Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Beauty" is a poem by John Masefield, who was the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1930 until his death in 1967. It was published in 1917, during World War I, when Masefield was serving as a medical orderly with the British Red Cross in France. The poem is part of Masefield's collection "Salt-Water Ballads," which includes other poems about the sea and the life of sailors.

Content:

"Beauty" is a short but powerful poem that explores the concept of beauty and its connection to nature. The speaker in the poem reflects on the beauty of the world around him, describing the sea, the sky, and the stars as "wonderful." However, he also acknowledges that beauty is fleeting and impermanent, like a "flower, a bubble, a flame."

The poem also touches on the idea of mortality and the inevitability of death. The speaker notes that even though beauty is temporary, it is still worth celebrating and cherishing while it lasts. He suggests that the beauty of the natural world can provide solace and comfort in the face of life's difficulties and hardships.

Form and Poetic Elements:

"Beauty" is a free verse poem with no discernible rhyme scheme. It is structured into two stanzas, with the first stanza consisting of three lines and the second stanza consisting of six lines. The poem employs several literary devices, including personification (referring to the sea and the sky as "her" and "his" respectively), metaphor (comparing beauty to a "flower, a bubble, a flame"), and alliteration ("loveliness and light").

Summary:

"Beauty" is a beautiful and contemplative poem that celebrates the natural world and encourages readers to appreciate the beauty that surrounds them. Masefield's use of vivid imagery and literary devices creates a sense of wonder and awe, and his reflections on the impermanence of beauty lend the poem a sense of poignancy and depth. Overall, "Beauty" is a thoughtful and uplifting poem that inspires readers to find beauty and meaning in even the most fleeting moments of life.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...