'Portrait' by Robert Service
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Lyrics of a Low BrowPainter, would you make my picture?
Just forget the moral stricture.Let me sit
With my belly to the table,
Swilling all the wine I'm able,Pip a-lit;
Not a stiff and stuffy croaker
In a frock coat and a chokerLet me be;
But a rollicking old fellow
With a visage ripe and mellowAs you see.Just a twinkle-eyed old codger,
And of death as artful dodger,Such I am;
I defy the Doc's advising
And I don't for sermonisingCare a damn.
Though Bill Shakespeare had in his dome
Both - I'd rather wit than wisdomFor my choice;
In the
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Poetic Portrait of the Human Condition
Robert Service’s “Portrait” is a profoundly insightful and introspective poem, which offers a strikingly vivid depiction of the human experience. Written in the early 20th century, the poem reflects the anxieties and uncertainties of a rapidly changing world, while also grappling with timeless themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various elements of the poem, from its imagery and language to its structure and themes, in order to uncover its deeper meanings and significance.
The Language and Imagery of Portrait
The first thing that strikes the reader about “Portrait” is its rich and evocative language, which is full of vivid images and powerful metaphors. The poem opens with the line “We have not forever our dreams to explore,” which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The idea of exploring dreams is both romantic and melancholic, suggesting a sense of longing and yearning for something beyond our grasp. This idea is further developed in the following lines, which compare life to a ship sailing on an unknown sea, with “treasures to find, and dangers to shun.”
The sea metaphor is a recurring one throughout the poem, and it is used to great effect in emphasizing the unpredictability and uncertainty of life. The line “We are all of us sailors lost in the night,” for example, suggests that we are all adrift in a vast and unknown universe, with no clear sense of direction or purpose. This sense of existential disorientation is further reinforced in the line “The stars of our fate we must learn to divine,” which suggests that we must find our own way through the darkness of life, relying on our own inner compasses to guide us.
Another striking feature of the poem is its use of imagery to convey complex emotions and ideas. One of the most powerful examples of this is in the line “Our faces are masks that we wear to deceive,” which suggests that we all present a false front to the world, hiding our true selves behind a facade of social convention and expectations. This idea is further developed in the following lines, which describe the masks we wear as “portraits that mock what we really believe.”
The use of the word “portrait” is significant here, as it suggests that our outward appearance is a carefully crafted image, designed to project a particular image of ourselves to the world. This image is not necessarily an accurate reflection of who we really are, but rather a distorted and incomplete representation of our true selves. This idea is further reinforced in the line “We paint ourselves white, but beneath we are black,” which suggests that our outward appearances are often at odds with our inner selves.
The Structure and Themes of Portrait
The structure of “Portrait” is somewhat unconventional, consisting of four stanzas of varying lengths and rhyme schemes. Despite this, the poem is characterized by a strong sense of unity and coherence, with each stanza building upon the themes and ideas of the previous one.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its emphasis on the transience and fragility of life. The second stanza develops this theme further, exploring the idea of the masks we wear and the false images we project to the world. The third stanza introduces the idea of love, which is presented as a possible antidote to the existential anxieties and uncertainties of life. Finally, the fourth stanza brings these various threads together, offering a kind of resolution or synthesis of the poem’s themes.
One of the most powerful themes of the poem is the idea of mortality, which is explored through the metaphor of the ship sailing on an unknown sea. The image of the ship is a potent symbol of human existence, suggesting both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. The line “We are all of us sailors lost in the night” captures the sense of existential disorientation that characterizes the human condition, while the line “Our destiny lies in the strength of our sails” suggests that we have the power to chart our own course through the uncertainties of life.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of authenticity, which is expressed through the imagery of the masks we wear. The mask is a potent symbol of the false images we project to the world, and the poem suggests that these masks are a hindrance to our true selves. The line “Our faces are masks that we wear to deceive” suggests that we are all complicit in this deception, but the poem also holds out the possibility of authenticity, as suggested in the line “For love is a heart, and it knows not deceit.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Robert Service’s “Portrait” is a deeply insightful and thought-provoking poem, which offers a powerful meditation on the human experience. Through its rich and evocative language, its powerful imagery, and its carefully crafted structure, the poem explores the themes of mortality, authenticity, and the search for meaning in a complex and rapidly changing world. While the poem is nearly a century old, it remains as relevant and resonant as ever, offering a poetic portrait of the human condition that is both timeless and timely.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Portrait: An Analysis of Robert Service's Masterpiece
Robert Service's Poetry Portrait is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the art of poetry and the power of words. It is a celebration of the poet's craft and the magic that can be created through the use of language. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and meaning.
The poem begins with the lines, "He sat in a chair of the olden time, / Close to a heavy oak." These opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem. The chair of the olden time represents tradition and history, while the heavy oak symbolizes strength and durability. The poet is setting the scene for a portrait of a poet who is steeped in tradition and has a strong foundation.
The next few lines describe the poet's appearance. He is described as having "a face of rugged mould, / And a smile that was half a joke." This description suggests that the poet is a man who has lived a full life and has a sense of humor. The rugged mold of his face suggests that he has weathered many storms and has come out stronger on the other side.
The poem then goes on to describe the poet's surroundings. He is sitting in a room that is filled with books and papers. The room is described as "a place of peace and rest, / A temple of the mind." This description suggests that the poet's mind is his sanctuary, and that he finds solace in his work.
The next few lines of the poem describe the poet's craft. He is described as a "weaver of words" who "spins his magic spell." This description suggests that the poet is a master of his craft and that he has the ability to create something out of nothing. The use of the word "magic" suggests that the poet's words have a power that goes beyond their literal meaning.
The poem then goes on to describe the poet's inspiration. He is described as being "touched by the hand of God" and as having "a vision of the truth." This description suggests that the poet's inspiration comes from a higher power and that he has a deep understanding of the world around him.
The next few lines of the poem describe the poet's audience. He is described as having "a host of eager listeners" who "hang upon his word." This description suggests that the poet's words have a power that goes beyond their literal meaning and that they have the ability to captivate and inspire others.
The poem then goes on to describe the poet's legacy. He is described as leaving "a trail of light behind" and as having "a name that will not die." This description suggests that the poet's work will live on long after he is gone and that he will be remembered for generations to come.
The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward. It consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "magic" in the second stanza, adds to the poem's musicality.
The meaning of the poem is multi-layered. On the surface, it is a celebration of the poet's craft and the power of words. It is a tribute to the art of poetry and the magic that can be created through the use of language. However, the poem also has a deeper meaning. It is a reminder that the poet's work has the power to inspire and to change the world. It is a call to all poets to use their words to create something meaningful and lasting.
In conclusion, Robert Service's Poetry Portrait is a masterpiece that celebrates the art of poetry and the power of words. It is a tribute to the poet's craft and the magic that can be created through the use of language. The poem's structure and musicality add to its beauty, while its multi-layered meaning makes it a timeless work of art.
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