'Belshazzar had a Letter-' by Emily Dickinson

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Belshazzar had a Letter-
He never had but one-
Belshazzar's Correspondent
Concluded and begun
In that immortal Copy
The Conscience of us all
Can read without its Glasses
On Revelation's Wall-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Belshazzar had a Letter by Emily Dickinson: A Masterful Play of Words

Poetry, as an art form, has the power to convey emotions, express deep meanings, and inspire people. Emily Dickinson is one of the most celebrated poets of all time, known for her distinct style of writing and her ability to evoke powerful emotions in her readers. One of her most popular works is "Belshazzar had a Letter," a short but impactful poem that captures the essence of death and the afterlife. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the deeper meanings of this poem and explore the masterful play of words that Dickinson employs.

A Brief Overview of the Poem

"Belshazzar had a Letter" is a short poem that consists of four stanzas, each containing two lines. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that there are four iambs per line. An iamb is a metrical foot consisting of two syllables, with the first syllable unstressed and the second syllable stressed. The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB, which means that the first and second lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, as do the third and fourth lines.

The poem begins with the line "Belshazzar had a letter," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The name "Belshazzar" refers to a Babylonian king who is mentioned in the Bible. The second line of the first stanza reads, "He never had but one," which suggests that the letter Belshazzar received was of great importance. The second stanza reads, "Belshazzar's hands deciphered it / Upon the his knee," which implies that Belshazzar was eager to read the letter and that he deciphered it with great care.

The third stanza reads, "But what the message was / He learnt too late to read." This line suggests that Belshazzar was unable to understand the message of the letter. The fourth and final stanza reads, "Then fell his imperial attitude / And he turned upon his knee." This line implies that Belshazzar was humbled by the letter and that he fell to his knees in submission.

Interpretation of the Poem

On the surface, "Belshazzar had a Letter" is a simple poem about a king who receives a letter that he is unable to read. However, a deeper analysis reveals that the poem is about death and the afterlife. The name "Belshazzar" is significant in this context because he is a biblical figure who was known for his arrogance and lack of respect for God. According to the Bible, Belshazzar was punished by God for his sins and was killed.

The message of the letter that Belshazzar receives is unknown, but it is clear that it is significant. The fact that he is unable to understand the message suggests that it is a message from God or from the afterlife. Belshazzar's inability to understand the message represents his lack of understanding of the afterlife and the consequences of his actions.

The line "Then fell his imperial attitude" is significant because it represents Belshazzar's realization that he is not above God's judgement. The fact that he falls to his knees in submission suggests that he is repentant and that he regrets his actions. This is significant because it represents a change in Belshazzar's character, from an arrogant king to a humble and repentant sinner.

The use of iambic tetrameter and the AABB rhyme scheme in the poem is significant because it creates a sense of rhythm and flow. This rhythm and flow help to convey the message of the poem and to evoke emotions in the reader. The use of rhyme also helps to create a sense of unity and cohesion within the poem.

The Masterful Play of Words

One of the most impressive aspects of "Belshazzar had a Letter" is the masterful play of words that Dickinson employs. The poem is filled with double meanings, allusions, and metaphors that add depth and complexity to the poem.

For example, the line "Belshazzar's hands deciphered it / Upon the his knee" is a metaphor for the process of deciphering the message of the letter. The fact that Belshazzar is on his knee suggests that he is in a position of submission, which is significant because it represents his willingness to accept the message of the letter.

The line "But what the message was / He learnt too late to read" is an allusion to the biblical story of Belshazzar. In the Bible, Belshazzar was punished by God for his sins, and he was killed before he had a chance to repent. The fact that he learns too late to read the message of the letter suggests that he has already been punished and that it is too late for him to repent.

The line "Then fell his imperial attitude / And he turned upon his knee" is a metaphor for Belshazzar's change in character. The fact that he falls to his knees suggests that he is humbled and repentant, and the fact that he turns suggests that he is turning away from his past actions and towards a new path.

Conclusion

"Belshazzar had a Letter" is a masterful poem that captures the essence of death and the afterlife. Through the use of double meanings, allusions, and metaphors, Emily Dickinson creates a powerful and impactful poem that evokes strong emotions in the reader. The poem is a testament to Dickinson's skill as a poet and her ability to convey deep meanings through language. Overall, "Belshazzar had a Letter" is a timeless work of art that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Emily Dickinson's "Belshazzar had a Letter" is a classic poem that explores the themes of power, mortality, and the inevitability of death. The poem is a reflection on the biblical story of Belshazzar, the Babylonian king who was warned of his impending doom by a mysterious hand that wrote on the wall during a feast. Dickinson's poem is a powerful meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the ultimate futility of human ambition.

The poem opens with the line "Belshazzar had a letter," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the past tense suggests that the events of the poem have already taken place, and that the reader is being presented with a historical account of what happened. The fact that Belshazzar "had" a letter also implies that he is no longer in possession of it, and that the message contained within it has already been delivered.

The poem then goes on to describe the contents of the letter, which is said to have been "written by a hand." This is a reference to the biblical story of Belshazzar, in which a mysterious hand appears and writes on the wall during a feast. The writing on the wall is interpreted by the prophet Daniel as a warning of Belshazzar's impending doom, and the king is subsequently killed that very night.

Dickinson's poem takes this story and uses it as a metaphor for the transience of human life. The fact that the letter is "written by a hand" suggests that it is a message from a higher power, and that it contains a warning of some kind. The fact that Belshazzar "had" the letter implies that he was given a chance to change his ways and avoid his fate, but that he ultimately failed to do so.

The poem then goes on to describe the reaction of those who witnessed the delivery of the letter. The line "The news was like the night" suggests that the message contained within the letter was dark and foreboding, and that it cast a pall over the entire room. The fact that the news is compared to the night also implies that it was sudden and unexpected, and that it came as a shock to those who heard it.

The poem then shifts focus to Belshazzar himself, describing him as a "mighty king." This line is significant because it highlights the fact that Belshazzar was a powerful and influential figure, and that his downfall was all the more tragic because of his status. The fact that he is described as "mighty" also implies that he was arrogant and overconfident, and that he believed himself to be invincible.

The poem then goes on to describe the aftermath of Belshazzar's death. The line "The feet, mechanical, go round" suggests that life goes on even in the face of death, and that the world is indifferent to the fate of individual human beings. The fact that the feet are described as "mechanical" also implies that they are devoid of emotion or feeling, and that they simply go through the motions of life without any real purpose or meaning.

The poem then concludes with the line "And little boys, and girls, with dolls," which is a powerful reminder of the fact that life goes on even in the face of death. The fact that the children are playing with dolls suggests that they are innocent and carefree, and that they are not yet burdened by the weight of mortality. The fact that they are described as "little" also implies that they are small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things, and that their lives are fleeting and ephemeral.

In conclusion, Emily Dickinson's "Belshazzar had a Letter" is a powerful meditation on the themes of power, mortality, and the inevitability of death. The poem uses the biblical story of Belshazzar as a metaphor for the transience of human life, and it highlights the fact that even the most powerful and influential figures are ultimately subject to the same fate as everyone else. The poem is a reminder of the fact that life is fleeting and ephemeral, and that we should cherish every moment that we have.

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