Poem Analysis - Fragment Now Health Forsakes That Angel Face

Initial Impression and Tone

Robert Burns' poem Fragment [Now health forsakes that angel face] is a poignant and melancholic piece that captures the anguish of a speaker witnessing the decline of a beloved person. The tone is deeply sorrowful and desperate, reflecting the speaker's helplessness in the face of illness and impending loss. The poem shifts from a sense of loss and despair to a direct plea to the heavens, highlighting the speaker's emotional turmoil. The use of Scottish dialect adds a layer of authenticity and intimacy, drawing the reader into the speaker's personal grief.

Themes of Loss and Despair

The primary theme of the poem is the devastation of loss. The speaker's beloved is described as having an "angel face," suggesting a sense of purity and beauty that is now marred by illness. The phrase "nae mair my Dearie smiles" emphasizes the absence of joy and vitality, underscoring the profound impact of the beloved's decline. The speaker's despair is further highlighted by the repetition of the word "a'" in "a' my hopes beguiles," emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of their grief. The speaker's prayers to the heavens are met with rejection, amplifying their sense of helplessness and despair.

The Power of Imagery and Symbolism

The poem employs vivid imagery to convey the speaker's emotional state. The "angel face" symbolizes the beloved's innocence and beauty, while "pale sickness" represents the destructive force of illness. The withering of grace and the beguiling of hopes are powerful metaphors for the loss of vitality and optimism. The "cruel Powers" and the heavens are personified, emphasizing the speaker's sense of abandonment and the futility of their pleas. The final lines, "How can I see him die!" are a raw and desperate cry, underscoring the speaker's inability to accept the inevitable.

The Significance of the Poem

In conclusion, Burns' Fragment [Now health forsakes that angel face] is a deeply moving exploration of loss and despair. Through vivid imagery and a tone of profound sorrow, the poem captures the speaker's helplessness in the face of illness and impending loss. The use of Scottish dialect adds a layer of intimacy, drawing the reader into the speaker's personal grief. The poem's themes of loss, despair, and the powerlessness of prayer resonate deeply, offering a poignant reflection on the human experience of grief and the struggle to accept the inevitable.