'Last Look' by Robert Service

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

Songs of a Sun-LoverWhat would I choose to see when I
To this bright earth shall bid good-bye?
When fades forever from my sight
The world I've loved with long delight?
What would I pray to look on last,
When Death shall draw the Curtain fast?I've loved the farewell of the Sun,
Low-lapsing after work well done;
Or leaping from a sea forlorn,
Gold-glad to greet a day new born. . . .
Shall I elect to round my dream
The Sun I hail as Lord Supreme?Ah no! Of Heaven's shining host,
It is the Moon I love the most;
And if, when I shall cease to be,
God lets me keep one memory
Of loveliness that held me thrall,
The Moon's the one I would recall.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Last Look: A Poetic Masterpiece

Robert Service’s Last Look is a masterpiece of poetry. It tells the story of a man who is about to die and reflects on his life. The poem’s themes of mortality, regret, and the search for meaning are universal and resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem’s structure, language, and symbolism to understand its deeper meanings and implications.

Structure and Form

Last Look is a lyric poem composed of four quatrains, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH. The poem’s structure has a sense of finality, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a sense of closure. The first three stanzas are reflective, with the narrator looking back on his life, while the final stanza is more introspective, with the narrator contemplating his imminent death.

The poem’s form is simple yet powerful, with each stanza consisting of four lines that are easy to memorize and recite. The repetition of the rhyme scheme and the use of alliteration and assonance create a musical quality that adds to the poem’s emotional impact.

Language and Imagery

Service’s use of language and imagery in Last Look is both vivid and evocative. The poem is filled with sensory details that bring the narrator’s memories to life, such as the “smell of hay” and the “whinnying of a steed.” These details help to create a sense of time and place, while also adding emotional depth to the poem.

The poem’s language is also rich in metaphor and symbolism. For example, the narrator compares himself to a “puppet” and a “straw,” suggesting that he feels powerless and insignificant in the face of death. The image of the “windmill” turning in the final stanza is a powerful symbol of the cycle of life and death, suggesting that even as the narrator dies, the world will continue to turn.

Themes and Messages

At its core, Last Look is a poem about the human experience of mortality. The narrator reflects on his life and regrets the things he did not do, the people he did not love, and the time he wasted. This is a universal theme that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds, as we all grapple with the inevitability of our own mortality.

The poem also explores the search for meaning and purpose in life. The narrator wonders if his life had any significance and whether he will be remembered after he is gone. This is a question that many of us ask ourselves, and the poem’s poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of life encourages readers to make the most of the time they have.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the importance of human connection. The narrator regrets the “coldness of his heart” and the people he did not love, suggesting that he recognizes the value of relationships and the impact they can have on our lives.

Interpretation and Significance

Last Look is a poem that speaks to the human condition in a powerful and profound way. Its themes of mortality, regret, and the search for meaning are universal, and its language and imagery are both vivid and evocative. The poem’s structure and form create a sense of closure and finality that adds to its emotional impact.

One interpretation of the poem is that it serves as a reminder to cherish the time we have and to make the most of our lives. The narrator’s regret at the end of his life serves as a warning to readers to not let their own lives pass them by.

Another interpretation is that the poem encourages readers to prioritize human connection and to not let the fear of vulnerability or rejection hold them back from loving and being loved.

Overall, Last Look is a poetic masterpiece that speaks to the human experience in a powerful and poignant way. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and the importance of reflecting on the meaning of life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It has the power to evoke emotions, stir up memories, and transport us to different worlds. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "Last Look" by Robert Service. This classic piece of literature is a beautiful portrayal of the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. In this article, we will delve deeper into the meaning and significance of this poem.

"Last Look" is a poem that captures the essence of life's transience. The poem is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The poem begins with the speaker looking out of his window and observing the world around him. He sees the trees swaying in the wind, the birds flying in the sky, and the sun setting in the horizon. The speaker is struck by the beauty of the world and realizes that this beauty is fleeting. He knows that everything he sees will eventually fade away, and he will be left with nothing but memories.

The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker reflects on his own mortality. He realizes that he too will eventually fade away, just like the world around him. He knows that death is inevitable and that he cannot escape it. The speaker is filled with a sense of sadness and regret as he thinks about all the things he has not done in his life. He wishes he had lived his life differently and made more of an impact on the world.

The poem ends with the speaker taking one last look at the world before he dies. He knows that this will be his last look, and he wants to savor every moment. He looks at the world with a sense of wonder and amazement, knowing that he will never see it again. The poem ends on a poignant note, with the speaker realizing that life is fleeting, but the memories we create will last forever.

The poem is a beautiful portrayal of the human condition. It captures the essence of what it means to be alive and the inevitability of death. The poem is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of every moment. It is a call to action, urging us to live our lives to the fullest and make a positive impact on the world.

Robert Service's use of language in the poem is masterful. He uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the world around us. The trees swaying in the wind, the birds flying in the sky, and the sun setting in the horizon are all described in beautiful detail. The language is simple yet powerful, and it evokes a sense of wonder and awe in the reader.

The poem's structure is also noteworthy. It is a free-verse poem, which means that it does not follow a strict rhyme scheme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and freedom, which is fitting for a poem about the fleeting nature of life. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which represents a different stage in the speaker's reflection on life and death.

In conclusion, "Last Look" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of life's transience. It is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of every moment. The poem is a call to action, urging us to live our lives to the fullest and make a positive impact on the world. Robert Service's use of language and structure in the poem is masterful, and it evokes a sense of wonder and awe in the reader. "Last Look" is a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

Editor Recommended Sites

Anime Roleplay - Online Anime Role playing & rp Anime discussion board: Roleplay as your favorite anime character in your favorite series. RP with friends & Role-Play as Anime Heros
Ocaml Solutions: DFW Ocaml consulting, dallas fort worth
Learn Python: Learn the python programming language, course by an Ex-Google engineer
Learn Go: Learn programming in Go programming language by Google. A complete course. Tutorials on packages
Database Ops - Liquibase best practice for cloud & Flyway best practice for cloud: Best practice using Liquibase and Flyway for database operations. Query cloud resources with chatGPT

Recommended Similar Analysis

Lui Et Elle by D.H. Lawrence analysis
Rainy Day, The by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow analysis
Working Girls by Carl Sandburg analysis
Behind Me-dips Eternity by Emily Dickinson analysis
What mystery pervades a well! by Emily Dickinson analysis
Gareth And Lynette by Alfred, Lord Tennyson analysis
A Changed Man by Thomas Hardy analysis
I 'm nobody! Who are you? by Emily Dickinson analysis
The Way Through the Woods by Rudyard Kipling analysis
If I can stop one Heart from breaking by Emily Dickinson analysis