'Put up my lute!' by Emily Dickinson
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Put up my lute!
What of-my Music!
Since the sole ear I cared to charm-
Passive-as Granite-laps My Music-
Sobbing-will suit-as well as psalm!Would but the "Memnon" of the Desert-
Teach me the strain
That vanquished Him-
When He-surrendered to the Sunrise-
Maybe-that-would awaken-them!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Put up my lute!: A Masterpiece by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson, the reclusive American poet, is one of the greatest literary figures in the history of American literature. Her poetry is enigmatic, cryptic, and filled with paradoxes. One of her most famous poems, "Put up my lute!" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of her unique style.
An Overview of the Poem
"Put up my lute!" is a short poem consisting of two stanzas with four lines each. The poem is characterized by its simple yet powerful language, its musical quality, and its use of metaphorical language. The poem is a reflection on the nature of creativity and the artist's relationship with the world.
An Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with the speaker asking someone to "put up my lute." The lute is a musical instrument that was popular in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was typically played by court musicians and was associated with the aristocracy. In the context of the poem, the lute represents the speaker's creative impulse. The speaker is asking someone to put it away, to stop playing it.
The second line of the first stanza reads, "What of my Music!" The speaker seems to be questioning the value of their own creative work. The exclamation mark at the end of the line suggests a sense of urgency and desperation. The speaker is concerned that their work will be forgotten or dismissed.
The third line of the first stanza reads, "Since the sole ear I cared to charm." The speaker is suggesting that there is only one person who appreciates their work. The word "sole" implies that this person is the only one who matters. The speaker is expressing a sense of isolation and loneliness.
The final line of the first stanza reads, "Passive as granite laps Who charm the brook." This line is a metaphor. The speaker is suggesting that their creative work is like the music of the brook that is only appreciated by the rocks that surround it. The use of the word "passive" implies that the speaker's work is not actively sought out or appreciated.
The second stanza begins with the line, "Chant me no more." The speaker is asking someone to stop singing or reciting their work. The use of the word "chant" suggests that the speaker's work has been reduced to a series of meaningless sounds. The line also suggests a sense of weariness on the part of the speaker.
The second line of the second stanza reads, "No more the tune." The speaker is suggesting that their work has lost its meaning. The word "tune" implies that the speaker's work has become a series of repetitive sounds that have lost their originality and creativity.
The third line of the second stanza reads, "Something too much of this." The speaker is expressing a sense of frustration and disillusionment with their work. The use of the word "this" suggests that the speaker is referring to the creative process itself.
The final line of the second stanza reads, "I weary of the vast." The speaker is suggesting that their work has become too big, too overwhelming. The use of the word "weary" implies a sense of exhaustion and a desire for rest.
A Personal Interpretation
"Put up my lute!" is a poem that speaks to me on a personal level. As a writer, I can relate to the speaker's frustration with the creative process. There are times when I feel like my work is meaningless, that no one will appreciate it. There are times when I feel isolated and alone, like the speaker in the poem. But there are also times when I feel inspired, when the words flow effortlessly, when I feel like I am doing something important.
For me, the poem is a reminder that creativity is a complex and often frustrating process. It is a reminder that it is okay to feel disillusioned and frustrated with our work. But it is also a reminder that we should never give up, that our work matters, that it has value, even if it is only appreciated by a few.
Conclusion
"Put up my lute!" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of Emily Dickinson's unique style. The poem is a reflection on the nature of creativity and the artist's relationship with the world. Through its simple yet powerful language, its musical quality, and its use of metaphorical language, the poem speaks to our shared experiences as writers and artists. It is a reminder that creativity is a complex and often frustrating process, but that our work matters and has value, even if it is only appreciated by a few.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been used for centuries to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of the 19th century, was known for her unique style of writing that often explored themes of death, nature, and spirituality. One of her most famous poems, "Put up my lute!", is a powerful piece that delves into the complexities of life and the inevitability of death.
The poem begins with the speaker asking for her lute to be put away, as she no longer has the desire to play it. The lute, a stringed instrument that was popular during the Renaissance period, is often associated with music and poetry. In this context, the lute represents the speaker's creative spirit and her ability to express herself through art. However, the speaker's decision to put away her lute suggests that she has lost her passion for poetry and is no longer interested in creating.
The second stanza of the poem reveals the reason behind the speaker's decision to give up her lute. She says, "All my serenade / To the queen of pearl / Who has left me alone / For the sepulcher." Here, the speaker is referring to the queen of pearl, who is likely a metaphor for someone she loved and lost. The queen of pearl has left the speaker alone, and the speaker is now left to mourn her loss. The sepulcher, which is a tomb or burial chamber, represents death and the finality of life. The speaker's use of this imagery suggests that she is struggling to come to terms with the inevitability of death and the loss of her loved one.
In the third stanza, the speaker continues to express her grief and despair. She says, "And the harp of life / Has a weary tone / And the rose in song / Is a sigh alone." The harp of life represents the speaker's existence, and the fact that it has a "weary tone" suggests that she is tired of living. The rose, which is often associated with love and beauty, is now reduced to a "sigh alone," indicating that the speaker's joy and happiness have been replaced by sadness and despair.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says, "And is there life on earth? / And is there love in heaven? / Ah! Sweetly to have breathed / In that air / Till the ceaseless tide of time / Like an ever-flowing stream / Shall bear us to the sea." Here, the speaker is questioning the meaning of life and whether there is love beyond death. She longs to have lived in a world where love is eternal and death is not the end. The final lines of the poem, "Till the ceaseless tide of time / Like an ever-flowing stream / Shall bear us to the sea," suggest that the speaker is resigned to the fact that death is inevitable and that we will all eventually be carried away by the passage of time.
In conclusion, "Put up my lute!" is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of life and the inevitability of death. Through her use of imagery and metaphor, Emily Dickinson conveys the speaker's sense of loss and despair, as well as her longing for a world where love is eternal. The poem is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with our loved ones.
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