Beauty
John Edward Masefield
About the Poet
John Edward Masefield (1878–1967) remains a revered figure in English literature, celebrated for his timeless contributions as a poet, writer, and the Poet Laureate from 1930 until his passing in 1967. His legacy shines brightly through enchanting children's novels such as "The Midnight Folk" and "The Box of Delights," alongside a remarkable collection of 19 other novels like "Captain Margaret," "Multitude and Solitude," and "Sad Harker." Masefield's poetic prowess is immortalized in works like "The Everlasting Mercy" and the beloved "Sea-Fever," found in his esteemed anthology "Saltwater Ballads." His words continue to resonate, weaving tales of adventure, beauty, and the enduring human spirit.
Snippet
The poet seems to bee Enthralled by the beauty of his beloved. He compares her to all the bounties of nature but finds her the most beautiful.
Poem
I have seen dawn and sunset on moors and windy hills;
Coming in solemn beauty like slow old tunes of Spain.
I have seen the lady April bringing the daffodils;
Bringing the springing grass and the soft warm April rain.
I have heard the song of the blossoms and chant of the sea;
And seen strange lands from under arched white sails of ships.
But the loveliest things of beauty God ever has showed to me.
Are her voice, and her hair, and eyes, and the dear red curve of her lips.
Glossary
solemn : serious and without any amusement.
spring (v) : to move quickly and suddenly towards a particular place.
blossoms : the state of flowering.
chant : sing.
arch : a structure consisting of a curved top on two supports.
curve : turn.
Summary
The poem "Beauty" by John Edward Masefield captures the essence of beauty through the poet's personal experiences and observations. It begins with the speaker recounting the natural beauty they have witnessed, such as dawn and sunset on moors and windy hills, and the arrival of spring with daffodils and April rain. The poet also mentions hearing the songs of blossoms and the sea, and glimpsing exotic lands from ship decks.
However, the central theme of the poem shifts towards human beauty, particularly that of a beloved person. The speaker declares that despite all the natural wonders they have seen, the loveliest and most beautiful things God has ever revealed to them are the voice, hair, eyes, and lips of their beloved. This transition from nature's beauty to human beauty emphasizes the profound impact of love and personal connection, suggesting that human beauty surpasses all other forms of beauty in the eyes of the beholder.
Central Idea, Theme and Nature
The central idea of the poem revolves around the speaker's experiences of beauty in nature and in a beloved person. The theme encompasses the transcendent beauty found in natural phenomena like dawn, sunset, spring, blossoms, the sea, and distant lands. However, the most profound beauty, as the speaker reveals in the concluding lines, lies in the attributes of a cherished individual.
The nature of the poem is reflective and appreciative. It starts by portraying the magnificence of nature's elements, using vivid imagery and comparisons to convey their grandeur and emotional impact on the speaker. The mood is serene and contemplative, shifting towards a more personal and intimate tone as the speaker expresses the ultimate beauty they have experienced in a loved one's voice, hair, eyes, and lips.
Overall, the poem celebrates the beauty of both nature and human connection, highlighting the deep impressions these sources of beauty leave on the observer and underscoring the enduring power of love and personal affection.
Reference to Context
Line I-IV
1. "I have seen dawn and sunset on moors and windy hills;"
This line reflects the speaker's personal experiences of witnessing both sunrise (dawn) and sunset on moors and hills that are often buffeted by wind. The mention of "moors" evokes a sense of open, wild landscapes, while "windy hills" suggests a place exposed to the elements, creating a vivid natural setting.
2. "Coming in solemn beauty like slow old tunes of Spain."
Here, the speaker describes the dawn and sunset as having a solemn and dignified beauty, reminiscent of the slow and melodic tunes one might associate with traditional Spanish music. The comparison to Spanish tunes adds a cultural and musical dimension to the description of nature's beauty, enhancing the imagery.
3. "I have seen the lady April bringing the daffodils;"
In this line, the speaker shifts focus to the arrival of spring, personifying the month of April as a lady who brings with her the blooming of daffodils. This personification adds a touch of whimsy and charm to the description of seasonal change, attributing human-like qualities to nature.
4. "Bringing the springing grass and the soft warm April rain."
The stanza concludes with a continuation of the imagery of spring, as April not only brings daffodils but also the emergence of new grass and gentle, warm rain showers. This depiction conveys the rejuvenation and growth associated with the arrival of spring, painting a picture of natural abundance and renewal.
5. "I have heard the blossoms' song and the sea's chant;"
This line suggests that the speaker has listened to the enchanting sounds produced by blossoms, which could be interpreted as the gentle rustling of leaves or the buzzing of bees amidst flowers. They have also heard the rhythmic and calming sounds of the sea, like the steady rhythm of waves hitting the shore.
6. "And gazed upon strange lands from beneath the arched white sails of ships."
This line paints a picture of the speaker observing distant and unfamiliar lands while being aboard ships with arched, white sails. This imagery evokes a sense of exploration and adventure, hinting at the speaker's experiences of travel and discovery.
