Context for James Joyce’s ‘I Hear an Army’
James Joyce’s poem ‘I Hear an Army’ (1907) is a striking and intense piece that reflects themes of loneliness, betrayal, and existential turmoil. It was published in Chamber Music, a collection of Joyce’s early poetry. Unlike the musical and lyrical quality of many poems in the collection, ‘I Hear an Army’ is more dramatic and foreboding, filled with vivid imagery of a charging army and an overwhelming sense of despair.
‘She Was a Phantom of Delight’ by Wordsworth: Context
William Wordsworth’s poem ‘She Was a Phantom of Delight’ (1804) is a deeply personal and romantic portrayal of his wife, Mary Hutchinson. This poem, written in three stanzas, traces the evolution of his perception of her—from an almost ethereal and mystical presence to a grounded and steadfast partner.
Context for Coleridge’s ‘From Fears in Solitude’
Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem From Fears in Solitude (1798) is deeply embedded in the political, social, and personal anxieties of its time. Written during the turmoil of the French Revolutionary Wars, the poem reflects Coleridge’s meditations on war, national identity, and the role of the poet in turbulent times.
Love (III) by George Herbert: Explained
Love (III) is one of his most celebrated poems, appearing in his posthumously published collection The Temple (1633). This poem presents an intimate and moving dialogue between the speaker and divine Love, depicting the interaction between human unworthiness and God's boundless grace.
Stabat Mater by Sam Hunt: Explained
Drawing inspiration from the traditional Catholic hymn of the same name, Hunt’s poem reimagines the maternal figure in a modern and deeply personal context. In this blog post, we’ll explore the themes, style, and significance of Stabat Mater within Sam Hunt’s body of work.
‘The Buck in the Snow’ by Edna St. Vincent Millay: Explained
Edna St. Vincent Millay’s poem ‘The Buck in the Snow’ is a poignant meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. With its vivid imagery and reflective tone, the poem juxtaposes the beauty of a serene moment in nature with the suddenness of mortality.