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The category "Funeral Blues" instantly hints at a somber tale of loss and grief, as the word "Funeral" carries the weight of death. The additional word "Blues" evokes a sense of melancholy, reminiscent of the mournful tunes in Blues music. The poem creates a negative atmosphere, portraying the narrator's deep emotional turmoil.
In "Funeral Blues," the narrator, a grieving female, has suffered the profound loss of a cherished loved one. The urgency in the words, "Stop all the clocks," suggests a desperate attempt to halt time itself, providing a moment of solitude for reflection.
The narrator of "The Triumph of Death," possibly Shakespeare, contrasts this by expressing a desire for loved ones not to mourn his passing. He aims for a positive perspective, urging them to celebrate his departure to what he perceives as a better place.
The tone in "Funeral Blues" resonates with solemnity, reflecting the deep sorrow of the narrator. She expresses the tragedy of losing someone dear and underscores the lasting impact on her life.
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On the contrary, "The Triumph of Death" carries a theme of optimism, as Shakespeare encourages loved ones to remember him joyfully, free from the burden of grief.
Death's impact on the caretaker is palpable in "Funeral Blues." The narrator's profound grief is evident in the words, "He was my North, my South, my East and West." The intensity of her emotions is further emphasized with the despairing statement, "For nothing now can ever come to any good." In contrast, Shakespeare's narrator in "The Triumph of Death" attempts to distance loved ones, declaring, "Nay, if you read this line, remember not The hand that writ it," expressing a desire to be forgotten.
The contrasting messages emerge in the advice given.
Shakespeare urges to forget him and celebrate his departure, while Auden's poem insists that the world should pause, acknowledge the loss, and reflect on the departed husband. The use of vivid imagery in both poems reinforces their respective messages—Shakespeare's plea for a carefree remembrance and Auden's call for a collective mourning.
The mood in "Funeral Blues" is one of depression, sadness, and fear. The narrator grapples with the unknown future without her loved one, creating a dark and gloomy atmosphere. On the other hand, "The Triumph of Death" resonates with a mood of happiness and peace, reflecting the narrator's belief in a better, pain-free existence beyond.
Shakespeare crafts a positive view of death by juxtaposing it with the negativity of life. His use of words like "No longer mourn for me when I am dead" and "If thinking of me should make you woe" conveys a belief in a more peaceful afterlife. In contrast, "Funeral Blues" sees death as a destructive force, evident in lines like "Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come" and "Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves," symbolizing the pervasive sadness associated with death.
Auden's poem expresses a vehement disapproval of death, viewing it as unfortunate and depressing. The absence of belief in an afterlife adds a sense of realism to this perspective. In contrast, Shakespeare's poem sees death as a welcomed transition to a better place, presenting a more positive outlook.
"The Triumph of Death" follows the structure of a sonnet, comprising exactly fourteen lines. The rhyme pattern, with every other line rhyming, aligns with the traditional sonnet form. Written in old English, the poem may pose a challenge for contemporary readers due to its archaic language. On the other hand, "Funeral Blues" adheres to a more standard structure with four verses, employing a rhyme pattern of every two lines. Written in modern English, the poem utilizes contemporary language, making it more accessible to readers.
Delving deeper into the nuances of "Funeral Blues," the poem unfolds as a poignant exploration of the narrator's emotional landscape. The desperate plea to "Stop all the clocks" underscores the overwhelming desire to freeze time, a futile attempt to grasp onto the moments shared with the departed loved one. The narrator's use of the possessive pronoun "my" in "He was my North, my South, my East and West" reveals the profound and all-encompassing nature of the relationship, further intensifying the pain of loss.
The juxtaposition of the funeral procession in "Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come" and the image of traffic policemen wearing "black cotton gloves" paints a vivid picture of the societal rituals associated with death. The use of the color black, universally symbolizing mourning, reinforces the somber atmosphere surrounding the funeral. The narrator's insistence on these symbolic gestures highlights the gravity of the loss and the need for collective acknowledgment of the departed soul.
Unlike Auden's despondent perspective, Shakespeare in "The Triumph of Death" takes a philosophical stance, addressing the inevitability of his own mortality. The insistence on not mourning his death but instead celebrating his departure reflects a belief in a transcendental existence beyond the confines of earthly life. The use of phrases like "No longer mourn for me when I am dead" and "If thinking of me should make you woe" conveys a desire for a joyous remembrance rather than a sorrowful one.
The sonnet structure employed by Shakespeare in "The Triumph of Death" adds a layer of sophistication to the poem. The strict fourteen-line form, combined with the alternating rhyme scheme, reflects the poet's mastery of traditional poetic conventions. This structure, characteristic of Shakespearean sonnets, allows for a concise yet impactful exploration of the theme, emphasizing the brevity of life and the eternity of death.
Returning to "Funeral Blues," the modernity of the language and the relatability of the themes make it a more accessible piece for contemporary readers. The mention of a "phone" in the poem introduces an element of the present-day, subtly reminding readers of the universality of grief across different eras. The poem's emphasis on feelings, metaphors, and tangible objects like a "jug" contributes to a rich and relatable tapestry of emotions, allowing readers to connect with the narrator's experience on a personal level.
In conclusion, "Funeral Blues" and "The Triumph of Death" offer distinct perspectives on the inevitable theme of death. While Auden's poem delves into the profound grief and sorrow associated with the loss of a loved one, Shakespeare's piece provides a more optimistic outlook, celebrating the idea of a peaceful afterlife. Both poems, though divergent in their approaches, serve as timeless reflections on the complexities of human emotions in the face of mortality.
The Funeral Blues: A Heartfelt Exploration of Loss. (2020, Jun 02). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/funeral-blues-triumph-death-new-essay
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