The rhyming scheme of the poem is AABBCCDDEEFFGG. Thus, the poem consists of 7 rhyming couplets. The Burning Babe Summary
The rhyming scheme of the poem is AABBCCDDEEFFGG. Thus, the poem consists of 7 rhyming couplets.
See lessEnglish Notes Latest Questions
-
"The Burning Babe" by Robert Southwell revolves around the central idea of the profound mystery of the Incarnation and the transformative power of divine love. The poem presents a vivid and paradoxical image of an infant, the burning babe, who symbolizes Jesus Christ. This divine figure appears in tRead more
“The Burning Babe” by Robert Southwell revolves around the central idea of the profound mystery of the Incarnation and the transformative power of divine love. The poem presents a vivid and paradoxical image of an infant, the burning babe, who symbolizes Jesus Christ. This divine figure appears in the midst of a cold winter night, radiating intense heat that represents the fervent love of God. The poem delves into the theological themes of sacrifice and redemption, as the babe expresses the intention to become a cleansing bath, washing humanity in his blood. This references the Christian belief in the redemptive power of Christ’s sacrificial death. The furnace imagery symbolizes the transformative process of purification and refinement that believers undergo through their connection with the divine. Overall, the central idea revolves around the awe-inspiring and paradoxical nature of the Incarnation, emphasizing the profound impact of Christ’s love on the spiritual journey of individuals.
See less
-
Imagery- Imagery is the use of vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating a mental image for the reader. It can be seen in the linen “A pretty Babe all burning bright did in the air appear;/ Who, scorched with excessive heat, such floods of tears did shed” Paradox- Paradox iRead more
- Imagery- Imagery is the use of vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating a mental image for the reader. It can be seen in the linen “A pretty Babe all burning bright did in the air appear;/ Who, scorched with excessive heat, such floods of tears did shed”
- Paradox- Paradox is a statement or situation that appears contradictory but reveals a deeper truth. The burning babe, an infant emitting heat, yet shedding tears, embodies a paradoxical image.
- Metaphor- Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting that they are alike. It can be seen in the line, “My faultless breast the furnace is, the fuel wounding thorns.”
- Personification- Personification is giving human qualities to non-human entities or abstract concepts. The notions of Justice and Mercy are personified in the poem.
- Enjabment- Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, stanza, or couplet. It is used in the poem.
- Symbolism- Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities beyond their literal meaning. The burning babe symbolizes Christ, and the furnace represents the transformative process of spiritual purification.
- Alliteration- Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of adjacent or closely positioned words. It can be seen in phrases lile, “burning babe”, “…in fiery heats I fry,”, etc.
- Allusion- Allusion is the reference to another work of literature, person, or event, often with symbolic significance. Allusions to biblical concepts and narratives, such as the nativity and the use of thorns as fuel, contribute to the poem’s depth.
-
The speaker in "Easter Wings" muses on how one's relationship with God provides comfort from suffering and how, initially, suffering is what makes spiritual redemption possible. The speaker makes the case that one can discover spiritual liberation, salvation, and an end to suffering by devotion to GRead more
The speaker in “Easter Wings” muses on how one’s relationship with God provides comfort from suffering and how, initially, suffering is what makes spiritual redemption possible. The speaker makes the case that one can discover spiritual liberation, salvation, and an end to suffering by devotion to God. The poem implies that the speaker’s agony acts as what makes this reconciliation possible and that because of the agony the speaker has experienced, their spiritual emancipation will be much more potent.
See less
-
The rhyme scheme of this poem is ABABACCDC. Easter Wings Summary
-
The central idea of this poem is spiritual rebirth and resurrection. The speaker laments the fall of humanity from grace and expresses a desire for spiritual elevation. For them, Easter is an opportunity to celebrate God's victory over sin and death by rising like a lark. Easter Wings Summary
The central idea of this poem is spiritual rebirth and resurrection. The speaker laments the fall of humanity from grace and expresses a desire for spiritual elevation. For them, Easter is an opportunity to celebrate God’s victory over sin and death by rising like a lark.
See less
-
Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that draws a comparison between two unrelated ideas. It's a means of metaphorically transferring one thing's attributes to another. The usage of "wings" to symbolise spiritual development and ascend towards God is the main metaphor. Allusions to birds, suchRead more
- Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech that draws a comparison between two unrelated ideas. It’s a means of metaphorically transferring one thing’s attributes to another. The usage of “wings” to symbolise spiritual development and ascend towards God is the main metaphor. Allusions to birds, such as larks and falcons, which stand for strength, freedom, and joy, enhance this image even further.
- Alliteration: Alliteration, or the recurrence of opening consonants, is a device used by Auden to improve the poem’s melodic quality. Consonants are used repeatedly in the poem (“Lord,” “larks,” “light”).
- Enjambment: Punctuation frequently runs over lines, giving the impression of movement and flow and reflecting the idea of upward spiritual flight.
- Symbolism: Symbolism is a figure of speech in which another thing is represented by a person, thing, phrase, or circumstance. Moving past the wings, further symbols such as “light,” “joy,” and “fall” stand in for important Christian ideas like salvation, resurrection, and atonement.
-
In this sonnet, Shelley employs several themes. The transience of a ruler's splendor and legacy is the central theme. It alludes subtly to the sense of futility. At some time, a guy will become forgotten, no matter how hard he works to cement his reputation. Ozymandias, for instance, attempted to suRead more
In this sonnet, Shelley employs several themes. The transience of a ruler’s splendor and legacy is the central theme. It alludes subtly to the sense of futility. At some time, a guy will become forgotten, no matter how hard he works to cement his reputation. Ozymandias, for instance, attempted to surpass God. Introducing himself as the “King of Kings.” Throughout history, all aspirational rulers have referred to them by much the same moniker. They lost sight of their basic nature—that all living things eventually die—in their quest for glory. In addition, the sonnet makes use of themes such as power fall, the force of art, and vainglory.
See less
-
The rhyme scheme of ‘Ozymandias’ is ABABACDC EDEFEF. Ozymandias Summary
The poem chiefly revolves around the mystery of the Incarnation, the Christian belief that God took on human form in the person of Jesus Christ. Here, the burning babe represents the divine presence and the miraculous event of Christ's birth. The same image also symbolises the intense, all-consumingRead more
The poem chiefly revolves around the mystery of the Incarnation, the Christian belief that God took on human form in the person of Jesus Christ. Here, the burning babe represents the divine presence and the miraculous event of Christ’s birth. The same image also symbolises the intense, all-consuming love of Christ. The paradox of a babe burning with excessive heat yet weeping conveys the idea of divine love mingled with human compassion. References to fire, tears, and blood in the poem evoke the themes of sacrifice and redemption. The babe’s intention to “melt into a bath” to wash humanity in his blood reflects the Christian belief in Christ’s sacrificial death for the redemption of sins. The furnace imagery in the poem suggests a process of purification and refinement. This theme aligns with biblical metaphors that describe God’s refining fire, emphasizing the transformative effect of divine love on the souls of believers. Thus, the poem centers aroun the Christian Christian theological concepts of the Incarnation, divine love, sacrifice, and redemption.
The Burning Babe Summary
See less