7. "Yet, the most exquisite beauty God has ever revealed to me,"
This part introduces a contrast between the external beauty of nature and the internal beauty perceived by the speaker.
8. "Is embodied in her voice, her hair, her eyes, and the captivating curve of her lips."
The last line concludes by emphasizing that the speaker finds the most profound and captivating beauty in the attributes of a beloved person, including her voice, hair, eyes, and the enchanting curve of her lips. This suggests that the speaker's journeys and encounters with foreign beauties pale in comparison to the beauty found in personal connection and love.
Understanding the Poem
1. What are the various things of beauty the speaker has seen?
2. What are the loveliest of all these things God has shown to the poet?
3. To whom do the words in the last line refer to ?
4. Why does the poet compare dawn and sunset to slow old tunes?
5. How does God’s creation appear to the poet?
Answers:
1. The speaker in the poem has seen a multitude of beautiful things in nature. These include the majestic scenes of dawn and sunset on moors and windy hills, the arrival of spring with blooming daffodils and gentle April rain, the melodious song of blossoms, the rhythmic chant of the sea, and the distant allure of foreign lands viewed from sailing ships.
2. Among all the beautiful things the speaker has encountered, the loveliest of all, according to the poet, are the attributes of a cherished person. Specifically, the speaker mentions her voice, her hair, her eyes, and the captivating curve of her lips as the most exquisite beauties that God has revealed.
3. The words in the last line, "Are her voice, and her hair, and eyes, and the dear red curve of her lips," refer to the beloved person the speaker holds dear. This person embodies the ultimate beauty for the speaker, surpassing even the grandeur of nature's wonders.
4. The poet compares dawn and sunset to slow old tunes, specifically those of Spain, to convey their solemn beauty and tranquility. Just as old tunes evoke a sense of nostalgia and peace, so do the sunrise and sunset on moors and hills bring a feeling of serene beauty and calmness to the poet.
5. To the poet, God's creation appears as a tapestry of sublime beauty, comprising the grandeur of natural landscapes, the enchanting melodies of nature, and the profound emotions evoked by personal connections. The poem reflects a deep appreciation for the beauty found in both the external world and in intimate human relationships, portraying God's creation as a source of wonder, inspiration, and joy.
Learning about the literary device/s
1. What does the poet mean by the song of the blossoms? What does it symbolise?
2. What is the contrast between the last line and the rest of the poem? What does it suggest ?
1. The "song of the blossoms" in the poem symbolizes the vibrant harmony and renewal of spring, evoking feelings of joy and growth through nature's melodies.
2. The contrast in the last line, focusing on the beauty of a beloved person, adds a touch of intimate allure to the poem's majestic portrayal of nature, highlighting the profound impact of love and personal connections on one's perception of beauty.
Discussion
1. How does the poet describe beautiful things?
2. What is your idea of beauty? Share your thoughts with your group mates.
1. The poet describes beautiful things in the poem through vivid imagery and sensory details. He portrays beautiful scenes of nature, such as dawn and sunset on moors and hills, the arrival of spring with daffodils and rain, the melodious song of blossoms, and the rhythmic chant of the sea. These descriptions evoke a sense of awe, tranquility, and appreciation for the wonders of the natural world.
2. My idea of beauty encompasses a wide range of elements. Beyond physical appearances, I find beauty in kindness, empathy, resilience, creativity, and authenticity. Beauty, to me, is not just about external features but also about inner qualities that reflect a person's character and values. I believe beauty can be found in nature, art, relationships, and acts of kindness, each contributing to a rich tapestry of experiences that make life meaningful and fulfilling.
Poetic devices
In the poem "Beauty" by John Edward Masefield, several poetic devices are employed to enhance its imagery and themes. Here are the poetic devices used in the poem:
1. Simile: "like slow old tunes of Spain" - Compares the beauty of dawn and sunset to the slow, nostalgic tunes of Spain, emphasizing their solemn and tranquil nature.
2. Personification: "the lady April bringing the daffodils" - Gives human qualities to the month of April, portraying it as a graceful lady who brings the beauty of spring.
3. Alliteration: "soft warm April rain" - Repetition of the "r" sound creates a musical and rhythmic quality, enhancing the description of rain in April.
4. Imagery: The poem is rich in visual imagery, evoking scenes of nature such as sunrise, sunset, moors, hills, daffodils, rain, blossoms, the sea, and sailing ships. This imagery creates vivid mental pictures for the reader.
5. Symbolism: "song of the blossoms" - Symbolizes the harmony and renewal of spring, representing themes of joy and growth.
6. Repetition: The repetition of "And" at the beginning of lines in the third stanza ("And heard... And seen... But the loveliest...") creates a rhythmic flow and emphasizes the speaker's experiences.
7. Hyperbole: "the loveliest things of beauty God ever has showed to me" - Exaggerates the beauty of the beloved person to emphasize their significance and impact on the speaker.
Suggested Reading
Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats.
Life and Death by John Masefield.
Quote to remember
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.
John Keats