Poem Analysis - On The Deathbed

Introduction: A Descent into Passion and Despair

Rumi's "On the Deathbed" is a poignant exploration of suffering, love, and the acceptance of mortality. The poem begins with a sense of urgency and despair, a speaker seemingly consumed by intense emotional and physical pain. However, the poem shifts subtly towards a reluctant acceptance, a yearning for something beyond the present torment. The overall tone is one of desperate longing intertwined with the inevitability of death, creating a powerful and moving experience for the reader.

Background and Influences

Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic, deeply influenced by Islamic mysticism, focused his work on the love of God and the yearning for union with the divine. His poetry often explores themes of divine love through earthly metaphors. Though "On the Deathbed" appears to address a human relationship, it's essential to consider the Sufi context. The "lover" and the suffering could be interpreted as the soul's journey towards God, facing trials and tribulations on its path to spiritual enlightenment.

The Unbearable Weight of Suffering and the Yearning for Escape

One dominant theme is the overwhelming nature of suffering. The speaker is "ruined, exhausted," "writhing in a wave of passion," and trapped in a "corner of grief." The imagery is intense and visceral, conveying the depths of the speaker's pain. The lines, "While a tyrant with a heart of flint slays, / and no one says, 'Prepare to pay the blood money,'" paint a picture of injustice and helplessness, possibly reflecting a spiritual oppression or an internal battle. The speaker expresses a desire to escape the suffering, first by asking the other person to either stay and be forgiving or leave and be cruel, and then by stating "No cure exists for this pain but to die," suggesting that the suffering is so profound that death is the only release.

Love as a Double-Edged Sword

The poem explores the complex nature of love, which is portrayed as both a source of intense passion and agonizing pain. The speaker is consumed by a "wave of passion" yet simultaneously feels abandoned and ruined. The line "Either stay and be forgiving, or, if you like, be cruel and leave," highlights the vulnerability and dependence inherent in love. "Faith in the king comes easily in lovely times, / but be faithful now and endure, pale lover," shows the test love faces when times are hard. The vision of the "ancient one in the garden of love" offers a glimpse of a different kind of love, a beckoning towards a transcendent, spiritual love that might provide solace from earthly suffering. This contrast emphasizes the duality of love, capable of causing both immense joy and profound sorrow.

Mortality and the Acceptance of the Inevitable

The poem grapples with the theme of mortality. The speaker's suffering leads to an acceptance of death as a release. The line "No cure exists for this pain but to die" is a direct acknowledgment of the speaker's approaching end. The dream of the "ancient one" can be interpreted as a premonition of death, an invitation to the afterlife. The speaker's reflections on history and the human struggle also hint at the transient nature of human existence. He is losing himself and recommends reading classic stories, history, and rejecting "mediocre verse," is an implied acknowledgement of the enduring and essential knowledge for facing death and the human condition.

Symbolic Emerald and the Warding Off of Evil

The image of the "emerald" in the line "On this path, Love is the emerald, / the beautiful green that wards off dragonsnough" is particularly striking. The emerald, often associated with healing and protection, symbolizes the power of love to ward off negativity and evil. In this context, "dragonsnough" could represent the forces of darkness, despair, or spiritual stagnation. The emerald suggests that love, even in the face of death, offers a form of protection and guidance on the spiritual path. The vivid green color adds to the sense of hope and renewal, contrasting with the overall tone of despair.

Conclusion: Finding Meaning in Suffering

"On the Deathbed" is a powerful exploration of suffering, love, and mortality. Through vivid imagery, a shift in tone, and symbolic language, Rumi creates a deeply moving portrayal of a soul grappling with intense pain and facing the inevitability of death. The poem ultimately suggests that even in the darkest of times, love offers a glimmer of hope and protection, guiding the individual toward a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the universe. The poem leaves the reader pondering the complexities of love and the search for meaning in the face of suffering and mortality.