'The Last Word' by Matthew Arnold
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Creep into thy narrow bed,
Creep, and let no more be said!
Vain thy onset! all stands fast.
Thou thyself must break at last!Let the long contention cease!
Geese are swans, and swans are geese.
Let them have it how they will!
Thou art tired; best be still!They out-talked thee, hissed thee, tore thee?
Better men fared thus before thee;
Fired their ringing shot and passed,
Hotly charged -and sank at last.Charge once more, then, and be dumb!
Let the victors, when they come,
When thy forts of folly fail,
Find thy body by the wall!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Last Word: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Matthew Arnold's poem, The Last Word, is a powerful and insightful piece of writing that explores the themes of love, loss, and mortality. This 14-line poem is a sonnet, a poetic form that consists of 14 lines and follows a specific rhyme scheme. The Last Word is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a specific pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables.
Structure and Rhyme Scheme
The Last Word has a rhyme scheme of ABBA CDDC EFFE GG. This means that the first and fourth lines of each quatrain rhyme, and the second and third lines of each quatrain rhyme. The final couplet, which serves as a conclusion to the poem, rhymes with each other. This rhyme scheme is typical of the Italian or Petrarchan sonnet, a form that was popularized by the Italian poet Petrarch in the 14th century.
The poem's structure is also significant. The first two quatrains present an argument, while the third and fourth quatrains offer a counter-argument. The final couplet resolves the conflict and offers a conclusion. This structure is typical of the sonnet form and allows Arnold to explore complex ideas in a concise and structured manner.
Analysis of The Last Word
The poem opens with the speaker addressing his beloved, encouraging her to speak her mind freely. He tells her that she has the "last word" and that he will listen to her. This sets up the central conflict of the poem: the speaker's desire to hear his beloved's thoughts and feelings about their relationship.
In the second quatrain, the speaker describes his own feelings towards his beloved. He tells her that he is "half sick of shadows" and that he wants something more substantial. This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is dissatisfied with the superficial nature of their relationship. He wants something real and tangible.
The third and fourth quatrains present a counter-argument. The speaker's beloved responds by telling him that all things must come to an end, and that their love is no exception. She tells him that even the most beautiful things in life are fleeting and that they must accept this fact. This response is significant because it suggests that the beloved is more accepting of the impermanence of life than the speaker. She is able to find beauty in the transitory nature of things, while the speaker is more focused on the idea of permanence.
In the final couplet, the speaker resolves the conflict by accepting his beloved's point of view. He tells her that he will cherish their love, even though it is temporary. He acknowledges that all things must come to an end, but he also recognizes the value of the time they have together. This conclusion is significant because it suggests that the speaker has grown and matured throughout the poem. He has moved from a place of dissatisfaction and restlessness to one of acceptance and gratitude.
Themes and Motifs
The Last Word explores several themes, including love, loss, and mortality. Love is the central theme of the poem, and it is presented as both beautiful and fleeting. The speaker and his beloved share a deep love, but they are also aware that their love is temporary. The phrase "half sick of shadows" suggests that the speaker is unsatisfied with the superficial nature of their relationship, and he longs for something more substantial.
Loss is another significant theme in the poem. The speaker and his beloved are aware that their love is temporary, and they must eventually part ways. This idea of impermanence is also present in the beloved's response to the speaker's initial plea for her thoughts and feelings. She tells him that even the most beautiful things in life are fleeting and that they must accept this fact.
Mortality is also present in the poem. The speaker and his beloved are aware that they will eventually die, and their love will end. This idea of mortality is emphasized by the phrase "half sick of shadows," which suggests that the speaker is trapped between life and death, unable to fully embrace either.
Conclusion
The Last Word is a beautiful and insightful poem that explores complex themes in a concise and structured manner. Through the use of the sonnet form, Arnold is able to present a compelling argument and counter-argument, ultimately arriving at a satisfying conclusion. The poem's themes of love, loss, and mortality are universal and timeless, and they continue to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium for expressing emotions, thoughts, and ideas. It is a form of art that has the power to move people, inspire them, and make them see the world in a different light. One such poem that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire readers even today is "The Last Word" by Matthew Arnold.
Matthew Arnold was a renowned English poet and cultural critic who lived in the 19th century. He was known for his insightful and thought-provoking poetry that often dealt with themes of love, loss, and the human condition. "The Last Word" is one such poem that captures the essence of Arnold's poetic style and his deep understanding of human emotions.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, telling her that he has something important to say to her. He then goes on to describe the beauty of nature around them, with the sun setting in the distance and the birds singing in the trees. The speaker then tells his beloved that he has found the "last word" that will bring them both peace and happiness.
The phrase "last word" is significant in the poem as it suggests that the speaker has found a solution to all their problems, a way to end all their troubles and find eternal happiness. The speaker then goes on to describe this "last word" as a feeling of love and contentment that will never fade away. He tells his beloved that this feeling will stay with them forever, even after they have passed away.
The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of death. He tells his beloved that even though they will eventually die, their love will live on forever. He describes death as a "dark abyss" that they will both have to face, but he assures his beloved that they will face it together.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker tells his beloved that their love will be like a beacon of light that will guide them through the darkness of death. He tells her that even though they will be separated by death, their love will remain strong and unbreakable. He ends the poem by saying that their love will be the "last word" that they will ever speak, a testament to their eternal bond.
"The Last Word" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the essence of love and the human condition. It is a testament to the power of poetry to move and inspire people, even after centuries have passed. The poem's themes of love, loss, and the inevitability of death are universal and timeless, making it a classic piece of literature that will continue to be read and appreciated for generations to come.
In conclusion, "The Last Word" by Matthew Arnold is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of love and the human condition. It is a testament to the power of poetry to move and inspire people, even after centuries have passed. The poem's themes of love, loss, and the inevitability of death are universal and timeless, making it a classic piece of literature that will continue to be read and appreciated for generations to come.
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