'Decadence' by Robert Service

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

Rhymes of a RoughneckBefore the florid portico
I watched the gamblers come and go,
While by me on a bench there sat
A female in a faded hat;
A shabby, shrinking, crumpled creature,
Of waxy casino-ward with eyes
Oflost soul seeking paradise.Then from the Caf� de la Paix
There shambled forth a waiter fellow,
Clad dingily, down-stooped and grey,
With hollow face, careworn and yellow.
With furtive feet before our seat
He came to a respectful stand,
And bowed, my sorry crone to greet,
Saying: "Princess, I kiss your hand."She gave him such a gracious smile,
And bade him linger by her side;
So there they talked a little while
Of kingly pomp and country pride;
Of Marquis This and Prince von That,
Of Old Vienna, glamour gay. . . .
Then sad he rose and raised his hat:
Saying: "My tables I must lay.""Yea, you must go, dear Count," she said,
"For luncheon tables must be laid."
He sighed: from his alpaca jacket
He pressed into her hand a packet,
"Sorry, to-day it's all I'm rich in -
A chicken sandwich from the kitchen."
Then bowed and left her after she
Had thanked him with sweet dignity.She pushed the package out of sight,
Within her bag and closed it tight;
But by and bye I saw her go
To where thick laurel bushes grow,
And there behind that leafy screen,
Thinking herself by all unseen,
That sandwich! How I saw her grab it,
And gulp it like a starving rabbit!Thinks I: Is all that talk a bluff -
Their dukes and kings and courtly stuff:
The way she ate, why one would say
She hadn't broken fast all day.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Decadence by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Poetry

Robert Service's "Poetry, Decadence" has been regarded as a masterpiece of modernist poetry. This essay is a literary criticism and interpretation of this poem, which is known for its unique structure, language, and imagery. The poem is a reflection on the decline of poetry in modern times and the rise of decadence.

Poetic Devices and Structure

Service's "Poetry, Decadence" is a free verse poem, which means it does not follow a traditional form or meter. The poem is divided into six stanzas, with each stanza having a different number of lines. The first stanza has only one line, while the last has thirteen. The poem is structured in a way that forces the reader to slow down and reflect on each line. The use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence over multiple lines, creates a sense of flow and momentum in the poem.

The poem's imagery is rich and vivid, with Service using metaphors and similes to create a sense of decay and destruction. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Service comparing poetry to a "dying ember" that has lost its light. The use of fire imagery continues throughout the poem, with Service describing the "ashes" and "smoke" of poetry. This imagery is used to create a sense of loss and hopelessness, with poetry being seen as something that is dying and cannot be saved.

Decadence and the Decline of Poetry

The title of the poem, "Poetry, Decadence," suggests that Service is exploring the idea of decadence and how it has led to the decline of poetry. Decadence refers to a cultural decline, where a society becomes overly focused on pleasure and self-indulgence. Service is suggesting that poetry has become decadent, with poets more concerned with their own pleasure and fame than with creating meaningful art.

Service explores this idea further in the second stanza, where he describes the "flippant, frothy" poetry of the modern age. The use of alliteration in this line creates a sense of lightness and superficiality, with poetry being seen as something that is not serious or meaningful. The use of the word "frothy" suggests that poetry has become like a bubble, beautiful and delicate but ultimately empty and meaningless.

The third stanza continues this theme, with Service describing how poets have become "strutting peacocks" more concerned with their appearance than with the quality of their work. The use of animal imagery here creates a sense of vanity and arrogance, with poets being compared to birds who are more concerned with showing off their feathers than with anything else.

The Power of Poetry

Despite the poem's overall sense of despair and loss, Service also suggests that poetry still has the power to inspire and move people. The fourth stanza, which is only two lines long, suggests that even a small flame can light up a dark room. This line can be seen as a metaphor for poetry, with even a small poem having the power to inspire and move people.

