Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

 Dora Greenwell’s "Battle Flag of Sigurd" presents a stirring portrait of steadfastness and sacrifice through the voice of a warrior who, while not a traditional hero of battle, has nonetheless played a vital and enduring role in the conflict. The speaker’s loyalty and devotion to their duty are symbolized by their unwavering act of holding up the battle flag, even as others around them engage in combat or achieve glory. Greenwell skillfully uses this image of the flag to explore themes of perseverance, honor, and the sometimes overlooked contributions of those who may not garner accolades but who remain true to their mission until the end.

The poem opens with the speaker reflecting on their life and the tasks they were never given: "I have no folded flock to show, / Though from my youth I have loved the sheep." The speaker expresses a sense of loss or regret, noting that, despite their love for the peaceful, pastoral life of tending sheep, they were never entrusted with such a task. This imagery of sheep and lambs, which evoke innocence and care, contrasts sharply with the harshness of battle that follows. The speaker';s connection to the natural, peaceful world makes their role as a flag-bearer in war all the more poignant, as it emphasizes the harsh reality they face compared to the life they might have desired.

As the poem progresses, the speaker recounts the arrival of the enemy: "I stood on the hill when the dawn brake red, / Through the darkling glen the foe drew nigh." The dawn breaking red—a symbol of impending violence—sets the stage for the battle to come. Despite the chaos and danger, the speaker takes on a crucial role: they give "the earliest warning cry," signaling the approach of the foe. This early action demonstrates the speaker’s commitment to their duty, even though they are not actively fighting in the traditional sense. The image of the flashing falchion (a type of sword) and flying arrows captures the intensity of the conflict, yet the speaker’s role is clear: "I held up the flag the whole day through— / Wrap it round me when I die!" The flag becomes a symbol of their endurance and dedication, held aloft through the violence and bloodshed, even as they refrain from fighting directly.

Greenwell continues to emphasize the speaker’s steadfastness in the face of physical and emotional strain. They recall working "with the reapers, row by row," wielding their "shining sickle" alongside others, yet again, they were not present when "the land was shared." This suggests a life of labor and contribution that goes unrecognized or unrewarded. The speaker is part of the collective effort, but they do not receive the tangible rewards or recognition that others might. This lack of reward does not, however, diminish their sense of purpose or their willingness to bear the flag through the battle.

The speaker’s recounting of battle is grim: "At nightfall the raven';s foot was red, / And the wolves were met on the darkening plain." The imagery of ravens and wolves, often associated with death and war in Norse mythology, underscores the brutality of the battlefield. Yet, despite the carnage, the speaker';s role remains unchanged: they continue to hold the flag, even as it becomes "glued to [their] straining clasp with gore." The visceral image of the blood-soaked flag symbolizes the physical toll of the battle and the speaker’s sacrifice, but also their unbreakable resolve to fulfill their duty, even at great personal cost.

In the final stanza, the speaker reflects on the absence of material rewards: "I have no silken spoil to show, / No torque of the beaten gold, no red / Rich broidered mantle." These lines highlight the traditional markers of victory and heroism—the spoils of war, the gold torques, and the rich mantles typically awarded to warriors. The speaker, however, has none of these tokens of success or glory. Instead, they have "only watched, and toiled, and bled," underscoring the unglamorous, often overlooked nature of their contribution. The absence of material rewards further isolates the speaker from the traditional narrative of the victorious warrior, but it also elevates their moral and emotional triumph.

As the speaker stands "at eve on the vessel';s prow," they face the culmination of their journey. Their heart is "wounded," and they have "striven so long that [their] arm is weary now." This weariness reflects the long, unrelenting effort they have made, holding the flag aloft despite the many trials they have faced. The flag itself is now "stained and riven," damaged and worn from the battle, yet it remains a powerful symbol of the speaker’s endurance. The final image of the speaker, standing between "a sullen sea and a stormy sky," encapsulates their isolation and determination. The sea and sky, both dark and foreboding, reflect the speaker';s inner state, yet they still "hold up the flag in sight of all," a final act of defiance and honor.

The recurring refrain—"Wrap it round me when I die!"—adds a poignant, elegiac tone to the poem. The speaker knows their end is near and asks for the flag to be wrapped around them in death, signifying their unwavering loyalty to their duty. The flag, bloodied and worn, becomes both a shroud and a symbol of the speaker’s lifelong commitment to their cause. It is not the spoils of war, but the flag, that the speaker wishes to be remembered by, underscoring the poem’s central theme of sacrifice over glory.

In "Battle Flag of Sigurd," Greenwell offers a powerful reflection on the nature of duty, sacrifice, and the often-unrecognized contributions of those who stand firm in the face of adversity. The speaker’s quiet heroism, their willingness to hold the flag through the violence and chaos, speaks to the endurance of the human spirit, even when tangible rewards and recognition are absent. Through vivid imagery and a deeply emotional narrative, Greenwell paints a portrait of a warrior whose true victory lies not in spoils or accolades, but in the steadfastness of their heart and their unwavering commitment to their role.

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