'The Great Lover' by Rupert Brooke

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I have been so great a lover: filled my days
So proudly with the splendour of Love's praise,
The pain, the calm, and the astonishment,
Desire illimitable, and silent content,
And all dear names men use, to cheat despair,
For the perplexed and viewless streams that bear
Our hearts at random down the dark of life.
Now, ere the unthinking silence on that strife
Steals down, I would cheat drowsy Death so far,
My night shall be remembered for a star
That outshone all the suns of all men's days.
Shall I not crown them with immortal praise
Whom I have loved, who have given me, dared with me
High secrets, and in darkness knelt to see
The inenarrable godhead of delight?
Love is a flame;-we have beaconed the world's night.
A city:-and we have built it, these and I.
An emperor:-we have taught the world to die.
So, for their sakes I loved, ere I go hence,
And the high cause of Love's magnificence,
And to keep loyalties young, I'll write those names
Golden for ever, eagles, crying flames,
And set them as a banner, that men may know,
To dare the generations, burn, and blow
Out on the wind of Time, shining and streaming...
These I have loved:
White plates and cups, clean-gleaming,
Ringed with blue lines; and feathery, faery dust;
Wet roofs, beneath the lamp-light; the strong crust
Of friendly bread; and many-tasting food;
Rainbows; and the blue bitter smoke of wood;
And radiant raindrops couching in cool flowers;
And flowers themselves, that sway through sunny hours,
Dreaming of moths that drink them under the moon;
Then, the cool kindliness of sheets, that soon
Smooth away trouble; and the rough male kiss
Of blankets; grainy wood; live hair that is
Shining and free; blue-massing clouds; the keen
Unpassioned beauty of a great machine;
The benison of hot water; furs to touch;
The good smell of old clothes; and other such-The comfortable smell of friendly fingers,
Hair's fragrance, and the musty reek that lingers
About dead leaves and last year's ferns...
Dear names,
And thousand other throng to me! Royal flames;
Sweet water's dimpling laugh from tap or spring;
Holes in the groud; and voices that do sing;
Voices in laughter, too; and body's pain,
Soon turned to peace; and the deep-panting train;
Firm sands; the little dulling edge of foam
That browns and dwindles as the wave goes home;
And washen stones, gay for an hour; the cold
Graveness of iron; moist black earthen mould;
Sleep; and high places; footprints in the dew;
And oaks; and brown horse-chestnuts, glossy-new;-And new-peeled sticks; and shining pools on grass;-All these have been my loves. And these shall pass,
Whatever passes not, in the great hour,
Nor all my passion, all my prayers, have power
To hold them with me through the gate of Death.
They'll play deserter, turn with the traitor breath,
Break the high bond we made, and sell Love's trust
And sacramented covenant to the dust.
- Oh, never a doubt but, somewhere, I shall wake,
And give what's left of love again, and make
New friends, now strangers...
But the best I've known
Stays here, and changes, breaks, grows old, is blown
About the winds of the world, and fades from brains
Of living men, and dies.
Nothing remains.O dear my loves, O faithless, once again
This one last gift I give: that after men
Shall know, and later lovers, far-removed,
Praise you, "All these were lovely"; say "He loved".

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Great Lover by Rupert Brooke: A Masterpiece of Love and Passion

When it comes to poetry about love and passion, few poets can match the brilliance of Rupert Brooke. In his famous poem, "The Great Lover," he captures the essence of desire, longing, and devotion with stunning imagery and lyrical language. As we delve into this masterpiece of poetry, we will explore its themes, structure, and symbolism and uncover the hidden meaning behind the words.

The Themes of Love and Passion

At its core, "The Great Lover" is a poem about love and passion. Brooke's speaker is consumed by his desire for the unnamed lover, and he paints a vivid picture of his longing with every word. The poem is divided into three stanzas, with each one exploring a different aspect of the speaker's love.

In the first stanza, the speaker describes the physical aspects of his lover. He is struck by her beauty and grace, and he longs to be near her:

I have been so great a lover: filled my days
So proudly with the splendour of Love's praise,
The pain, the calm, and the astonishment,
Desire illimitable, and still content,
And all dear names men use, to cheat despair,
For the perplexed and viewless streams that bear
Our hearts at random down the dark of life.

This stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the speaker's devotion and passion. He is willing to endure pain and uncertainty for the chance to be with his lover, and he finds comfort in the power of their love.

The second stanza shifts focus to the emotional aspects of the speaker's love. He speaks of the intense emotions that he experiences when he is with his lover:

And now, O Love, thy shafts unerring fly,
Nor vainly coy, nor yet beguiled with joy;
And on thy wings, and in thine arms, I lie,
A skilled archer, only less than thou,
A messenger, thy message to the world,
A prophet of thy worth; a worm and no man,
Thy servant; yet no servant of thy servants I.

Here, we see the speaker's willingness to submit to love completely. He is willing to be vulnerable, to expose himself to the pain and pleasure of love. This stanza also shows the speaker's determination to spread the message of love to the world. He sees himself as a messenger and prophet of love, a role that he takes seriously.

