Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Approaching Elsinore" is a poem by John Drinkwater, an English poet and playwright who lived from 1882 to 1937. The poem was published in 1916 and is a meditation on the landscape and history of Denmark, as well as on the enduring power of Shakespeare's play "Hamlet."

Context:

The poem was written during World War I, a global conflict that had a profound impact on European society and culture. Many poets and writers of the time were deeply affected by the war and its aftermath, and the poem can be seen as a reflection on the fragility of human existence and the enduring power of art to inspire and console.

Content:

The poem begins with the speaker on a journey towards Elsinore, a location that is significant both for its natural beauty and as the setting of Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." The poem is structured around the speaker's observations and reflections on the landscape, as well as on the power of Shakespeare's work to inspire and move people.

The first stanza describes the beauty of the sea and sky, as well as the sense of awe and wonder that the speaker feels when contemplating the natural world. The second stanza reflects on the historical significance of the landscape, and the idea that the land is imbued with the memories of those who have come before.

In the third stanza, the speaker turns to the subject of "Hamlet," reflecting on the play's enduring power to move and inspire people. The stanza also introduces the theme of mortality, as the speaker reflects on the idea that death is an inevitable part of the human experience.

The fourth stanza continues the theme of mortality, with the speaker reflecting on the idea that even the most enduring things, such as the landscape and the works of Shakespeare, are subject to the ravages of time. The stanza also introduces the idea that art can serve as a way of transcending time and mortality, providing a means of connecting with something larger and more enduring than the individual self.

The final stanza returns to the idea of the natural world, with the speaker describing the beauty of the landscape and the sense of peace and serenity that it provides. The stanza also emphasizes the idea that the landscape is a source of enduring inspiration and solace, and that art has the power to connect us with something larger and more enduring than ourselves.

Form:

The poem is written in free verse, with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter. The lack of formal structure reflects the idea that the landscape and the human experience are both infinite and chaotic. The poem is also notable for its use of imagery and metaphor, which help to convey the sense of wonder and awe that the speaker feels when contemplating the natural world.

Poetic Elements:

Drinkwater makes use of a variety of poetic devices in "Approaching Elsinore," including imagery, metaphor, and allusion. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the natural world, including images of sea and sky, hills and forests. The allusions to Shakespeare's "Hamlet" help to give the poem a sense of historical and cultural significance, and underscore the enduring power of art to inspire and console.

Summary:

"Approaching Elsinore" is a powerful and evocative poem that reflects on the beauty of the natural world and the enduring power of Shakespeare's work. Drinkwater's use of language and imagery is particularly effective in conveying the speaker's sense of wonder and awe at the Danish landscape, and his allusions to "Hamlet" help to give the poem a sense of cultural and historical significance. Overall, "Approaching Elsinore" is a moving and beautifully written poem that speaks to the universal experiences of human existence.

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