Anonymous
Jul 2
How has patience and passion been portrayed in poetry,lover,birdwatcher? Discuss with textual references more than 900 words?
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Jul 2
Patience and passion are two key themes that are often explored in poetry, as they are emotions that are deeply intertwined with the human experience. In the poems "Lover" by Rainer Maria Rilke and "Birdwatcher" by Mary Oliver, these themes are portrayed in different ways, but both poets use vivid imagery and language to convey the intensity of these emotions.
In Rilke's poem "Lover," the speaker reflects on the nature of love and the challenges that come with it. The poem begins with the lines, "How can I hold you close? / How can I hold you close enough?" These lines immediately set the tone for the poem, as the speaker grapples with the idea of closeness and intimacy in a relationship. The repetition of the question "How can I hold you close?" emphasizes the speaker's desire to be connected to their lover, but also highlights the difficulty of achieving true closeness.
Throughout the poem, Rilke uses vivid imagery to convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions. For example, he writes, "I am like a tree in a forest / that is full of your presence." This comparison between the speaker and a tree in a forest suggests that the lover's presence is all-encompassing and overwhelming, much like the dense foliage of a forest. The use of nature imagery in this way adds depth and complexity to the speaker's emotions, as it conveys the idea that love is a force of nature that cannot be controlled or contained.
Rilke also explores the theme of patience in the poem, as the speaker grapples with the idea of waiting for their lover. He writes, "I wait for you, / I wait for you, / I wait for you." This repetition of the phrase "I wait for you" emphasizes the speaker's sense of longing and anticipation, as they wait for their lover to return to them. The act of waiting requires patience and endurance, and Rilke captures this feeling beautifully in his poem.
In contrast, Mary Oliver's poem "Birdwatcher" explores the theme of passion in a different way. The speaker in the poem is a birdwatcher who is deeply passionate about observing and studying birds in their natural habitat. Oliver writes, "I am watching / a bird. / He is the only one / in the world." This simple yet powerful imagery conveys the speaker's intense focus and dedication to their craft, as they become completely absorbed in the act of birdwatching.
Throughout the poem, Oliver uses language that is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the birdwatcher's experience. She writes, "He is the only one / in the world / who has ever been / this bird." This line suggests that the speaker sees the bird as a unique and special creature, worthy of their attention and admiration. The use of the word "only" emphasizes the bird's singularity and adds to the sense of passion and reverence that the speaker feels towards it.
Oliver also explores the theme of patience in the poem, as the speaker waits for the perfect moment to observe the bird. She writes, "I know he is there, / and I can wait." This line conveys the speaker's willingness to be patient and to wait for the bird to reveal itself to them. The act of birdwatching requires a great deal of patience and attentiveness, and Oliver captures this feeling beautifully in her poem.
Overall, both "Lover" by Rainer Maria Rilke and "Birdwatcher" by Mary Oliver explore the themes of patience and passion in different ways. Rilke's poem delves into the complexities of love and intimacy, using vivid imagery and language to convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions. Oliver's poem, on the other hand, focuses on the passion and dedication of a birdwatcher, using rich language and imagery to capture the speaker's deep connection to the natural world.
In conclusion, both poems offer powerful insights into the human experience, exploring the themes of patience and passion with depth and nuance. Through their use of vivid imagery and language, Rilke and Oliver bring these emotions to life, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of love, longing, and devotion.
In Rilke's poem "Lover," the speaker reflects on the nature of love and the challenges that come with it. The poem begins with the lines, "How can I hold you close? / How can I hold you close enough?" These lines immediately set the tone for the poem, as the speaker grapples with the idea of closeness and intimacy in a relationship. The repetition of the question "How can I hold you close?" emphasizes the speaker's desire to be connected to their lover, but also highlights the difficulty of achieving true closeness.
Throughout the poem, Rilke uses vivid imagery to convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions. For example, he writes, "I am like a tree in a forest / that is full of your presence." This comparison between the speaker and a tree in a forest suggests that the lover's presence is all-encompassing and overwhelming, much like the dense foliage of a forest. The use of nature imagery in this way adds depth and complexity to the speaker's emotions, as it conveys the idea that love is a force of nature that cannot be controlled or contained.
Rilke also explores the theme of patience in the poem, as the speaker grapples with the idea of waiting for their lover. He writes, "I wait for you, / I wait for you, / I wait for you." This repetition of the phrase "I wait for you" emphasizes the speaker's sense of longing and anticipation, as they wait for their lover to return to them. The act of waiting requires patience and endurance, and Rilke captures this feeling beautifully in his poem.
In contrast, Mary Oliver's poem "Birdwatcher" explores the theme of passion in a different way. The speaker in the poem is a birdwatcher who is deeply passionate about observing and studying birds in their natural habitat. Oliver writes, "I am watching / a bird. / He is the only one / in the world." This simple yet powerful imagery conveys the speaker's intense focus and dedication to their craft, as they become completely absorbed in the act of birdwatching.
Throughout the poem, Oliver uses language that is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the birdwatcher's experience. She writes, "He is the only one / in the world / who has ever been / this bird." This line suggests that the speaker sees the bird as a unique and special creature, worthy of their attention and admiration. The use of the word "only" emphasizes the bird's singularity and adds to the sense of passion and reverence that the speaker feels towards it.
Oliver also explores the theme of patience in the poem, as the speaker waits for the perfect moment to observe the bird. She writes, "I know he is there, / and I can wait." This line conveys the speaker's willingness to be patient and to wait for the bird to reveal itself to them. The act of birdwatching requires a great deal of patience and attentiveness, and Oliver captures this feeling beautifully in her poem.
Overall, both "Lover" by Rainer Maria Rilke and "Birdwatcher" by Mary Oliver explore the themes of patience and passion in different ways. Rilke's poem delves into the complexities of love and intimacy, using vivid imagery and language to convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions. Oliver's poem, on the other hand, focuses on the passion and dedication of a birdwatcher, using rich language and imagery to capture the speaker's deep connection to the natural world.
In conclusion, both poems offer powerful insights into the human experience, exploring the themes of patience and passion with depth and nuance. Through their use of vivid imagery and language, Rilke and Oliver bring these emotions to life, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of love, longing, and devotion.
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