Batter my heart, three-personed God by John Donne
The speaker of this reverent poem is reflecting upon his devotion to God and the challenge of overcoming the devil. The speaker clearly gives himself to God endlessly, but struggles because he is "betrothed unto your enemy," (Donne, 840). The speaker talks about how God will break, blow, and burn him in order to make him new. He may coat himself in sin, but God will give him a clean slate every time. The speaker asked God to "divorce me, untie or break the knot again,"(Donne, 840). Through this metaphor, the speaker is asking God to break his terrible tie to the devil, in order to give himself fully to God. The speaker uses the word "imprison" to describe his desired relationship with God. Although this does not sound like the pleasant relationship we commonly associate with God, the speaker uses this to emphasize his never ending desire to be with God. He never wishes to be free from God; therefore, he wants to be imprisoned by Him. He wishes to be ravished and enthralled by God till the end of time.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Blog #3
Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold
This melancholy poem reflects upon the speakers negative attitude toward the world. The speak can look at the world and recognize all the beauty it holds, but regardless, he feels misery and sadness. The speaker compares himself to Sophocles, who also felt the eternal note of sadness. The author mentions three bodies of water: The English Channel, The Aegean Sea, and the Sea of Faith. Both the English Channel and the Aegean Sea are actual bodies of water, but The Sea of Faith is symbolic. The author states, "The Sea of Faith was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore,"(Arnold, 892). This shows that even The Sea of Faith has run dry for the speaker. The speaker now only hears the melancholy roar of the draining sea. The only form of reassurance the speaker gives is love. Only through relying on his significant other does the speak find consolation is unhappy and sad place he finds the world to be.
This melancholy poem reflects upon the speakers negative attitude toward the world. The speak can look at the world and recognize all the beauty it holds, but regardless, he feels misery and sadness. The speaker compares himself to Sophocles, who also felt the eternal note of sadness. The author mentions three bodies of water: The English Channel, The Aegean Sea, and the Sea of Faith. Both the English Channel and the Aegean Sea are actual bodies of water, but The Sea of Faith is symbolic. The author states, "The Sea of Faith was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore,"(Arnold, 892). This shows that even The Sea of Faith has run dry for the speaker. The speaker now only hears the melancholy roar of the draining sea. The only form of reassurance the speaker gives is love. Only through relying on his significant other does the speak find consolation is unhappy and sad place he finds the world to be.
Blog #2
Sorting Laundry by Elisavietta Ritchie
This extended metaphor compares folding laundry to folding the speaker's lover into her life. I like this poem because it's not about the perfect couple. This couple has been around the block a few times, their relationship has had a few wrinkles and broken chains, but they are ultimately happy and content with how their relationship has grown. Their pillows still hold their dreams, although they have been washed numerous times, and their old, corcky towels are still used even though they are old and cheap. No, this is not a new and exciting relationship, but a relationship filled with loyalty and stability. The speak states, " If you were to leave me, If i were to fold only my own clothes..."(Ritchie, 842). This reveals the speakers love and devotion to her significant other. She makes the point that her life would be endlessly lonely and cluttered without him. She uses a hyperbole to describe this despair, " a mountain of unsorted wash could fill the empty side of the bed,"( Ritchie, 842). Her lover is irreplaceable to her and no other could take his place on the opposite side of the bed.
This extended metaphor compares folding laundry to folding the speaker's lover into her life. I like this poem because it's not about the perfect couple. This couple has been around the block a few times, their relationship has had a few wrinkles and broken chains, but they are ultimately happy and content with how their relationship has grown. Their pillows still hold their dreams, although they have been washed numerous times, and their old, corcky towels are still used even though they are old and cheap. No, this is not a new and exciting relationship, but a relationship filled with loyalty and stability. The speak states, " If you were to leave me, If i were to fold only my own clothes..."(Ritchie, 842). This reveals the speakers love and devotion to her significant other. She makes the point that her life would be endlessly lonely and cluttered without him. She uses a hyperbole to describe this despair, " a mountain of unsorted wash could fill the empty side of the bed,"( Ritchie, 842). Her lover is irreplaceable to her and no other could take his place on the opposite side of the bed.
Potpourri blog #1
The Convergence of Twain by Thomas Hardy
This descriptive poem depicts the destroyed beauty the Titanic endured when it sunk into the Atlantic Ocean. Through the use of imagery, Hardy creates the vivid picture of the jewel that once was the Titanic and how it has transformed into a dull and lifeless memory. Hardy states, "Lie lightless, all their sparkles bleared and black and blind,"( Hardy, 778). This use of imagery helps readers to visualize the decay of the Titanic's beauty and extravagance. The poem shifts in section VI, where readers are introduced to the role fate played in this horrific act. Hardy begins talking about the Titanic's "sinister mate," the iceberg. It is as if the author is blaming the society of the time for being so obsessed with pleasure and bliss. He states, "The Immanent Will that stirs and urges everything,"(Hardy, 778). I took this as Hardy criticizing society for constantly pushing everything and always trying to be the greatest. It appears as if Hardy believes the sinking of the Titanic was this societies punishment for their endless greed. Hardy describes the ship and the iceberg as "twin halves" that fate converged into one, revealing that this event had to occur.
This descriptive poem depicts the destroyed beauty the Titanic endured when it sunk into the Atlantic Ocean. Through the use of imagery, Hardy creates the vivid picture of the jewel that once was the Titanic and how it has transformed into a dull and lifeless memory. Hardy states, "Lie lightless, all their sparkles bleared and black and blind,"( Hardy, 778). This use of imagery helps readers to visualize the decay of the Titanic's beauty and extravagance. The poem shifts in section VI, where readers are introduced to the role fate played in this horrific act. Hardy begins talking about the Titanic's "sinister mate," the iceberg. It is as if the author is blaming the society of the time for being so obsessed with pleasure and bliss. He states, "The Immanent Will that stirs and urges everything,"(Hardy, 778). I took this as Hardy criticizing society for constantly pushing everything and always trying to be the greatest. It appears as if Hardy believes the sinking of the Titanic was this societies punishment for their endless greed. Hardy describes the ship and the iceberg as "twin halves" that fate converged into one, revealing that this event had to occur.
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