Poem Analysis - The Passing Of The Elder Bards

A Lament for Lost Voices

Wordsworth's "The Passing Of The Elder Bards" is a poignant elegy, a lament for the deaths of fellow Romantic poets who shaped the literary landscape of their time. The poem opens with a tone of sorrow and finality, mourning the loss of these influential figures. As the poem progresses, a sense of urgency and introspection creeps in, culminating in a chilling question about the speaker's own mortality. The overall mood transitions from grief to a contemplation of personal destiny.

The Shadow of Romanticism's End

The poem exists within the context of the late Romantic era, a period marked by both immense creative output and the deaths of many of its leading figures. Wordsworth, a prominent figure in the Romantic movement, directly references Coleridge and Lamb, two of his contemporaries and friends. Their deaths, along with that of another unspecified "Minstrel" and "Shepherd-poet," signaled a shift in the literary world, perhaps even a perceived decline of the Romantic spirit. Wordsworth’s poem, therefore, functions as both a personal farewell and a broader commentary on the changing times.

Mortality's Inevitable Sweep

The most prominent theme is the inescapable nature of mortality. The poem opens with decisive statements of death: "The Mighty Minstrel breathes no longer," "death upon the braes of Yarrow / Has closed the Shepherd-poet's eyes," and "every mortal power of Coleridge / Was frozen." These stark declarations emphasize the finality of death and its indiscriminate reach. The metaphor of "clouds that rake the mountain-summits, / Or waves that own no curbing hand" further illustrates the relentless and unstoppable force of time and death, sweeping away even the most towering figures. The phrase "sunshine to the sunless land!" powerfully conveys the transition from life to death.

The Burden of Survival and the Question of Legacy

Another key theme is the burden of survival. The speaker, Wordsworth himself, is left behind, a survivor among the fallen giants. This is made explicit in the lines, "Yet I, whose lids from infant slumber / Were earlier raised, remain to hear/ A timid voice, that asks in whispers,/ 'Who next will drop and disappear?'" The "timid voice" suggests a fear of his own impending death, but also a potential responsibility to carry on the legacy of his departed peers. This voice, a whisper, highlights the fragility of life and the constant threat of disappearance.

Echoes of Loneliness and Loss

Finally, the poem subtly explores the theme of isolation and loss. The image of Lamb's "lonely hearth" is particularly evocative, suggesting the emptiness and sorrow left behind by death. The poem’s focus on the individual deaths of these poets, rather than offering a collective eulogy, reinforces the sense of personal loss and the isolation experienced by those left behind. While the initial stanzas present death as a widespread phenomenon affecting multiple figures, the closing question isolates the speaker, confronting him with his own mortality and potential loneliness.

Symbolism in Nature and Place

The poem uses several potent images and symbols to amplify its themes. The "mouldering ruins" serve as a physical representation of decay and the passing of time. "Braes of Yarrow," with its historical and literary associations, suggests a place of both beauty and sorrow, linking the landscape to the themes of death and remembrance. The "sunless land" is a conventional, yet effective, symbol for death, representing the absence of life and light. The comparison of the deaths to clouds and waves emphasizes the sheer force and inevitability of time’s passage. What does it mean that the "rapt One" is said to be of a "godlike forehead" and that he is "heaven-eyed"? How does this contribute to the elegaic mode of the poem?

A Final Reflection on Transience

In conclusion, "The Passing Of The Elder Bards" is a deeply personal and reflective poem that meditates on the themes of mortality, survival, and loss. Wordsworth uses vivid imagery and a somber tone to convey the impact of his contemporaries' deaths and to grapple with his own inevitable fate. The poem serves not only as a tribute to these literary giants, but also as a poignant reminder of the transience of life and the enduring power of art to confront the shadows of mortality. The poem’s final question lingers, forcing the reader to contemplate the same unsettling question of who will be next to "drop and disappear."