Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Earthly Paradise" is a poem by William Morris that was first published in 1868.

Explanation:

 "Earthly Paradise" tells the story of a group of medieval adventurers who leave their homeland in search of the mythical Earthly Paradise, a place where the cycle of the seasons does not exist and the beauty of the natural world is eternal. They sail through various dangers and eventually find their way to an idyllic island, where they discover the Earthly Paradise. However, they soon realize that their quest has been in vain, as they are unable to stay in paradise and are forced to leave.

The poem can be interpreted as a commentary on the human desire for perfection and the futility of pursuing an unattainable ideal. Morris emphasizes the theme of impermanence throughout the poem, with the adventurers' journey serving as a metaphor for the transience of human life and the inevitability of death.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with each stanza consisting of two lines.
• Meter: The meter varies throughout the poem, with some stanzas in iambic pentameter and others in trochaic tetrameter.
• Imagery: Morris uses vivid imagery to evoke the beauty of the natural world and the danger and excitement of the adventurers' journey.

Summary:

 "Earthly Paradise" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of mortality, the human desire for perfection, and the futility of pursuing an unattainable ideal. Morris's use of vivid imagery and varied meter contribute to the poem's powerful emotional impact.