'Apollo Belvedere' 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 RoughneckA-sitttin' on a cracker box an' spittin' in the stove,
I took a sudden notion that I'd kindo' like to rove;
An' so I bought a ticket, jest as easy as could be,
From Pumpkinville in Idaho to Rome in Italy;
An' found myself in seven days of mostly atmosphere
A-starin' at a statoo called Appoller Belvydeer.Now I'm a rum-soaked sinner, an' religion ain't my plan,
Yet, I was flabbergasted by that gol-darned Vattyican;
An' when I seed Saint Peter's dome, all I could do was swear,
The which I reckon after all may be a form o' prayer;
Abut as I sought amid them sights bewildered to steer,
The king-pin was the one they called Appoller Belvydeer.Say, I ain't got no culture an' I don't know any art,
But that there statoo got me, standin' in its room apart,
In an alcove draped wi' velvet, lookin' everlastin' bright,
Like the vision o' a poet, full o' beauty, grace an' light;
An' though I know them kind o' words sound sissy in the ear,
It's jest how I was struck by that Appoller Belvydeer.I've gazed at them depictions in the glossy magazines,
Uv modern Art an' darned if I can make out what it means:
Will any jerk to-day outstand a thousand years of test?
Why, them old Pagans make us look like pikers at the best.
An' maybe, too, their minds was jest as luminous and clear
As that immortal statoo o' Appoller Belvydeer.An' all yer march o' progress an' machinery as' such,
I wonder if, when all is said, they add up to so much?
An' were not these old fellers in their sweet an' simple way
Serener souled an' happier than we poor mugs to-day?
They have us licked, I thought, an' stood wi' mingled gloom an' cheer
Before that starry statoo o' Appoller Belvydeer.So I'll go back to Pumpkinville an' to my humble home,
An' dream o' all the sights I saw in everlastin' Rome;
But I will never speak a word o' that enchanted land
That taks you bang into the Past - folks wouldn't understand;
An' midmost in my memories I'll cherish close an' dear
That bit o' frozen music, that Appoller Belvydeer.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Apollo Belvedere: A Critical Interpretation
Robert Service's "Apollo Belvedere" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of Apollo, the god of light, music, and poetry. This classic poem is a testament to the power of beauty, mythology and inspiration. In this essay, we will critically analyze and interpret the poem to understand its themes, literary devices, and the use of mythology in the poem.
Overview of the Poem
The poem opens with a striking image of Apollo as a "god of light and air". The use of natural imagery such as light and air creates a sense of purity and transcendence. The poem then goes on to describe Apollo's physical beauty, using vivid descriptions that capture the reader's imagination. The poet describes Apollo's "clear-cut profile", "chiseled chin", and "brows like the bows of a lyre", painting a vivid picture of the god's physical perfection.
The poem then shifts focus to Apollo's love for music and poetry. The poet describes Apollo playing his lyre and singing, creating a sense of music that is both ethereal and divine. The poem also describes Apollo's ability to inspire poets and artists, making them see the world in a new and beautiful light.
Finally, the poem concludes with a reflection on the power of beauty and art to transcend the mundane and the ordinary. The poet suggests that the beauty of Apollo, his music and poetry, can take us beyond the limitations of our mortal existence and connect us with the divine.
Themes and Motifs
One of the main themes of the poem is the power of beauty and art to inspire and uplift us. The poem suggests that Apollo's beauty and music have the power to take us beyond the limitations of our mortal existence and connect us with the divine. This theme is echoed in the Greek myth of Apollo, where he is often associated with the sun, light, and beauty.
Another important theme of the poem is the role of mythology in shaping our understanding of the world. The poet uses the figure of Apollo, a central figure in Greek mythology, as a way to explore the power of myth and its ability to inspire and uplift us. The use of mythology in the poem also serves to connect us with the ancient past, reminding us of our own roots and the enduring power of human creativity.
The motif of light and air is also an important theme in the poem. The use of these natural elements creates a sense of purity and transcendence, suggesting that Apollo's beauty and music are ethereal and divine. This motif is echoed in the Greek myth of Apollo, where he is often associated with the sun and light.
Literary Devices
The poet uses a variety of literary devices to create a powerful and evocative poem. One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is imagery. The poet uses vivid and evocative descriptions to paint a picture of Apollo's physical beauty and the power of his music and poetry. The use of natural imagery such as light, air, and sun creates a sense of transcendence and purity, connecting us with the divine.
