'Hero Worship' by Robert Service
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Rhymes of a RoughneckSaid he: "You saw the Master clear;
By Rushy Pond alone he sat,
Serene and silent as a seer,
in tweedy coat and seedy hat.
you tell me you did not intrude,
(Although his book was in your hand,)
Upon his melancholy mood . . .I do not understand."You did not tell him: 'I have come
From o'er the sea to speak to you.'
You did not dare, your lips were dumb . . .
You thought a little zephyr blew
From Rushy Pond a touch of him
You'll cherish to your dying day,
Perhaps with tears your eyes were dim . . .And then - you went away."And down the years you will proclaim:
'O call me dullard, dub me dunce!
But let this be my meed of fame:
I looked on Thomas Hardy once.
Aye, by a stile I stood a span
And with these eyes did plainly see
A little, shrinking, shabby man . . .But Oh a god to me!'"Said I: "'Tis true, I scarce dared look,
yet he would have been kind, I'm sure;
But though I clutched his precious book
I feared to beg his signature.
Ah yes, my friend, I merit mirth.
You're bold, you have the right to laugh,
And if Christ came again to earthYou'd cadge his autograph."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Hero Worship: A Masterpiece by Robert Service
Are you a fan of classic poetry? Do you seek inspiration in the words of the great poets of the past? Then, you must have come across the name Robert Service and his famous poem "Poetry, Hero Worship." If not, you are in for a treat! In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the meaning, tone, and structure of this masterpiece and why it continues to captivate readers to this day.
Background and Context
Robert Service was a Scottish poet and writer born in 1874 in Preston, Lancashire, England. His family moved to Scotland when he was still a child, and he spent most of his life in the country. Service traveled extensively, working as a bank clerk, cowboy, and war correspondent before becoming a full-time writer. He is best known for his poems about the Yukon and the gold rush of the late 19th century, which were published in several collections, including "Songs of a Sourdough" (1907) and "Ballads of a Cheechako" (1909).
"Poetry, Hero Worship" was first published in "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man" in 1916, a collection of poems inspired by Service's experiences as a volunteer ambulance driver during World War I. The poem consists of four stanzas of eight lines each, written in a simple, yet powerful language that reflects Service's admiration for the heroes of the past and his belief in the transformative power of poetry.
Themes and Meaning
At its core, "Poetry, Hero Worship" is a celebration of the human spirit and its capacity for greatness. The poem begins with a rhetorical question: "Why, to be sure, do we love the past?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Service invites the reader to reflect on the importance of history and the role that heroes and poets play in shaping our understanding of the world.
Throughout the poem, Service highlights the enduring appeal of heroes and their ability to inspire us to be better people. He writes, "We love our heroes, for they show us what / We'd like to be, but can't; / We'd love to love mankind a lot, / If we could love ourselves a jot." Here, Service suggests that heroes are role models who embody the virtues that we aspire to but often fall short of achieving. He also acknowledges the difficulty of loving others when we struggle to love ourselves, suggesting that the act of hero worship is a way of channeling our desire for self-improvement.
Service also emphasizes the importance of poetry in shaping our understanding of history and the world around us. He writes, "We're children of the past, and poets show / How wonderful we are." Here, Service suggests that poetry has the power to elevate our understanding of the world and our place in it. By crafting beautiful and evocative words, poets can help us see the beauty and wonder of the world around us, inspiring us to strive for greatness.
Finally, "Poetry, Hero Worship" is a reminder of the fragility of human life and the impermanence of our accomplishments. Service writes, "The heroes die, the poets pass, / But earth abides, the poem stays." Here, he suggests that while heroes and poets may come and go, the poems they leave behind endure, serving as a testament to their greatness and the impact they had on the world.
Tone and Structure
The tone of "Poetry, Hero Worship" is one of reverence and awe, as Service celebrates the heroes of the past and the poets who have immortalized their deeds in verse. The simple, yet powerful language of the poem reflects Service's belief in the transformative power of poetry and his admiration for those who have used their words to change the world.
The structure of the poem is also significant, as it consists of four stanzas of eight lines each. The rhyme scheme is ABABCDDC, with the first and second lines rhyming with each other, the third and fourth lines rhyming with each other, and the seventh and eighth lines rhyming with each other. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance, reinforcing the poem's message of the enduring influence of heroes and poets on our understanding of the world.
Conclusion
"Poetry, Hero Worship" is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to captivate readers to this day. Through its celebration of heroes, poets, and the transformative power of poetry, Service invites us to reflect on the importance of history and the role that our predecessors play in shaping our understanding of the world. With its simple yet powerful language and its message of hope and inspiration, this poem is a testament to the enduring power of the written word and the impact that it can have on our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Hero Worship: A Celebration of the Power of Words
Robert Service's "Poetry Hero Worship" is a classic poem that celebrates the power of words and the impact they can have on our lives. The poem is a tribute to the great poets who have inspired generations with their words, and it encourages us to embrace the transformative power of poetry.
The poem begins with a powerful opening line: "It's a humdrum life at best, with its pleasures and its pains." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the power of poetry to lift us out of the mundane and into the extraordinary. Service acknowledges that life can be difficult and mundane, but he reminds us that poetry has the power to inspire us and give us hope.
The poem then goes on to describe the power of poetry to transport us to other worlds and to help us see the world in a new light. Service writes, "But the poet's voice is ringing through the world from east to west, / And his song is heard in every land, and his banner is unfurled." This line captures the universality of poetry and its ability to transcend borders and cultures.
Service also celebrates the power of poetry to inspire us to greatness. He writes, "For the poet's heart is a fountain of fire, with music in his brain, / And he sings of the glory of life, and he sings of the joy of pain." This line captures the passion and intensity that poets bring to their work, and it reminds us that poetry can inspire us to be our best selves.
The poem then turns to the idea of hero worship, which is the title of the poem. Service writes, "And we worship the heroes of old who have passed beyond our ken, / And we long to be like them, and to do the deeds they did then." This line captures the idea that we look up to the great poets of the past and aspire to be like them. We see them as heroes who have achieved greatness through their words, and we want to follow in their footsteps.
Service then goes on to describe the power of poetry to inspire us to action. He writes, "For the poet's voice is a trumpet that calls to the brave and the strong, / And it stirs the heart of the timid, and it wakes the soul of the throng." This line captures the idea that poetry can inspire us to take action and to be brave in the face of adversity. It can give us the courage to stand up for what we believe in and to fight for what is right.
The poem then concludes with a powerful message of hope and inspiration. Service writes, "So let us sing of the glory of life, and the joy of the open road, / And let us follow the poet's voice, wherever it may go." This line encourages us to embrace the power of poetry and to follow its lead wherever it may take us. It reminds us that poetry has the power to inspire us and to lift us up, and it encourages us to embrace that power and to use it to make a difference in the world.
In conclusion, Robert Service's "Poetry Hero Worship" is a powerful tribute to the transformative power of poetry. It celebrates the ability of words to inspire us, to transport us to other worlds, and to help us see the world in a new light. It encourages us to look up to the great poets of the past as heroes and to aspire to be like them. And it reminds us that poetry has the power to inspire us to action and to make a difference in the world. So let us embrace the power of poetry and follow its lead wherever it may take us.
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