'If Thou Could'st Empty All Thyself Of Self' by Sir Thomas Browne

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A Ring of Endless LightIf thou could'st empty all thyself of self,Like to a shell dishabited,
Then might He find thee on the ocean shelf,And say, "This is not dead,"
And fill thee with Himself instead.But thou are all replete with very thou
And hast such shrewd activity,
That when He comes He says, "This is enow
Unto itself - 'twere better let it be,
It is so small and full, there is no room for me."

Editor 1 Interpretation

If Thou Could'st Empty All Thyself Of Self: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Introduction

"If Thou Could'st Empty All Thyself Of Self" is a poem written by Sir Thomas Browne, a seventeenth-century English author, physician, and philosopher. The poem is a meditation on the concept of selfhood, exploring the idea of self-emptying as a means to spiritual enlightenment. This literary criticism and interpretation will explore the themes and motifs present in the poem, providing an analysis of its meaning and significance.

Analysis

The poem is structured as a series of couplets, each consisting of two lines of iambic pentameter. The rhythm of the poem is deliberate and measured, reflecting the contemplative mood of the speaker. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem: "If thou could'st empty all thyself of self, / Like to a shell dishabited." Here, Browne is suggesting that the key to spiritual enlightenment lies in emptying oneself of ego and self-interest, in order to become like an empty shell.

The metaphor of the shell is a recurring motif throughout the poem. In the second couplet, Browne writes: "Then might He find thee on the Ocean's foam, / And say: 'This is a pearl that sleeps within.'" The image of the pearl within the shell is a metaphor for the essential self that lies dormant within the individual. By emptying oneself of self, one can uncover this pearl and attain spiritual enlightenment.

Browne also explores the idea of the self as a barrier to connection with others. In the third couplet, he writes: "So in thyself thyself if thou dost see, / As thy sole being, center'd in thee." Here, Browne is suggesting that by seeing oneself as the center of one's own universe, one is unable to connect with others. Only by emptying oneself of self can one truly connect with others and with the divine.

The poem continues in this vein, exploring the idea of self-emptying as a means to spiritual enlightenment. The final couplet reads: "And thus thyself shall be to Him express'd, / And He thy joy in everlastingness." Here, Browne suggests that by emptying oneself of self, one can become an expression of the divine and attain everlasting joy.

Interpretation

"If Thou Could'st Empty All Thyself Of Self" is a poem that speaks to the human desire for spiritual enlightenment and connection with the divine. Browne suggests that the key to attaining this connection lies in emptying oneself of ego and self-interest, in order to uncover the essential self that lies within. This essential self is likened to a pearl within a shell, waiting to be discovered.

The poem also speaks to the idea that the self can be a barrier to connection with others. By seeing oneself as the center of one's own universe, one is unable to truly connect with others and with the divine. Only by emptying oneself of self can one attain true connection and joy.

The poem's message is one of hope and optimism. Browne suggests that through self-emptying, we can attain spiritual enlightenment and everlasting joy. However, the poem also acknowledges the difficulty of this task. Emptying oneself of self is not an easy task, and requires a great deal of self-reflection and introspection.

Conclusion

"If Thou Could'st Empty All Thyself Of Self" is a poem that speaks to the human desire for spiritual enlightenment and connection with the divine. Browne's use of metaphor and imagery creates a contemplative mood, reflecting the poem's themes of self-emptying and connection. Through his exploration of these themes, Browne suggests that by emptying oneself of self, one can uncover the essential self within and attain spiritual enlightenment and everlasting joy.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

If Thou Could'st Empty All Thyself Of Self: A Deep Dive into Sir Thomas Browne's Classic Poetry

Sir Thomas Browne, a 17th-century English author, physician, and philosopher, is known for his profound writings that explore the complexities of human existence. Among his many works, his poem "If Thou Could'st Empty All Thyself Of Self" stands out as a masterpiece of introspection and self-reflection. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's meaning, structure, and language, and explore how it speaks to the human condition.

The poem begins with a powerful statement: "If thou could'st empty all thyself of self." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the idea of selflessness. Browne is asking the reader to imagine a state of being in which one is completely devoid of ego, of self-interest, and of any sense of individuality. This is a challenging concept to grasp, as our sense of self is so deeply ingrained in our psyche. However, Browne suggests that this state of selflessness is not only possible but desirable.

The second line of the poem reads, "Like to a shell dishabited." Here, Browne uses a metaphor to describe the state of emptiness he is imagining. A shell that is "dishabited" is a shell that has been abandoned by its inhabitant. It is empty, hollow, and devoid of life. Browne is suggesting that this is what we should strive for - a state of emptiness that is free from the constraints of the self.

The third line of the poem reads, "Then might He find thee on the Ocean's foam." Here, Browne introduces the idea of God, or a higher power, who is searching for us. The image of the ocean's foam suggests a vast and infinite expanse, and Browne is suggesting that if we can empty ourselves of self, we will be more open to the divine. This is a common theme in Browne's writing - the idea that we are all connected to a higher power, and that by emptying ourselves of ego, we can become more attuned to this connection.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "A pearl in bosom of the deep." Here, Browne continues the metaphor of the ocean, suggesting that if we can achieve a state of selflessness, we will become like a pearl - something precious and valuable that is hidden away in the depths of the ocean. This is a powerful image, as it suggests that our true value lies not in our individuality or our ego, but in our ability to connect with something greater than ourselves.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "Or a rose in the wildwood's shade." Here, Browne introduces a new metaphor - that of a rose in the wildwood's shade. This image suggests something delicate and beautiful, but also something that is hidden away and not easily seen. Browne is suggesting that if we can empty ourselves of self, we will become like this rose - something that is beautiful and valuable, but not necessarily recognized by the world at large.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "Then would His Hand enclose thee." Here, Browne returns to the idea of God, suggesting that if we can achieve a state of selflessness, we will be embraced by a higher power. The image of God's hand enclosing us suggests a sense of protection and safety, as if we are being held in a loving embrace.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "For who would set his wit to so foolish a bird." Here, Browne introduces a new idea - that of the foolishness of the ego. He is suggesting that our sense of self is ultimately futile and meaningless, and that we should not waste our time and energy trying to protect it. This is a radical idea, as our sense of self is so deeply ingrained in our psyche. However, Browne is suggesting that if we can let go of our ego, we will be free to connect with something greater than ourselves.

The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "As to misspend his hours in vain discourse." Here, Browne concludes the poem with a warning against wasting our time and energy on meaningless pursuits. He is suggesting that if we can achieve a state of selflessness, we will be free to pursue more meaningful and fulfilling endeavors.

In terms of structure, the poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a common meter in English poetry. This gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow, and helps to emphasize the key ideas and themes. The poem is also divided into eight lines, which gives it a sense of symmetry and balance.

In terms of language, the poem is rich with metaphors and imagery. Browne uses the ocean, the pearl, the rose, and God's hand to create vivid and powerful images that help to convey his ideas. He also uses language that is both simple and profound, which makes the poem accessible to a wide range of readers.

Overall, "If Thou Could'st Empty All Thyself Of Self" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the idea of selflessness and its connection to a higher power. Browne's use of metaphors and imagery creates a vivid and compelling picture of what it means to let go of the ego and connect with something greater than ourselves. This is a challenging concept to grasp, but Browne's poem offers a powerful reminder of the value of selflessness and the importance of connecting with something greater than ourselves.

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