'Fear' by Robert Service

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Rhymes of a RoughneckI know how father's strap would feel,
If ever I were caught,
So mother's jam I did not steal,
Though theft was in my thought.
Then turned fourteen and full of pitch,
Of love I was afraid,
And did not dare to dally with
Our pretty parlour maid.And so it is and always was,
The path of rectitude
I've followed all my life because
The Parson said I should.
The dread of hell-fire held me straight
When I was wont to stray,
And though my guts I often hate,
I walk the narrow way.I might have been a bandit or
A Casanovish blade,
But always I have prospered for
I've always been afraid;
Ay, fear's behind the best of us
And schools us for success,
And that is why I'm virtuous,
And happy - more or less.So let me hail that mighty power
That goads me to be good,
And makes me cannily to cower
Amid foolhardihood;
Though I be criminal in gain,
My virtue a veneer,
I thank the God who keeps me sane,
And shields me from distress and pain,
And thrifts me on to golden gain,Almighty Fear.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Fear: A Critical Interpretation

Robert Service is a name that needs no introduction when it comes to poetry. His works are known for their simplicity, directness, and powerful messages. One of his most famous poems is Poetry, Fear, which is a masterful exploration of the power of poetry to inspire and challenge us.

The Poem

Poetry, Fear begins with a powerful opening line:

In all its myriad forms unseen

I see the poem lurking.

This line immediately sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that poetry is something that is hidden, waiting to be discovered. The idea of poetry lurking in the shadows is both intriguing and a little bit frightening, hinting at the power that poetry can wield.

The poem goes on to explain that poetry can be found in many places, from the mundane to the sublime. Service describes how poetry can be found in "the rustling of the leaves / The patter of the rain" as well as "the thunder of the guns / The laughter of the slain."

This juxtaposition of the beautiful and the terrible is a hallmark of Service's work. He has a knack for finding poetry in unexpected places and using it to make powerful statements about the human condition.

Courage and Fear

The poem takes on an even more powerful tone when Service begins to explore the relationship between poetry and fear. He writes:

And all my soul is one mad fear

For lo! the poem is near.

Here, Service is suggesting that poetry is something to be feared, something that can challenge and even change us. The idea that the poem is near creates a sense of urgency and unease, as if the reader is about to be confronted with something profound and possibly unsettling.

But Service doesn't stop there. He goes on to suggest that it is precisely this fear that makes poetry so powerful:

For who can tell what forms, what powers,

What visions, what surprises,

May come to me in these dark hours

When fear my soul baptizes?

Service is suggesting that it is only when we are afraid that we are truly open to the power of poetry. The fear that comes with confronting something new and challenging is what makes poetry so transformative.

The Transformative Power of Poetry

Finally, Service concludes the poem with a powerful statement about the transformative power of poetry:

And so I wait the word supreme,

And in my heart I pray

That I may hear the golden theme

That thrills the night away.

Here, Service is suggesting that when we confront our fears and embrace the power of poetry, we can be transformed. The "golden theme" that he speaks of is the key to this transformation. It is the moment when poetry breaks through our fear and inspires us to new heights.

Conclusion

Poetry, Fear is a powerful exploration of the power of poetry to challenge and transform us. Service's use of language is both simple and profound, creating a sense of urgency and unease that is hard to ignore. By exploring the relationship between courage and fear, Service shows us that it is only when we confront our fears that we can truly be transformed. Overall, Poetry, Fear is a masterful work of poetry that continues to inspire and challenge readers to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Fear: A Poem of the Human Condition

Robert Service's "Fear" is a classic poem that explores the human condition in a way that is both haunting and beautiful. The poem is a meditation on the nature of fear, and how it can shape our lives and our relationships with others. In this analysis, we will explore the themes of the poem, the use of language and imagery, and the overall impact of the poem on the reader.

The poem begins with a description of fear as a "ghostly presence" that haunts us throughout our lives. Service uses vivid imagery to describe the physical sensations of fear, such as "the tightening of the throat" and "the quickening of the pulse." These physical sensations are a universal experience, and they help to create a sense of empathy between the reader and the speaker of the poem.

As the poem progresses, Service explores the ways in which fear can shape our lives. He describes how fear can cause us to "shun the light" and "hide in the shadows." This imagery suggests that fear can lead us to withdraw from the world and become isolated from others. This is a common experience for many people who struggle with anxiety or other forms of fear.

Service also explores the ways in which fear can affect our relationships with others. He describes how fear can cause us to "shrink from the touch of a friend" and "distrust the smile of a stranger." This imagery suggests that fear can lead us to become suspicious of others and to withdraw from social interactions. This can be a particularly damaging experience for those who struggle with social anxiety or other forms of fear that are related to interpersonal relationships.

Despite the negative effects of fear that Service describes, he also suggests that fear can be a source of strength and resilience. He writes that "fear can be conquered by courage" and that "fear can be vanquished by faith." These lines suggest that fear is not an insurmountable obstacle, but rather a challenge that can be overcome with the right mindset and attitude.

Service also suggests that fear can be a source of inspiration for artists and writers. He writes that "fear has its own strange beauty" and that "fear can inspire the poet's pen." These lines suggest that fear can be a powerful source of creativity and that it can inspire us to create works of art that explore the human condition in a profound way.

The language and imagery used in "Fear" are particularly effective in creating a sense of atmosphere and emotion. Service uses vivid descriptions of physical sensations to create a sense of empathy between the reader and the speaker of the poem. He also uses powerful metaphors and similes to describe the ways in which fear can shape our lives and our relationships with others.

For example, Service writes that fear is like "a dark and shapeless thing" that "creeps and crawls upon the soul." This metaphor suggests that fear is a pervasive and insidious force that can infiltrate every aspect of our lives. Similarly, he writes that fear is like "a poison in the blood" that "paralyzes the heart." This simile suggests that fear can be a debilitating force that can prevent us from living our lives to the fullest.

The overall impact of "Fear" on the reader is one of empathy and understanding. The poem explores a universal experience that is familiar to many people, and it does so in a way that is both haunting and beautiful. The language and imagery used in the poem are particularly effective in creating a sense of atmosphere and emotion, and they help to create a strong connection between the reader and the speaker of the poem.

In conclusion, Robert Service's "Fear" is a classic poem that explores the human condition in a profound way. The poem is a meditation on the nature of fear, and it explores the ways in which fear can shape our lives and our relationships with others. The language and imagery used in the poem are particularly effective in creating a sense of atmosphere and emotion, and they help to create a strong connection between the reader and the speaker of the poem. Overall, "Fear" is a powerful work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.

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