'Abou Ben Adhem' by Leigh Hunt
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Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight of his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:-
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
'What writest thou?' - The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered 'The names of those who love the Lord.'
'And is mine one?' said Abou. 'Nay, not so,'
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said 'I pray thee then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow-men.'
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names who love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Abou Ben Adhem by Leigh Hunt: An Interpretation and Literary Criticism
“Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold—
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said,
‘What writest thou?’—The vision raised its head,
And, with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered, ‘The names of those who love the Lord.’”
These words are the opening stanza of the poem “Abou Ben Adhem” by Leigh Hunt. At first glance, the poem may seem like a simple narrative about a man named Abou Ben Adhem who had a dream about an angel writing the names of those who love the Lord. However, upon closer inspection, this poem reveals itself to be a work of intricate beauty and profound meaning.
Historical Context
Before diving into the interpretation of the poem, it is important to provide a brief historical context. Leigh Hunt was a British essayist, critic, and poet. He was born in 1784 and lived through tumultuous times in British history, including the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Hunt was a friend of many of the Romantic poets, including John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Lord Byron.
Hunt’s poem “Abou Ben Adhem” was first published in The Monthly Magazine in 1834. The poem was inspired by a story that Hunt had heard about a Muslim saint named Ibrahim ibn Adham. According to the story, Ibrahim ibn Adham had a dream in which he saw an angel writing down the names of those who loved God. When he woke up, he asked the angel if his name was on the list. The angel replied that his name was not on the list, but that he could make the list if he gave up his wealth and his comfortable life to serve God.
Literary Analysis
Now, let us turn to the interpretation of the poem. The poem begins with the introduction of Abou Ben Adhem, a man who had a dream about an angel writing down the names of those who loved the Lord. The fact that Abou Ben Adhem is described as having a “tribe” suggests that he is a person of importance and influence. This is reinforced by the fact that he is not simply “Abou Ben Adhem,” but “Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!).”
Abou Ben Adhem is described as having a “deep dream of peace.” This phrase suggests that Abou Ben Adhem is a person who values tranquility and inner peace. The fact that he is able to experience such a dream suggests that he is a person who is at peace with himself and the world around him.
The angel that Abou Ben Adhem sees in his dream is described as “Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom.” The use of the simile “like a lily in bloom” suggests that the angel is beautiful and pure. The fact that the angel is “making it rich” suggests that the angel is adding value or significance to the room.
The angel is writing in a book of gold. The use of the word “gold” suggests that the book is valuable and important. The fact that the angel is writing in the book suggests that the book is a record of some kind.
Abou Ben Adhem asks the angel what it is writing. The fact that he is able to speak to the angel suggests that he is a person who is not afraid of the unknown or the supernatural. He is curious and interested in learning more about the angel and what it is doing.
The angel responds to Abou Ben Adhem’s question by saying that it is writing down the names of those who love the Lord. The fact that the angel is writing down the names of those who love the Lord suggests that the book is a record of God’s faithful servants. The fact that the angel responds to Abou Ben Adhem’s question suggests that Abou Ben Adhem is one of those faithful servants.
Abou Ben Adhem is a Muslim, not a Christian. The fact that he is included in the book of God’s faithful servants suggests that the poem is not about a Christian God, but about a universal God who loves all of his faithful servants, regardless of their religion.
The poem ends with the famous lines, “And is mine one? said Abou. Nay, not so,
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said, I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”
The fact that Abou Ben Adhem’s name is not in the book of God’s faithful servants suggests that he is not perfect. However, the fact that he responds with grace and humility suggests that he is a person of great moral character. He does not become angry or upset that his name is not on the list. Instead, he asks the angel to write him down as one who loves his fellow men. This suggests that Abou Ben Adhem believes that loving one’s fellow men is just as important as loving God.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Abou Ben Adhem” by Leigh Hunt is a poem of profound meaning and universal significance. The poem suggests that God loves all of his faithful servants, regardless of their religion. The poem also suggests that loving one’s fellow men is just as important as loving God. The poem is a reminder that we should all strive to be like Abou Ben Adhem: people of great moral character who are not afraid to ask questions or seek knowledge, people who value inner peace, and people who love their fellow men.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Abou Ben Adhem: A Timeless Classic
Poetry has the power to evoke emotions, inspire, and leave a lasting impression on its readers. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "Abou Ben Adhem" by Leigh Hunt. This poem, first published in 1834, has been widely acclaimed for its simplicity, beauty, and message of love and compassion. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices used by the poet.
The poem tells the story of Abou Ben Adhem, a devout Muslim who lived in Damascus. One night, he woke up to find an angel in his room, writing in a book of gold. When Abou asked the angel what he was writing, the angel replied that he was writing down the names of those who loved God. Abou Ben Adhem asked the angel if his name was on the list, and the angel replied that it was not. Undeterred, Abou Ben Adhem asked the angel to write down his name as one who loved his fellow men. The angel complied and disappeared. The next night, the angel returned and showed Abou Ben Adhem a list of those who loved God. To his surprise, Abou Ben Adhem's name was at the top of the list.
The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, with two quatrains (four-line stanzas) and an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem's simplicity is intentional, as it emphasizes the poem's message of love and compassion. The poem's opening line, "Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)" is a traditional Arabic blessing, which sets the tone for the poem's message of love and unity.
The poem's literary devices are also noteworthy. The use of an angel as a messenger is a common motif in religious literature, and it adds a mystical element to the poem. The repetition of Abou Ben Adhem's name throughout the poem emphasizes his importance and reinforces the poem's message of love and compassion. The use of the phrase "writeth" instead of "writes" adds an archaic tone to the poem, which gives it a timeless quality.
The poem's message of love and compassion is universal and timeless. It transcends religious and cultural boundaries and speaks to the human condition. Abou Ben Adhem's request to the angel to write down his name as one who loved his fellow men is a powerful statement of his character. It shows that he valued love and compassion above all else, and that he recognized the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.
The poem's message is particularly relevant in today's world, where there is so much division and hatred. The poem reminds us that we are all human beings, and that we should treat each other with kindness and compassion. It also reminds us that our actions speak louder than words, and that we should strive to be kind and compassionate in everything we do.
In conclusion, "Abou Ben Adhem" is a timeless classic that has stood the test of time. Its message of love and compassion is universal and relevant, and its simple structure and literary devices make it a powerful and memorable poem. As we navigate through life, let us remember the message of this poem and strive to be like Abou Ben Adhem, one who loved his fellow men.
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