Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Musical Instrument" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a dramatic monologue in which the speaker, a lyre, tells the story of how it came to be made and its current situation. The poem is written in fourteen stanzas of varying lengths, with a consistent ABABB rhyme scheme.

The poem begins with the lyre describing itself as having been created in a forest grove by a nymph who sang while she wove. It was made of natural materials and was therefore able to produce a pure and beautiful sound. However, the lyre is now in the possession of a proud and vain king, who has had it ornamented with precious jewels and metals, causing it to lose its original simplicity and beauty.

The lyre then tells of how it longs to return to its original state and be played by the hands of a humble and pure-hearted musician who will appreciate its true worth. It laments that it is now only played by the king, who uses it to satisfy his own vanity and to impress others with his wealth.

The poem is a commentary on the nature of art and beauty, and how they can be corrupted by pride and greed. The lyre, as a symbol of art, is seen as pure and beautiful when created by a simple and humble spirit, but becomes corrupted when it falls into the hands of the wealthy and powerful. The poem suggests that true art can only be appreciated by those who are themselves pure and humble.

Browning also uses rich and vivid imagery throughout the poem, such as describing the lyre's original creation in the forest grove, the ornaments that the king has added to it, and the longing of the lyre to return to its original state. The poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of art, and the forces that can either elevate or corrupt it.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem consists of twelve stanzas of varying lengths, ranging from four to ten lines, with a total of sixty-four lines. It is written in free verse, with no strict rhyme scheme or meter.
• Imagery: The poem is filled with vivid and sensory imagery, particularly related to the natural world. The images are often juxtaposed in surprising ways, such as the contrast between the "blackness" of a butterfly's wing and the "amber" of the sun, or the "azure" of a bird's feather and the "fire" of a flower.
• Symbolism: The musical instrument in the poem is used as a symbol for the human soul, which is capable of producing beautiful music when it is in harmony with the natural world. The instrument also represents the power of creativity and the ability to transcend the limitations of the physical world.
• Personification: The natural world is personified throughout the poem, as the speaker describes the flowers and birds as having their own voices and songs.
• Allusion: The poem makes reference to several mythological and literary figures, including Orpheus, Pan, and Apollo. These references serve to underscore the theme of the power of music and creativity to transcend the limitations of mortality.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and introspective, as the speaker reflects on the relationship between the natural world and the human soul. The tone is also celebratory, as the speaker marvels at the beauty and wonder of the natural world and its ability to inspire creativity and transcendence.

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