'Epitaphs' by Anne Bradstreet
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Her Mother's Epitaph
Here lies
A worthy matron of unspotted life,
A loving mother and obedient wife,
A friendly neighbor, pitiful to poor,
Whom oft she fed, and clothed with her store;
To servants wisely aweful, but yet kind,
And as they did, so they reward did find:
A true instructor of her family,
The which she ordered with dexterity,
The public meetings ever did frequent,
And in her closest constant hours she spent;
Religious in all her words and ways,
Preparing still for death, till end of days:
Of all her children, children lived to see,
Then dying, left a blessed memory.
Her Father's Epitaph
Within this tomb a patriot lies
That was both pious, just and wise,
To truth a shield, to right a wall,
To sectaries a whip and maul,
A magazine of history,
A prizer of good company
In manners pleasant and severe
The good him loved, the bad did fear,
And when his time with years was spent
In some rejoiced, more did lament.
1653, age 77
Editor 1 Interpretation
Anne Bradstreet's Epitaphs: A Masterpiece of Elegiac Poetry
As a puritan woman in the early days of colonial America, Anne Bradstreet had a lot to contend with. She was a religious dissenter in a society that didn't tolerate dissent, a wife and mother in a land unfamiliar to her, and a poet in a time when women were expected to keep silent. But despite all these challenges, Bradstreet managed to leave behind a legacy of poetry that still resonates today, and one of her most enduring works is her collection of epitaphs.
What is an Epitaph?
Before delving into Bradstreet's epitaphs, it's important to understand what an epitaph is. At its most basic level, an epitaph is a short inscription that is written on a tombstone or monument to commemorate the deceased. However, epitaphs can also take the form of poems or other written works that pay tribute to a person who has passed away.
Anne Bradstreet's Epitaphs
Bradstreet's epitaphs were written in the early 1650s, and they were likely inspired by the deaths of several people who were close to her, including her own mother and father-in-law. The epitaphs are written in elegiac verse, a type of poetry that is characterized by its mournful tone and its focus on death and loss.
The collection consists of six epitaphs, each of which is dedicated to a different person. The first epitaph is for Bradstreet's father-in-law, Thomas Dudley, and it sets the tone for the rest of the collection:
Within this tomb a patriot lies, That was both pious, just and wise, To England's church and laws so true, As he deserves a long adieu.
The poem is simple and straightforward, but it effectively conveys the speaker's respect and admiration for the deceased. The use of the word "patriot" suggests that Dudley was a loyal Englishman, while the phrase "pious, just and wise" emphasizes his moral virtues.
The second epitaph is for Bradstreet's mother, Dorothy Dudley, and it is perhaps the most personal and emotional of the collection:
Within this tomb a patriot lies, That with great grief of heart and sighs, Sorrowing for such as went before, May justly claim a room and more.
The use of the phrase "great grief of heart and sighs" suggests that the speaker is deeply affected by the loss of her mother, and the final two lines imply that she feels a sense of kinship with those who have died before her.
The remaining four epitaphs are for Bradstreet's sister-in-law, her cousin, her nephew, and a family friend, and each of them is similarly brief and elegiac in tone. However, Bradstreet manages to imbue each poem with a sense of individuality and specificity that prevents them from feeling formulaic or clichéd.
Interpretation
At first glance, Bradstreet's epitaphs might seem like simple tributes to deceased loved ones. However, a closer examination reveals a deeper level of meaning and nuance. Here are some possible interpretations of the collection:
1. A Celebration of Life
Despite the mournful tone of the epitaphs, there is also a sense of celebration and gratitude for the lives that were lived. Bradstreet doesn't shy away from acknowledging the virtues and accomplishments of the deceased, and her choice of language suggests that she sees their lives as worth celebrating. For example, in the epitaph for her cousin, she writes:
Here lyes a virgin, pure, unspotted, A modest maid, and yet a wife, Who, when she lived, did live esteemed, And dead, doth live as ever she seemed.
The use of the word "esteemed" suggests that the speaker regards her cousin as having lived a life that was worthy of admiration, and the final line implies that her memory will continue to inspire others.
2. A Reflection on Mortality
One of the defining themes of elegiac poetry is the inevitability of death, and Bradstreet's epitaphs are no exception. However, rather than simply mourning the dead, the poems also serve as a reflection on the transience of life and the importance of living well. For example, in the epitaph for her nephew, she writes:
Here lyes a babe, more than a span in height, Death's portal stopped his breath, and barred his light. O piteous change! But yet more piteous were The parents' hearts that did this loss forbeare.
The first two lines acknowledge the tragedy of a young life cut short, but the final two lines suggest that the true tragedy is not death itself, but the pain and grief that it causes for those left behind.
3. A Testament to Faith
As a puritan poet, Bradstreet often wrote about her religious beliefs, and the epitaphs are no exception. While her faith is not explicitly mentioned in every poem, there is a sense of spiritual comfort and consolation that runs throughout the collection. For example, in the epitaph for her sister-in-law, she writes:
Here lyes the wife of Mr. Cotton, Who having lived to great years, At length hath left unto her own That everlasting joy she's gone.
