Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Seymour Bridges' "The Chivalry of the Sea" is a poem that celebrates the heroic deeds of sailors and the chivalrous ideals that they embody. The poem was first published in Bridges' collection of poems, "The Testament of Beauty" in 1929. 

"The Chivalry of the Sea" is a poem that celebrates the heroic deeds of sailors and the chivalrous ideals that they embody. The speaker describes the bravery and courage of sailors, who risk their lives to save others in peril on the high seas. The poem's focus on the chivalrous ideals of sailors emphasizes the importance of recognizing the courage and selflessness of those who serve in the Navy and the Merchant Marine.

"The Chivalry of the Sea" is written in free verse, with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter. The poem's lack of traditional form emphasizes the importance of the content over the structure. The poem also features a number of poetic devices, including metaphor, imagery, and personification.

The metaphor of the sea as a place of danger and adventure is a recurring theme throughout the poem, emphasizing the bravery and courage of sailors who venture into its depths. The vivid imagery of the storm-tossed seas and the heroic deeds of sailors creates a powerful image of the dangers that sailors face and the bravery that they exhibit in the face of these dangers. Finally, the personification of the sea, such as the description of it as a "bride of winds," adds to the sense of adventure and danger that sailors face.

"The Chivalry of the Sea" is a powerful poem that celebrates the bravery and selflessness of sailors. The poem's emphasis on the chivalrous ideals of sailors underscores the importance of recognizing the courage and selflessness of those who serve in the Navy and the Merchant Marine.

Additionally, the poem can be read as a commentary on the power of adventure and danger to inspire courage and selflessness in individuals. The speaker's description of the storm-tossed seas and the heroic deeds of sailors emphasizes the way in which danger and adventure can inspire individuals to act with courage and selflessness.

"The Chivalry of the Sea" is a powerful poem that celebrates the bravery and selflessness of sailors. Bridges' use of poetic elements, such as metaphor, imagery, and personification, creates a vivid and emotional image of the dangers that sailors face and the bravery that they exhibit in the face of these dangers. The poem's focus on the chivalrous ideals of sailors underscores the importance of recognizing the courage and selflessness of those who serve in the Navy and the Merchant Marine. The poem's emphasis on the power of adventure and danger to inspire courage and selflessness underscores the importance of recognizing the value of adventure and danger in our lives.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...