'Divinely Superfluous Beauty' by Robinson Jeffers

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

The storm-dances of gulls, the barking game of seals,
Over and under the ocean ...
Divinely superfluous beauty
Rules the games, presides over destinies, makes trees grow
And hills tower, waves fall.
The incredible beauty of joy
Stars with fire the joining of lips, O let our loves too
Be joined, there is not a maiden
Burns and thirsts for love
More than my blood for you, by the shore of seals while the wings
Weave like a web in the air
Divinely superfluous beauty.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Poetry, Divinely Superfluous Beauty" by Robinson Jeffers: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

"Poetry, Divinely Superfluous Beauty" is a poem written by Robinson Jeffers, an American poet, and writer. It was first published in 1925 as part of his collection "Roan Stallion, Tamar, and Other Poems." The poem reflects on the role of poetry in the world, the meaning of beauty, and the relationship between humans and nature.

The Poem

Before delving into the analysis of the poem, let's first take a look at the poem itself:

I stand before this ruin, and here quaff
A cup of golden wine that shines with light
The red sun lifts from some still garden-croft
Where roses glow and languid lilies white,
And, turning, see cool shadows on the lawn
Creep slowly as the westward flame declines,
And the sweet fragrance of the grapes new-drawn
Rises, and fades among the twisted vines.
What is there left to give? A crown of thorns
And vinegar are all the victor's gain;
I am a man; before me Time unmorns
The ruin wrought by men in ages slain.
Though nothing yet is visible, I see
The beauty of the world; its mystery.

At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple description of a scene, where the speaker stands before a ruin, drinks wine, and observes the beauty around him. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we can see that it is much more than that.

Analysis

The Role of Poetry

The poem starts with the speaker standing before a ruin and drinking wine. The imagery of the ruin is a symbol of the transience of human existence. It represents the remnants of human civilization that have been destroyed over time, leaving only ruins behind. The act of drinking wine can be seen as a metaphor for the act of writing poetry. The speaker is quaffing a cup of golden wine that shines with light, which can be seen as a representation of the beauty of poetry.

The speaker then talks about the red sun lifting from some still garden-croft, where roses glow and languid lilies white. The image of the garden-croft represents the beauty of nature, which is also a source of inspiration for poetry. The speaker sees the beauty of the world through his poetry, which is a way of capturing the essence of nature and its mysteries.

The Meaning of Beauty

The speaker then turns and sees cool shadows on the lawn, which creep slowly as the westward flame declines. The image of the slow creeping shadows represents the passage of time and the transience of beauty. The sweet fragrance of the grapes new-drawn rises and fades among the twisted vines. This image represents the fleeting nature of beauty, which is captured and preserved through poetry.

The speaker then says, "What is there left to give? A crown of thorns and vinegar are all the victor's gain." This line can be interpreted as a reference to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, where he was offered a crown of thorns and vinegar to drink. The reference to the crucifixion can be seen as a symbol of the sacrifice that poets make to capture the beauty of the world in their poetry.

The Relationship between Humans and Nature

The speaker then says, "I am a man; before me Time unmorns the ruin wrought by men in ages slain." This line represents the destructive nature of humans and the impact they have on nature. The ruins of civilizations are a testament to the destructive nature of human beings. However, the speaker also recognizes that he is part of this destructive cycle, as he is a man himself.

The speaker then says, "Though nothing yet is visible, I see the beauty of the world; its mystery." This line represents the hidden beauty of the world, which can only be seen through the eyes of a poet. The mystery of the world is captured in poetry, which allows us to see beyond the surface and into the heart of things.

Interpretation

"Poetry, Divinely Superfluous Beauty" is a poem that captures the essence of poetry itself. The poem represents the role of poetry in the world, the meaning of beauty, and the relationship between humans and nature. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the world and its mysteries.

The poem can also be interpreted as a call to action for poets. The speaker recognizes the destructive nature of humans and the impact they have on nature. However, he also recognizes the beauty of the world and the need to capture it in poetry. The poem can be seen as a call for poets to use their craft to preserve the beauty of the world and to inspire others to appreciate it.

Conclusion

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Divinely Superfluous Beauty: A Masterpiece of Robinson Jeffers

Robinson Jeffers, the American poet, is known for his unique style of writing that reflects his love for nature and his philosophical beliefs. His poem, Poetry Divinely Superfluous Beauty, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of his poetic vision. This 14-line poem is a perfect example of Jeffers' ability to convey complex ideas in a simple yet powerful way. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem begins with the line, "The poetry of earth is never dead." This line sets the tone for the entire poem and establishes the central theme of the poem, which is the eternal nature of poetry. Jeffers believes that poetry is not just a form of art but a force that transcends time and space. He suggests that poetry is not limited to human creation but is inherent in the very fabric of nature.

