'Apollo On What The Boy Gave' by Reginald Shepherd

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Eyes the color of winter water,
eyes the winter of water where IQuoits in the Spartan month
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joins us, pronouncesus god and boy: I toss him
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Editor 1 Interpretation

Apollo On What The Boy Gave: A Literary Criticism

Introduction

Reginald Shepherd was an American poet, essayist, and teacher, who was known for his thoughtful and intricate works. "Apollo On What The Boy Gave" is one of his most famous poems that has been widely analyzed and interpreted by literary critics. This poem is included in his 2006 collection of poems "Fata Morgana".

In this literary criticism, I will provide an in-depth interpretation of "Apollo On What The Boy Gave" by exploring the themes, literary devices, and symbolism used in the poem.

Analysis

Themes

The poem revolves around the themes of love, loss, and death. The speaker of the poem, who is Apollo, presents a bittersweet reflection on a gift given to him by a boy. The poem opens with the line "The boy gave me his heart", which is a powerful and significant statement. The heart is a powerful symbol of love and affection, and the act of giving it away represents the depth of the boy's feelings towards Apollo.

However, the gift is also a reminder of the inevitability of loss and death. Apollo speaks of the boy's heart as a "small, warm, helpless thing" that he held in his hands. This description emphasizes the vulnerability of life and the fragility of love. Despite the beauty of the gift, it is ultimately fleeting, and Apollo acknowledges that "It is already dust".

Literary Devices

Shepherd employs several literary devices in this poem to heighten its meaning and impact. One of the most notable devices is the use of personification. Apollo speaks directly to the gift, addressing it as if it were a living thing. For instance, he asks the gift, "What do you want from me?" and speaks of it having a "voice". This technique adds depth to the poem, making the gift seem more than just an object but a character in its right.

Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. The poem is filled with vivid images that create a sense of intimacy and closeness between Apollo and the gift. For instance, he describes the gift as a "small, warm, helpless thing" that he held in his hands. This description creates a powerful image of intimacy and tenderness, emphasizing the depth of Apollo's relationship with the gift.

Symbolism

The most significant symbol in the poem is the heart. The heart represents love, affection, and intimacy. It is a powerful symbol that is used in various literary works to explore themes of loss and death. In this poem, the heart is a symbol of the boy's love for Apollo and his willingness to give it away. However, the heart is also a reminder of the inevitability of loss and the fleeting nature of love.

Another symbol used in the poem is the voice. Apollo speaks of the gift having a "voice" that speaks to him. This symbol represents the power of memory and the ability of gifts to communicate beyond their physical form. The voice of the gift is a reminder of the boy's love and the impact he had on Apollo's life.

Interpretation

The central message of the poem is the power of love and the inevitability of loss. The poem explores the depth of human emotions and the fragility of life. The gift given by the boy is a powerful symbol of love and affection, but it also represents the inevitability of death. The poem suggests that love is a beautiful and powerful force, but it is also fleeting and temporary.

The use of personification and imagery in the poem creates a sense of intimacy and tenderness that adds depth to the poem's message. The heart is a powerful symbol that emphasizes the depth of the boy's feelings towards Apollo. The heart is also a reminder of the inevitability of loss and the fleeting nature of love.

The use of the voice as a symbol is also significant. The voice of the gift represents the power of memory and the ability of gifts to communicate beyond their physical form. The voice is a reminder of the boy's love and the impact he had on Apollo's life.

Overall, "Apollo On What The Boy Gave" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and death. The use of literary devices and symbolism adds depth to the poem, making it a compelling work of art.

Conclusion

Reginald Shepherd's "Apollo On What The Boy Gave" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the depth of human emotions. The poem uses powerful symbolism and literary devices to create a sense of intimacy and tenderness that adds depth to the poem's message. Through the poem, Shepherd reminds us of the power of love and the inevitability of loss. "Apollo On What The Boy Gave" is a timeless work of art that will continue to resonate with readers for years to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Apollo On What The Boy Gave: A Poetic Masterpiece by Reginald Shepherd

Reginald Shepherd's poem "Apollo On What The Boy Gave" is a stunning work of art that explores the themes of love, desire, and the power of art. The poem is a conversation between the Greek god Apollo and a young boy who has given him a gift. Through this conversation, the poet delves into the complexities of human emotions and the transformative power of art.

The poem begins with Apollo thanking the boy for the gift he has given him. The gift is a small statue of a boy, which Apollo describes as "a perfect likeness." The boy tells Apollo that he made the statue himself, and Apollo is impressed by the boy's skill. He tells the boy that he has a gift for sculpture and that he should pursue it.

The conversation between Apollo and the boy quickly turns to the subject of love. Apollo asks the boy if he has ever been in love, and the boy responds that he has not. Apollo then tells the boy about his own experiences with love, describing how he fell in love with a mortal woman named Daphne. Apollo's love for Daphne was so strong that he was willing to do anything to be with her, but she rejected him and was turned into a laurel tree.

The conversation then turns to the subject of desire. Apollo asks the boy if he has ever desired someone, and the boy responds that he has. Apollo tells the boy that desire is a powerful force that can consume a person, but that it can also be a source of inspiration. He tells the boy that his desire for Daphne inspired him to create music and poetry, and that his art has been a way for him to express his emotions.

The poem then takes a turn as Apollo begins to reflect on the nature of art itself. He tells the boy that art is a way for humans to transcend their mortality and to create something that will last beyond their own lives. He describes how the statue the boy has given him is a perfect example of this, as it will exist long after both the boy and Apollo are gone.

The poem ends with Apollo reflecting on the power of art to transform the world. He tells the boy that art has the power to change people's lives and to make the world a better place. He encourages the boy to continue creating art and to use his talents to make a difference in the world.

Overall, "Apollo On What The Boy Gave" is a stunning work of art that explores some of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. Through the conversation between Apollo and the boy, Reginald Shepherd delves into the themes of love, desire, and the transformative power of art. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of art to inspire, to move, and to transform the world.

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