easily reversed. Arnold's tone is one of sadness and regret, as he laments the loss of traditional values and the decay of culture in modern society.
What is the message of the poem?
The message of the poem is that the decline of culture in modern society is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Arnold believed that the hedonistic and materialistic values of the Victorian era were leading to the erosion of traditional values and the decay of culture.
He called for a return to traditional values and the cultivation of a more meaningful culture that was not focused solely on material gain and hedonistic pleasures. In this sense, the poem can be seen as a call to action, urging readers to take steps to reverse the decline of culture in modern society.
What is the significance of the title?
The title of the poem, Bacchanalia or The New Age, is significant because it reflects the two different perspectives presented in the poem. Bacchanalia refers to the wild party described in the first section of the poem, while The New Age refers to the era in which the poem was written.
The contrast between these two terms reflects the contrast between the hedonistic and materialistic values of the Victorian era and the more traditional values that Arnold believed were necessary for a meaningful culture.
What is the significance of the imagery used in the poem?
The imagery used in the poem is significant because it helps to convey the theme of the decline of culture in modern society. In Bacchanalia, the vivid imagery of the wild party helps to convey the hedonistic and materialistic values of the Victorian era.
In The New Age, the bleak imagery of a society in decline helps to convey the consequences of these values. The imagery used in the poem is highly symbolic, and each image serves to reinforce the overall message of the poem.
What is the significance of the language used in the poem?
The language used in the poem is significant because it helps to convey the critical and melancholic tone of the poem. Arnold's use of language is highly poetic, and he employs a range of literary devices to convey his message.
At the same time, however, the language used in the poem is also highly accessible, and Arnold's use of everyday language helps to make the poem more relatable to readers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bacchanalia or The New Age is a classic poem that explores the theme of the decline of culture in modern society. Through vivid imagery and highly symbolic language, Arnold presents a critique of the hedonistic and materialistic values of the Victorian era, which he believed were leading to the erosion of traditional values and the decay of culture.
The poem can be seen as a call to action, urging readers to take steps to reverse the decline of culture in modern society. Overall, Bacchanalia or The New Age is a powerful work that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Matthew Arnold's "Poetry Bacchanalia" or "The New Age" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of literature that captures the essence of the Victorian era and the spirit of the age. The poem is a celebration of poetry and its power to inspire and uplift the human spirit. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with an invocation to the Muse, the goddess of poetry, to inspire the poet to write. The poet then proceeds to describe the state of the world in the Victorian era, which he sees as a time of great change and upheaval. He describes the world as being in a state of transition, with old traditions and beliefs giving way to new ideas and values. The poet sees this as a time of great opportunity for poetry, as it can help to guide and inspire people through these turbulent times.
The poem is structured in three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of poetry. The first part is a celebration of the beauty and power of poetry. The poet describes poetry as a "divine art" that can transport us to a higher realm of existence. He sees poetry as a way of connecting with the divine and of transcending the limitations of our earthly existence. The poet also emphasizes the importance of form in poetry, arguing that it is the structure and rhythm of a poem that give it its power and beauty.
The second part of the poem is a critique of the poetry of the Victorian era. The poet argues that much of the poetry of his time is shallow and superficial, lacking in the depth and beauty of the great poetry of the past. He sees this as a result of the commercialization of poetry, with poets writing to please the public rather than to express their own inner vision. The poet also criticizes the tendency of Victorian poets to focus on the mundane and the trivial, rather than on the great themes of life and death.
The third part of the poem is a call to action for poets to rise to the challenge of their age. The poet urges poets to reject the shallow and superficial poetry of their time and to strive for greatness. He calls on them to embrace the great themes of life and death, and to use their poetry to inspire and uplift their fellow human beings. The poet sees this as a great responsibility, but also as a great opportunity to make a difference in the world.
The language of the poem is rich and evocative, with a strong emphasis on rhythm and sound. The poet uses a variety of poetic devices, such as alliteration, assonance, and rhyme, to create a musical quality to the poem. The language is also highly metaphorical, with the poet using images and symbols to convey his ideas. For example, he describes poetry as a "divine wine" that can intoxicate and uplift the human spirit.
In conclusion, Matthew Arnold's "Poetry Bacchanalia" or "The New Age" is a masterpiece of literature that celebrates the beauty and power of poetry. The poem is a call to action for poets to rise to the challenge of their age and to use their poetry to inspire and uplift their fellow human beings. The poem is structured in three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of poetry. The language of the poem is rich and evocative, with a strong emphasis on rhythm and sound. Overall, the poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and uplift the human spirit, even in the midst of great change and upheaval.
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