Keeping Quiet Poem Summary in English. In this poem, the poet has emphasised the need to introspect and bring in the spirit of brotherhood among the people of the world. He wants people to stop talking and stop all movements symbolising agitation and restlessness till he counts twelve, that is, a short period of time. Epithalamion is an ode written by Edmund Spenser as a gift to his bride, Elizabeth Boyle, on their wedding day. The poem moves through the couples' wedding day, from the groom's impatient hours before dawn to the late hours of night after the husband and wife have consummated their marriage.
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'Prothalamion' by Edmund Spenser is a long verse 'written as a wedding song for the daughters of a duke.' Rather than write with a divergence of thought, Spenser uses a continuous thought. 'Prothalamion ' is one of the latest works of a very allusive mind, one must at least consider the idea that the poem is about much more than a double betrothal ceremony. A conventional account of the poem by B. Davis and a brief but provocative study by Dan S. Norton may suggest a way of satisfying Mr. Daiches' misgivings about the end. By Edmund Spenser. CALM was the day, and through the trembling air. Sweet breathing Zephyrus did softly play, A gentle spirit, that lightly did delay. Hot Titan's beams, which then did glister fair; When I whose sullen care, Through discontent of my long fruitless stay. In prince's court, and expectation vain.
Fire and Ice Summary Line By Line Analysis and Explanation in English
About the Poet
Robert Frost (1874-1963) was an American poet. His work was initially published in England before it was published in the United States. Known for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American. He became one of the United States rare “public literary figures, almost an artistic institution.”
| Poet Name | Robert Frost |
| Born | 26 March 1874, San Francisco, California, United States |
| Died | 29 January 1963, Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Poems | The Road Not Taken, The Gift Outright, Nothing Gold Can Stay |
| Awards | Robert Frost Medal, Pulitzer Prize for Poetry |
Summary of Fire and Ice By Robert Frost
The poem ‘Fire and Ice’ is composed by Robert Frost. The poet talks about the two different beliefs regarding the end of this world. He says that he is in the favor of those who say this world will end in fire as he has seen the effect and result of uncontrolled and unbending desires.
He finds the human desires the same as a fire in its nature. On the other hand, the second belief tells that ice is sufficient for destroying this world and the poet compares the nature of ice with hatred.
As ice can make a part of body numb with its prolonged contact like hatred can also give numbness to our mind and thoughts and make us insensitive and cruel.
The poem has been written symbolically. The poet says that there are mainly two opinions about the end of this world. One by fire and another by ice. The symbols ‘Fire’ and ‘Ice’ have been used for human emotions like desire and hatred respectively.
As fire can spread very fast and cause great destruction in no time likewise our desires may also prove very destructive if they go out of control. Hatred causes slow destruction like ice but it is also very harmful.
Charles Lamb characterises Edmund Spenser as the “poet’s poet”. Other Elizabethan writers acclaim him as the the prince of poets. This is so, because of Spenser’s coinages and unique poetic faculty that serves as an inspiration for the many poets of the future. Many later poets were inspired by and emulated his poetic conventions. An analysis of Edmund Spenser’s Prothalamion will reveal his passion for nature along with logical statements and therefore critics find his work enthralling and novel.
The Setting of Prothalamion
Edmund Spenser’s Prothalamion is set along the banks of the River Thames. He portrays Thames in all its magnificence and glory. The refrain ” Sweet Thames, Run Softly Till I End My Song” provides the apt imagery and thereby extols the beauty of the setting. There is musicality in nature as we find the setting beside the River Thames Beautifully pictured including the trees, flowers, birds and the green haired Nymphs- the mythological daughter of the river.
Classical Imagery in the poem
Spenser provides mesmerizing visual images and allusions in Prothalamion. He brings in imagery from the Greco- Roman period. The Green haired nymphs, the daughter of the Thames is the liveliest of his images. They collect flowers to adorn the bride and the groom. The swans symbolise the two brides- Elizabeth and Katherine. They are described as lovelier and fairer than the Greek Gods Zeus and Leda. At one point, the nymphs mistake them for the immortal swans who drive the chariot of Queen Venus.
Prothalamion Poem Line By Line Explanation Analysis
Prothalamion as a Betrothal Song:
Prothalamion Poem Line By Line Explanation
The words Epithalamion and Prothalamion were coined by Spenser. While Epithalamion refers to a nuptial song, Prothalamion means an engagement song. It was written to celebrate the twin marriages of Elizabeth and Katherine Somerset, the daughters of the Earl of Worcester. The poem was published in 1596, a few months before the wedding.
The poem written in 180 lines has all the elements of a betrothal song. The prospective brides are portrayed as beautiful swans who float and wade gently through the green waters of River Thames. The nature stops by to admire the beauty of the birds. The uncertainties, longing and excitement of a bride echoes through the work. Classical allusions and imagery intensifies the melody of the poem. Critics have analysed Spenser’s poem and identified it as one of the best poems of the writer.