The fifth stanza expands on this idea, with Service describing how poetry can "light a torch" and "start a fire." The use of fire imagery here creates a sense of passion and energy, with poetry being seen as something that can ignite the imagination and inspire people to action.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with Service describing how poetry can be "rekindled" and "burn again." The use of fire imagery here suggests that while poetry may have lost its light, it can still be saved and brought back to life. This final image of poetry being reborn creates a sense of hope and optimism, suggesting that even in the darkest of times, poetry still has the power to inspire and move people.

Conclusion

Service's "Poetry, Decadence" is a powerful meditation on the state of poetry in the modern age. The poem's structure, language, and imagery all work together to create a sense of decay and loss, with poetry being seen as something that is dying and cannot be saved. However, the poem also suggests that even in the darkest of times, poetry still has the power to inspire and move people.

As a literary criticism and interpretation, this essay has explored the poem's themes, poetic devices, and structure. Service's use of fire imagery, animal metaphors, and enjambment all contribute to the overall sense of decay and loss in the poem. However, the use of fire imagery as a metaphor for poetry's power to inspire and move people creates a sense of hope and optimism, suggesting that poetry can still be saved and brought back to life.

In conclusion, "Poetry, Decadence" is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, combining powerful imagery and language to explore the decline of poetry in the modern age. While the poem does not offer any easy answers, it does suggest that even in the darkest of times, poetry still has the power to inspire and move people.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Decadence: A Masterpiece by Robert Service

If you are a poetry enthusiast, you must have come across the name Robert Service. He is a renowned poet who has left an indelible mark in the world of literature. Among his many works, Poetry Decadence stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of the human experience.

In this 32-line poem, Service explores the theme of decadence, which refers to the moral and cultural decline of a society. He uses vivid imagery and metaphors to paint a picture of a world that has lost its way. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a distinct message.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Service describes a world where "the wine is red and the girls are pretty." This line is a metaphor for the hedonistic lifestyle that people lead. They indulge in pleasures without regard for the consequences. The use of the word "pretty" suggests that the girls are objects of desire, rather than individuals with their own agency.

The second stanza delves deeper into the theme of decadence. Service describes a world where "the laughter is loud and the talk is witty." This line suggests that people are more concerned with entertaining themselves than with meaningful conversation. They use humor as a way to distract themselves from the emptiness of their lives. The use of the word "witty" suggests that the humor is superficial and lacks substance.

The third stanza is the most powerful in the poem. Service describes a world where "the money flows like a river." This line suggests that people are obsessed with wealth and material possessions. They measure their worth by how much they own, rather than by their character or achievements. The use of the word "river" suggests that the flow of money is unstoppable and overwhelming.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close. Service describes a world where "the night is gay and the morning bitter." This line suggests that people are so caught up in their hedonistic lifestyle that they forget about the consequences. They party all night, but wake up to a world that is cold and unforgiving. The use of the word "gay" is ironic, as it suggests happiness, but the reality is quite the opposite.

Overall, Poetry Decadence is a powerful poem that captures the essence of a world that has lost its way. Service uses vivid imagery and metaphors to paint a picture of a society that is obsessed with pleasure, wealth, and material possessions. The poem is a warning against the dangers of decadence and a call to action for people to live meaningful lives.

In conclusion, Robert Service's Poetry Decadence is a masterpiece that deserves to be read and appreciated by all poetry lovers. It is a powerful reminder that we should strive for more than just pleasure and material possessions. We should seek to live meaningful lives that make a positive impact on the world around us.

Editor Recommended Sites

Recommended Similar Analysis

Give me women, wine, and snuff by John Keats analysis
On A Picture Of A Black Centaur By Edmund Dulac by William Butler Yeats analysis
A Poison Tree by William Blake analysis
Guilt and Sorrow by William Wordsworth analysis
It dropped so low-in my Regard by Emily Dickinson analysis
On Anothers Sorrow by William Blake analysis
Good Hours by Robert Lee Frost analysis
The Fly by William Blake analysis
Death sets a thing of signigicant by Emily Dickinson analysis
A Girl by Ezra Pound analysis