John Keats' poem Hyperion
The given text is a line from
John Keats' poem "Hyperion." In the context of the poem, the speaker
urges the subject, who is most likely a Titan, to fly away from their current
situation of mental strife and unrest.
The speaker describes their
mental strife as an infection that is contagious and feverish. They urge the
subject to fly away from this mental strife and not be affected by it. The
speaker acknowledges that this mental strife does not bring any happiness or
pleasure but only spoils one's rest. They are convinced that by flying away
from this strife, the subject can be free from this unproductive and negative
state of mind.
The phrase "win thee from
thy own fair unblest" suggests that the subject is in a state of
unfulfillment or lack of satisfaction despite having many blessings. The
speaker believes that the subject can be rescued from this state of mind by
flying away from their current situation.
In general, the poem
"Hyperion" is about the fall of the Titans, a race of powerful and
immortal beings who ruled the universe before the Olympian gods. The poem
explores themes of power, fate, and the struggle between the old order and the
new.
In conclusion, the given text is
a plea from the speaker to the subject to escape from their mental strife and
find peace and rest by flying away from their current situation. The phrase
"win thee from thy own fair unblest" suggests that the subject is not
fully satisfied despite having many blessings. This line is a small part of a
larger poem that explores complex themes of power and fate.
English poet, Alfred Lord Tennyson
The given passage is an excerpt from a poem called "The Voice" by the English poet, Alfred Lord Tennyson. The speaker is having a conversation with a "still small voice," which is often interpreted as the voice of God or the speaker's conscience. The voice speaks to the speaker, suggesting that it might be better not to exist because of the misery that he carries within himself. However, the speaker responds to the voice, asking not to overshadow the wonderful creation that he is.
The first line of the passage,
"A still small voice spake unto me," is a biblical reference to 1
Kings 19:12, where the prophet Elijah hears the voice of God in a still small
voice. The use of this phrase suggests that the voice speaking to the speaker
is divine or spiritual in nature. The voice tells the speaker that he is full
of misery, which could refer to the speaker's internal struggles, such as
depression, anxiety, or guilt.
The next line, "Were it not
better not to be," is a statement that questions the value of existence.
The voice is suggesting that it might be better for the speaker not to exist if
his life is full of misery. This line echoes the sentiments of other literary
works, such as Shakespeare's "Hamlet," who famously contemplated
suicide with the words, "To be or not to be."
The speaker's response to the
voice is significant because it shows that he does not want to give up on life
despite his suffering. He tells the voice, "Let me not cast in endless
shade," which means he does not want to bring darkness and despair to
everything around him. He recognizes that he is part of something
"wonderfully made," and does not want to spoil it with his negative
thoughts and feelings.
The phrase "what is so
wonderfully made" could refer to the speaker's own body and soul, as well
as the world around him. It could also suggest that the speaker believes in the
inherent value of life and the importance of appreciating the beauty and
goodness that exist despite the struggles and hardships.
In conclusion, this passage from
Tennyson's "The Voice" portrays a conversation between the speaker
and a divine or spiritual voice. The voice suggests that the speaker's misery
might make it better not to exist, but the speaker responds by saying that he
does not want to cast darkness on the wonderful creation that he is a part of.
The passage explores themes of suffering, the value of existence, and the
importance of appreciating the beauty and goodness that exist in life
Post a Comment