The final stanza moves from the emotional to the spiritual aspects of love. The speaker sees his lover as a divine being, elevated above the mundane world:

O Lady, we receive but what we give,
And in our life alone does Nature live:
Ours is her wedding-garment, ours her shroud!
And would we aught behold, of higher worth,
Than that inanimate cold world allowed
To the poor loveless ever-anxious crowd,
Ah, from the soul itself must issue forth
A light, a glory, a fair luminous cloud
Enveloping the Earth—
And from the soul itself must there be sent
A sweet and potent voice, of its own birth,
Of all sweet sounds the life and element!

This stanza is a beautiful meditation on the transcendent nature of love. The speaker sees his lover as a symbol of the divine, and he believes that only through love can we truly connect with the world around us. This stanza also echoes the Romantic tradition, with its emphasis on the power of the individual soul to create beauty and meaning.

The Structure and Symbolism of "The Great Lover"

"The Great Lover" is a beautifully structured poem, with each stanza building on the themes of the previous one. The first stanza sets up the speaker's passion, while the second stanza delves deeper into his emotions. The final stanza takes the poem to a spiritual level, exploring the transcendent nature of love.

The poem is rich in symbolism, as well. The speaker's use of imagery helps to create a vivid picture of his love and longing. He speaks of his desire as "unerring shafts" and his lover as a "wedding-garment," symbols that suggest the power and importance of their love.

The speaker's use of nature imagery is also significant. He speaks of "viewless streams" and "the dark of life," suggesting the uncertainty and randomness of the world. But he also speaks of a "luminous cloud" that can envelop the Earth, suggesting the power of love to create beauty and meaning in the world.

Interpreting "The Great Lover"

As we read "The Great Lover," we must ask ourselves: what is the speaker really saying about love and passion? Is he suggesting that love is worth enduring pain and uncertainty? Is he arguing that love is a transcendent force that can bring meaning to our lives?

One interpretation is that the speaker is suggesting that love is a complex and multifaceted emotion. It can bring pain and uncertainty, but it can also bring joy and beauty. It can be physical, emotional, and spiritual, all at the same time. And it can transform us, elevating us above the mundane concerns of the world.

Another interpretation is that the speaker is suggesting that love is a kind of rebellion against the world. In a world where everything is uncertain and random, love is a force that can bring order and meaning. It is a way of asserting our individuality and our connection to the world around us.

Whatever interpretation we choose, there is no denying the power and beauty of "The Great Lover." It is a masterpiece of poetry, capturing the essence of love and passion in a way that few other poems can. It is a tribute to the power of human emotion, and a testament to the enduring nature of true love.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Great Lover: A Poem of Passion and Longing

Rupert Brooke's "The Great Lover" is a classic poem that captures the essence of passion and longing. Written in 1912, the poem is a celebration of the intense emotions that come with being in love. It is a poem that speaks to the heart and soul of the reader, evoking feelings of desire, yearning, and ecstasy.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of love. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker declaring his desire for a life of passion and adventure. He longs to experience all that life has to offer, to feel the rush of excitement that comes with taking risks and living on the edge. He wants to be a great lover, a man who is not afraid to pursue his desires and live life to the fullest.

The second stanza is a meditation on the nature of love itself. The speaker reflects on the many different forms that love can take, from the pure and innocent love of a child to the passionate and all-consuming love of an adult. He acknowledges that love can be both a blessing and a curse, bringing joy and happiness but also pain and heartache. Despite the risks, however, he remains committed to the pursuit of love, knowing that it is the only thing that truly matters in life.

The final stanza is a declaration of the speaker's commitment to love. He vows to live his life in pursuit of love, to never settle for anything less than the passion and intensity that he craves. He acknowledges that love may be fleeting, that it may come and go like the seasons, but he remains steadfast in his belief that it is worth the risk. He is a great lover, a man who is willing to give everything for the sake of love.

One of the most striking aspects of "The Great Lover" is its use of imagery. Brooke employs a wide range of metaphors and similes to convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions. He compares love to a flame that burns bright and hot, to a storm that rages and destroys, to a flower that blooms and fades. These images are powerful and evocative, capturing the essence of love in all its complexity and beauty.

Another notable feature of the poem is its use of language. Brooke's writing is rich and lyrical, with a musical quality that adds to the emotional impact of the poem. He uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and flow, drawing the reader into the world of the poem. His words are carefully chosen and arranged, creating a vivid and unforgettable portrait of love and longing.

Overall, "The Great Lover" is a masterpiece of poetry, a timeless work that speaks to the heart of the human experience. It is a poem that celebrates the power of love, the beauty of passion, and the joy of living life to the fullest. It is a poem that inspires us to be great lovers, to pursue our dreams and desires with courage and conviction. It is a poem that reminds us of the importance of love in our lives, and the transformative power that it can have.

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