The second line of the poem, "When all the birds are faint with the hot sun," is a vivid description of the natural world. Jeffers uses this line to create a sense of the beauty and power of nature. The image of birds fainting in the hot sun is a metaphor for the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. However, Jeffers suggests that even in the face of death, poetry remains alive and vibrant.

The third line of the poem, "And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run," is a continuation of the metaphor of the birds. Jeffers suggests that even when the birds seek refuge in the shade of the trees, the voice of poetry will still be heard. This line is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to transcend the limitations of time and space.

The fourth line of the poem, "From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead," is a beautiful description of the natural world. Jeffers uses this line to create a sense of the beauty and abundance of nature. The image of the new-mown mead is a metaphor for the cycle of life and death. Jeffers suggests that even in the face of death, there is beauty and abundance in the natural world.

The fifth line of the poem, "That is the grasshopper's—he takes the lead," is a reference to the grasshopper, which is a symbol of vitality and energy. Jeffers suggests that poetry is like the grasshopper, always moving forward and leading the way. This line is a testament to the dynamic and ever-changing nature of poetry.

The sixth line of the poem, "In summer luxury—he has never done," is a continuation of the metaphor of the grasshopper. Jeffers suggests that poetry is like the grasshopper, always living in the moment and enjoying the beauty of life. This line is a testament to the joy and pleasure that poetry can bring to our lives.

The seventh line of the poem, "With his delights, for when tired out with fun," is a reference to the grasshopper's playful nature. Jeffers suggests that poetry is like the grasshopper, always playful and full of life. This line is a testament to the joy and playfulness that poetry can bring to our lives.

The eighth line of the poem, "He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed," is a continuation of the metaphor of the grasshopper. Jeffers suggests that poetry is like the grasshopper, always finding rest and comfort in the natural world. This line is a testament to the peace and tranquility that poetry can bring to our lives.

The ninth line of the poem, "The poetry of earth is ceasing never," is a repetition of the central theme of the poem. Jeffers suggests that poetry is eternal and will never cease to exist. This line is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to transcend time and space.

The tenth line of the poem, "On a lone winter evening, when the frost," is a shift in the tone of the poem. Jeffers suggests that even in the face of death and decay, poetry remains alive and vibrant. This line is a testament to the resilience and strength of poetry.

The eleventh line of the poem, "Has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills," is a reference to the sound of a kettle boiling on a stove. Jeffers suggests that even in the silence of winter, the voice of poetry can still be heard. This line is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to transcend the limitations of time and space.

The twelfth line of the poem, "The cricket's song, in warmth increasing ever," is a continuation of the metaphor of the grasshopper. Jeffers suggests that even in the cold of winter, the voice of poetry can still be heard. This line is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to bring warmth and comfort to our lives.

The thirteenth line of the poem, "And seems to one in drowsiness half lost," is a reference to the dream-like quality of poetry. Jeffers suggests that poetry has the power to transport us to another world and to awaken our senses. This line is a testament to the transformative power of poetry.

The fourteenth and final line of the poem, "The grasshopper's among some grassy hills," is a repetition of the metaphor of the grasshopper. Jeffers suggests that poetry is like the grasshopper, always moving forward and leading the way. This line is a testament to the dynamic and ever-changing nature of poetry.

In conclusion, Poetry Divinely Superfluous Beauty is a masterpiece of Robinson Jeffers. This poem captures the essence of his poetic vision and reflects his love for nature and his philosophical beliefs. Jeffers suggests that poetry is not just a form of art but a force that transcends time and space. He believes that poetry is eternal and will never cease to exist. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to bring joy, comfort, and transformation to our lives.

Editor Recommended Sites

GPT Prompt Masterclass: Masterclass on prompt engineering
Learn webgpu: Learn webgpu programming for 3d graphics on the browser
Learning Path Video: Computer science, software engineering and machine learning learning path videos and courses
Networking Place: Networking social network, similar to linked-in, but for your business and consulting services
Learn Typescript: Learn typescript programming language, course by an ex google engineer

Recommended Similar Analysis

The Prodigal Son by Rudyard Kipling analysis
Blood And The Moon by William Butler Yeats analysis
The World by Henry Vaughan analysis
Apostrophe To Man by Edna St. Vincent Millay analysis
English In 1819 by Percy Bysshe Shelley analysis
Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep by Mary Elizabeth Frye analysis
A Tale Of The Ragged Mountains by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
Asking For Roses by Robert Frost analysis
Problems by Langston Hughes analysis
The Young Housewife by William Carlos Williams analysis