Another important literary device used in the poem is metaphor. The poet uses metaphors to compare Apollo to a "god of light and air", a "lyre", and a "sun-god". These metaphors serve to elevate Apollo to a divine status, highlighting the power of his beauty and music to inspire and uplift us.
Use of Mythology
One of the most striking features of the poem is the use of mythology. The poet uses the figure of Apollo, a central figure in Greek mythology, as a way to explore the power of myth and its ability to inspire and uplift us. The use of mythology in the poem also serves to connect us with the ancient past, reminding us of our own roots and the enduring power of human creativity.
The use of mythology in the poem also serves to convey a sense of timelessness and universality. The figure of Apollo has been revered and celebrated for thousands of years, and the poem suggests that his beauty and music will continue to inspire and uplift us for generations to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Apollo Belvedere" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of Apollo, the god of light, music, and poetry. The poem explores the power of beauty and art to inspire and uplift us, and the role of mythology in shaping our understanding of the world. The use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and mythology creates a sense of timelessness and universality, connecting us with the ancient past and reminding us of the enduring power of human creativity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Apollo Belvedere: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Robert Service's Apollo Belvedere is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of the Greek god Apollo. The poem is a tribute to the Apollo Belvedere, a marble statue of the god that was discovered in Rome in the late 15th century. Service's poem is a celebration of the beauty, power, and grace of the statue, and it is a testament to the enduring legacy of the ancient Greeks.
The poem begins with a description of the statue, which is depicted as a "god of light and song." The statue is described as being "naked and unashamed," with a "face serene and strong." The statue's "limbs are wrought with power," and its "brow is crowned with laurel." The statue is depicted as a symbol of the beauty and power of the ancient Greeks, and it is a testament to their artistic and cultural achievements.
Service's poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful language that captures the essence of the statue. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Service to use a variety of poetic techniques to create a rich and evocative portrait of the statue. The poem is filled with metaphors and similes that compare the statue to various natural and mythological elements. For example, the statue is compared to a "sun-god" and a "god of the sea." The statue is also compared to a "winged victory" and a "god of the hunt." These comparisons help to create a sense of the statue's power and majesty, and they help to convey the idea that the statue is a symbol of the ancient Greeks' cultural and artistic achievements.
Service's poem is also filled with allusions to Greek mythology and history. The poem references the myth of Apollo and Daphne, in which Apollo falls in love with the nymph Daphne, who is transformed into a laurel tree to escape his advances. The poem also references the Battle of Marathon, in which the Greeks defeated the Persians in 490 BCE. These allusions help to place the statue in its historical and cultural context, and they help to convey the idea that the statue is a symbol of the ancient Greeks' heroic and cultural achievements.
One of the most striking aspects of Service's poem is its use of repetition. The poem repeats the phrase "Apollo Belvedere" throughout, which helps to create a sense of the statue's importance and significance. The repetition also helps to create a sense of rhythm and musicality, which is appropriate given the statue's association with music and song.
Overall, Apollo Belvedere is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of the Greek god Apollo. The poem is a celebration of the beauty, power, and grace of the statue, and it is a testament to the enduring legacy of the ancient Greeks. Service's use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and allusions to Greek mythology and history help to create a rich and evocative portrait of the statue, and his use of repetition helps to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. Apollo Belvedere is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and captivate audiences today, just as the statue it celebrates has done for centuries.
Editor Recommended Sites
ML Management: Machine learning operations tutorialsLearn Machine Learning: Machine learning and large language model training courses and getting started training guides
Personal Knowledge Management: Learn to manage your notes, calendar, data with obsidian, roam and freeplane
Cloud Templates - AWS / GCP terraform and CDK templates, stacks: Learn about Cloud Templates for best practice deployment using terraform cloud and cdk providers
NFT Shop: Crypto NFT shops from around the web
Recommended Similar Analysis
This is my letter to the world, by Emily Dickinson analysisMy life closed twice before its close by Emily Dickinson analysis
I heard a fly buzz when I died; by Emily Dickinson analysis
Hide-And-Seek by Vasko Popa analysis
Limbo by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
To Daffodils by Robert Herrick analysis
Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost analysis
Dream Girl by Carl Sandburg analysis
A Far Cry From Africa by Derek Walcott analysis
Bored by Margaret Atwood analysis