Revolutions

By Matthew Arnold

Sonnet
    Before Man parted for this earthly strand,     While yet upon the verge of heaven he stood,     God put a heap of letters in his hand,     And bade him make with them what word he could.     And Man has turnd them many times: made Greece,     Rome, England, France: yes, nor in vain essayd     Way after way, changes that never cease.     The letters have combind: something was made.     But ah, an inextinguishable sense     Haunts him that he has not made what he should.     That he has still, though old, to recommence,     Since he has not yet found the word God would.     And Empire after Empire, at their height     Of sway, have felt this boding sense come on.     Have felt their huge frames not constructed right,     And droopd, and slowly died upon their throne.     One day, thou sayst, there will at last appear     The word, the order, which God meant should be.     Ah, we shall know that well when it comes near:     The band will quit Mans heart:he will breathe free.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem explores profound themes of humanity's search for meaning, purpose, and divine understanding through the metaphor of letters given by God. It uses the construction of words as an allegory for civilizations, illustrating how mankind has repeatedly tried to create societies (Greece, Rome, England, France), yet never fully attaining the divine ideal.

The tone carries a sense of melancholy and longing but also hope. The melancholy stems from mankind's constant, yet unfulfilled, attempts to decipher God's intention, symbolized by the elusive 'word.' The hope, however, is presented in the poem's conclusion, where it is suggested that one day the perfect 'word' or order will be found, leading to liberation and peace.

The poem's structure subtly enhances its themes—the quatrains with their fixed rhyme scheme mirror the repeated attempts at creating order, while the varying line lengths and irregular meter reflect the instability and imperfection of these attempts. One particularly notable device is the personification of empires, which underscores their transient and flawed nature.

In conclusion, this poem offers a thoughtful examination of humanity's perennial struggle to understand and fulfill divine purpose, framed through the metaphor of words and letters, and cleverly embodied in the structure and literary devices of the poem itself.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.