Memorial Verses by Matthew Arnold - Explanation
The poem is written by Matthew Arnold. a Victorian poet. Arnold published the poem in 1850, the year in which Wordsworth died. The poem talks about three preceded literary figures - Goethe, Byron and Wordsworth and their relevance in the poet's contemporary society. Goethe is described by the poet as a sage of the age who was aware of the ailments and problems of the European people. Arnold praises Byron not for his works but for his unusual spirit and his struggle. The poet uplifts the position of Wordsworth and after his departure, he would be missed by Europeans. The poet emphasizes that Wordsworth possesses "healing powers" and no one after him would teach people how to actually feel things.
Stanza 1
The poet says that Goethe, an eminent German literary figure has already died and rested in peace in the city of Weimar and Lord Byron has died too a long time ago in Greece, with his departure from the world, his struggle also came to halt. Then he says that there is only one death which is yet to come i.e. of Wordsworth, whose death is yet to come and Arnold says that he is counting on for him to die soon.
Stanza 2
In this stanza, he talks about Lord Byron who had already died and people pay him respect and bow their head in his memories. Byron is not respected for his works and teachings but for his own heroic and unusual character. The poet compares him to the "thunder's roll". People witness his conflict of passion with "eternal law" or status quo with excitement and looked upon him with respect. Byron holds no trust in society or government. They watched his beginning of passionate life which led to the powerful conflict he had.
Stanza 3
In this stanza and the next, he praises Goethe and titled him the "Europe's sagest head". he says that Goethe was the physician (doctor) of the "iron age" i.e worse and wicked Age. He had completed his pilgrim's journey and he was aware of the sufferings and problems of the human beings and like a physician, he can find the wound and weakness and can tell the remedial measures.
Stanza 4
Arnold continues his praising of Goethe and says that he reckoned the Europe's worst time which had unsteady dreams and hysterical power. His vision saw the disturbance and uncertainty in human life. Goethe knew the end and advise the people to take refuge under the roof of art. He knew the cause of the things and the solution of all these problems is to be happy.
Stanza 5
At last, he comes to his main subject i.e. Wordsworth. He has the ability to make even the ghosts filled with joy. His message has a soothing and tranquillizing effect on the unclear world. In the early morning, some ghosts heard the song of the Orpheus who was on his journey to Hades (hell). Orpheus was a great Greek Musician who went to Hades to get her dead wife back to life but failed.
Both Orpheus and Wordsworth have left the world. Their voice is missed by everyone. In this wintry (devoid of warmth) climate, when people need him the most he had gone. Arnold describes his era as "iron time of doubts, disputes, distractions, fears". According to him, Wordsworth gives relief to people when their soul became insensitive. He speaks to people's heart and they cry their heart out. He brought back their childhood and its comfort and brings smiles and calmness to them.
Stanza 6
When people read Wordsworth, they feel they are surrounded by natural setting in which hills are around them and during sunny days, the breeze is blowing over the fields. They can feel the soft wind and enjoy the rain. Their youth which they missed comes back to them with Wordsworth's poetry. Arnold says that Wordsworth was the protecting shed who protects people from losing their souls and then Wordsworth's leaving left the souls bare and led to its loss, with it the freshness of the early world gone too.
Stanza 7
Mankind can cope up in its course without Goethe's sage mind and Byron's passion, but the future generation people of Europe will crave again for Wordsworth's healing power. They can learn to be mighty and strong and learn to be more tolerant. Arnold question that who would make them feel. front
Stanza 8
Arnold urges the river of Rotha to keep the grass fresh upon Wordsworth's grave with its waves. He also tells the river to sing its best song to his grave as very few people can hear its voice right and now Wordsworth is gone from the world.
Stanza 1
The poet says that Goethe, an eminent German literary figure has already died and rested in peace in the city of Weimar and Lord Byron has died too a long time ago in Greece, with his departure from the world, his struggle also came to halt. Then he says that there is only one death which is yet to come i.e. of Wordsworth, whose death is yet to come and Arnold says that he is counting on for him to die soon.
Stanza 2
In this stanza, he talks about Lord Byron who had already died and people pay him respect and bow their head in his memories. Byron is not respected for his works and teachings but for his own heroic and unusual character. The poet compares him to the "thunder's roll". People witness his conflict of passion with "eternal law" or status quo with excitement and looked upon him with respect. Byron holds no trust in society or government. They watched his beginning of passionate life which led to the powerful conflict he had.
Stanza 3
In this stanza and the next, he praises Goethe and titled him the "Europe's sagest head". he says that Goethe was the physician (doctor) of the "iron age" i.e worse and wicked Age. He had completed his pilgrim's journey and he was aware of the sufferings and problems of the human beings and like a physician, he can find the wound and weakness and can tell the remedial measures.
Stanza 4
Arnold continues his praising of Goethe and says that he reckoned the Europe's worst time which had unsteady dreams and hysterical power. His vision saw the disturbance and uncertainty in human life. Goethe knew the end and advise the people to take refuge under the roof of art. He knew the cause of the things and the solution of all these problems is to be happy.
Stanza 5
At last, he comes to his main subject i.e. Wordsworth. He has the ability to make even the ghosts filled with joy. His message has a soothing and tranquillizing effect on the unclear world. In the early morning, some ghosts heard the song of the Orpheus who was on his journey to Hades (hell). Orpheus was a great Greek Musician who went to Hades to get her dead wife back to life but failed.
Both Orpheus and Wordsworth have left the world. Their voice is missed by everyone. In this wintry (devoid of warmth) climate, when people need him the most he had gone. Arnold describes his era as "iron time of doubts, disputes, distractions, fears". According to him, Wordsworth gives relief to people when their soul became insensitive. He speaks to people's heart and they cry their heart out. He brought back their childhood and its comfort and brings smiles and calmness to them.
Stanza 6
When people read Wordsworth, they feel they are surrounded by natural setting in which hills are around them and during sunny days, the breeze is blowing over the fields. They can feel the soft wind and enjoy the rain. Their youth which they missed comes back to them with Wordsworth's poetry. Arnold says that Wordsworth was the protecting shed who protects people from losing their souls and then Wordsworth's leaving left the souls bare and led to its loss, with it the freshness of the early world gone too.
Stanza 7
Mankind can cope up in its course without Goethe's sage mind and Byron's passion, but the future generation people of Europe will crave again for Wordsworth's healing power. They can learn to be mighty and strong and learn to be more tolerant. Arnold question that who would make them feel. front
Stanza 8
Arnold urges the river of Rotha to keep the grass fresh upon Wordsworth's grave with its waves. He also tells the river to sing its best song to his grave as very few people can hear its voice right and now Wordsworth is gone from the world.