Poem Analysis - Coplas De Manrique

An Overview of Coplas De Manrique

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's "Coplas De Manrique" is a reflective and somber poem that meditates on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The poem's tone is melancholic and introspective, with a sense of urgency in its call to awaken from life's slumbers and prepare for the inevitable end. The mood shifts from a contemplation of mortality to a celebration of virtue and a call to live a life of honor and faith. The poem is structured as a series of meditations, each building on the themes of life, death, and the afterlife.

Themes of Mortality and Transience

The central theme of "Coplas De Manrique" is the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Longfellow uses vivid imagery to emphasize the fleeting nature of human existence. The poem begins with a call to "let the soul her slumbers break" and awaken to the reality that "death comes softly stealing on." This imagery of death as a thief underscores the sudden and unexpected nature of mortality. The poem repeatedly emphasizes that "life is past and gone" and that "death comes softly stealing on," highlighting the inevitability of death and the need to be prepared for it.

The theme of transience is further developed through the use of natural imagery. Life is compared to a river that "glides free to that unfathomed, boundless sea, the silent grave." This metaphor emphasizes the inexorable flow of time and the ultimate destination of all living things. The poem also uses the imagery of bubbles and fleeting dreams to illustrate the ephemeral nature of human pleasures and ambitions. The "bubbles we pursue on earth" and the "dreams of old" are both "fleeting" and "pass away," underscoring the transient nature of worldly pursuits.

The Call to Virtue and Faith

In contrast to the transience of worldly pleasures, the poem calls for a life of virtue and faith. Longfellow contrasts the "eternal life, beyond the sky" with the "base and sensual life, which leads to want and shame." The poem suggests that true happiness and fulfillment come not from worldly pursuits but from a life of virtue and faith. The "good monk, in cloistered cell" and the "brave knight, whose arm endures fierce battle" are both promised an "eternal life" beyond the sky, highlighting the rewards of a life dedicated to virtue and faith.

The poem also emphasizes the importance of faith in the face of death. The dying warrior's prayer to "God, that for our sins didst take a human form" underscores the Christian belief in redemption through faith. The warrior's acceptance of death as "the will of Heaven" and his readiness to "bow to the divine decree" highlight the importance of faith in the face of mortality. The poem suggests that a life of virtue and faith is the only true path to eternal life and happiness.

Symbolism and Imagery

The poem is rich in symbolism and vivid imagery that reinforce its themes. The river that flows to the "unfathomed, boundless sea" symbolizes the inexorable flow of time and the ultimate destination of all living things. The "bubbles" and "fleeting dreams" symbolize the ephemeral nature of worldly pleasures and ambitions. The "good monk" and the "brave knight" symbolize the virtues of faith and courage, respectively, and the rewards that come from a life dedicated to these virtues.

The imagery of death as a thief and the "silent grave" as the ultimate destination of all living things underscores the inevitability of mortality and the need to be prepared for it. The "eternal life, beyond the sky" symbolizes the rewards of a life of virtue and faith, and the contrast between this eternal life and the "base and sensual life" highlights the importance of choosing the path of virtue and faith.

Conclusion

"Coplas De Manrique" is a profound meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Through vivid imagery and symbolism, Longfellow emphasizes the need to awaken from life's slumbers and prepare for the inevitable end. The poem calls for a life of virtue and faith, suggesting that true happiness and fulfillment come not from worldly pursuits but from a life dedicated to these virtues. The poem's final insight is that a life of virtue and faith is the only true path to eternal life and happiness, and that death, when accepted as the will of Heaven, can be faced with courage and faith.