Shakespeare by Matthew Arnold - Explanation
The poem "Shakespeare" is written by Matthew Arnold, a Victorian-era poet and respected critic. We can say that it is written as a tribute to The Bard (Shakespeare) who is undoubtedly the most acclaimed English literary figure who has ever lived.
Stanza 1
The poet hails Shakespeare and agrees with other people that he holds immunity to be free from other's questioning or criticism. He and other people ask about extraordinary works which haven't lost its relevance and applicability and we just wonder how can a person knows about mankind this much. He's dead for centuries and "art still" in our mind but remains silent and we wonder about his vast knowledge which unravels more when we dive into depths of his works. Arnold compares him to "the loftiest hill" to which the stars offer its allegiance.
Stanza 2
The poet continues his superior description of him. He says that he walks firmly with "steadfast footsteps" in the sea without drowning and resides in "the heaven of heaven" but the efforts of those who try to understand and examine him remains futile as he is beyond their reach.
Stanza 3
Arnold says that Shakespeare who truly knows about the far situated stars and sunbeams and presents them beautifully in his creative ability. He didn't have much formal education and taught himself and learned about the society, people, their motives, and other things. He reached the top place in the literary world due to his own efforts. With time and his hard work, he honed his creative power and reached his full potential. Due to his sublime works, he has created a secure position for himself in literature. In his contemporary days, Shakespeare wasn't praised and worshiped this much which we do now, although he was successful yet his talents weren't known and understood fully. Arnold says that if he wasn't known in his Age, it's for the better as he would get his deserved credits in later times in a gifted manner.
Stanza 4
In the ending stanza, Arnold says that the human beings are subjected to all pains which they have to endure and overcome, all weaknesses which have a negative effect on them, all griefs which coercively bows them to unlikeable people and circumstances and myriad number of experiences. All these experiences can be discovered in "that victorious brow" i.e. Shakespeare works.
Stanza 1
The poet hails Shakespeare and agrees with other people that he holds immunity to be free from other's questioning or criticism. He and other people ask about extraordinary works which haven't lost its relevance and applicability and we just wonder how can a person knows about mankind this much. He's dead for centuries and "art still" in our mind but remains silent and we wonder about his vast knowledge which unravels more when we dive into depths of his works. Arnold compares him to "the loftiest hill" to which the stars offer its allegiance.
Stanza 2
The poet continues his superior description of him. He says that he walks firmly with "steadfast footsteps" in the sea without drowning and resides in "the heaven of heaven" but the efforts of those who try to understand and examine him remains futile as he is beyond their reach.
Stanza 3
Arnold says that Shakespeare who truly knows about the far situated stars and sunbeams and presents them beautifully in his creative ability. He didn't have much formal education and taught himself and learned about the society, people, their motives, and other things. He reached the top place in the literary world due to his own efforts. With time and his hard work, he honed his creative power and reached his full potential. Due to his sublime works, he has created a secure position for himself in literature. In his contemporary days, Shakespeare wasn't praised and worshiped this much which we do now, although he was successful yet his talents weren't known and understood fully. Arnold says that if he wasn't known in his Age, it's for the better as he would get his deserved credits in later times in a gifted manner.
Stanza 4
In the ending stanza, Arnold says that the human beings are subjected to all pains which they have to endure and overcome, all weaknesses which have a negative effect on them, all griefs which coercively bows them to unlikeable people and circumstances and myriad number of experiences. All these experiences can be discovered in "that victorious brow" i.e. Shakespeare works.