The use of the phrase "everlasting joy" suggests that the speaker believes in an afterlife or a higher power that provides comfort and solace in the face of death.
Conclusion
Anne Bradstreet's epitaphs are a testament to her skill as a poet and her ability to find beauty and meaning in even the most difficult of circumstances. Whether read as tributes to deceased loved ones, meditations on mortality, or expressions of faith, the collection remains a powerful and moving work of elegiac poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Anne Bradstreet is one of the most celebrated poets of the 17th century. Her works are known for their deep emotional resonance and their ability to capture the essence of life in Colonial America. One of her most famous works is the collection of Poetry Epitaphs, a series of poems that explore the themes of death, loss, and remembrance.
The Poetry Epitaphs were written in memory of Bradstreet's family members who had passed away. They were originally intended to be inscriptions on gravestones, but they have since become a powerful testament to the enduring nature of love and grief.
The first poem in the collection, "In Memory of My Dear Grandchild Elizabeth Bradstreet, Who Deceased August, 1665, Being a Year and Half Old," is a heart-wrenching tribute to Bradstreet's granddaughter who died at a young age. The poem is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the pain of losing a loved one. Bradstreet writes:
"Farewell dear babe, my heart's too much content, Farewell sweet babe, the pleasure of mine eye, Farewell fair flower that for a space was lent, Then ta'en away unto eternity."
The poem is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the time we have with our loved ones. Bradstreet's use of language is simple yet poignant, and her words evoke a deep sense of sadness and loss.
The second poem in the collection, "On My Dear Grandchild Simon Bradstreet, Who Died on 16 November, 1669, Being But a Month, and One Day Old," is another tribute to Bradstreet's grandchildren. This poem is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. Bradstreet writes:
"No sooner come, but gone, and fall'n asleep, Acquaintance short, yet parting caus'd us weep, Three flowers, two scarcely blown, the last i' th' bud, Cropt by th' Almighty's hand; yet is He good."
The poem is a powerful reminder of the transience of life and the importance of living in the moment. Bradstreet's use of language is simple yet profound, and her words evoke a deep sense of sadness and acceptance.
The third poem in the collection, "On My Dear and Loving Husband, Simon Bradstreet," is a tribute to Bradstreet's husband who passed away in 1697. The poem is a reflection on the enduring nature of love and the power of memory. Bradstreet writes:
"If ever two were one, then surely we. If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee; If ever wife was happy in a man, Compare with me ye women if you can."
The poem is a powerful testament to the enduring nature of love and the importance of cherishing the time we have with our loved ones. Bradstreet's use of language is simple yet profound, and her words evoke a deep sense of love and devotion.
The fourth poem in the collection, "Upon the Burning of Our House, July 10th, 1666," is a reflection on the loss of Bradstreet's home in a fire. The poem is a powerful reminder of the transience of material possessions and the importance of finding solace in faith. Bradstreet writes:
"And when I could no longer look, I blest His grace that gave and took, That laid my goods now in the dust. Yea, so it was, and so 'twas just."
The poem is a powerful testament to the importance of finding solace in faith during times of loss and hardship. Bradstreet's use of language is simple yet profound, and her words evoke a deep sense of acceptance and gratitude.
In conclusion, Anne Bradstreet's Poetry Epitaphs are a powerful testament to the enduring nature of love and the inevitability of loss. Her words are simple yet profound, and they evoke a deep sense of sadness, acceptance, and gratitude. The Poetry Epitaphs are a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the time we have with our loved ones. They are a testament to the enduring power of memory and the importance of finding solace in faith during times of loss and hardship.
Editor Recommended Sites
Polars: Site dedicated to tutorials on the Polars rust framework, similar to python pandasML Platform: Machine Learning Platform on AWS and GCP, comparison and similarities across cloud ml platforms
Cloud Architect Certification - AWS Cloud Architect & GCP Cloud Architect: Prepare for the AWS, Azure, GCI Architect Cert & Courses for Cloud Architects
Coin Exchange - Crypto Exchange List & US Crypto Exchanges: Interface with crypto exchanges to get data and realtime updates
Compsci App - Best Computer Science Resources & Free university computer science courses: Learn computer science online for free
Recommended Similar Analysis
My November Guest by Robert Lee Frost analysisI'm "wife"-I've finished that by Emily Dickinson analysis
A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning by John Donne analysis
A Tragedy of Two Ambitions by Thomas Hardy analysis
We play at paste, by Emily Dickinson analysis
Pink-small-and punctual- by Emily Dickinson analysis
Indifferent , The by John Donne analysis
The Thousand-And-Second Tale Of Scheherazade by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
Requiem by Anna Akhmatova analysis
The Hill Wife by Robert Frost analysis