On The Sea
By John Keats
It keeps eternal whisperings around
Desolate shores, and with its mighty swell
Gluts twice ten thousand Caverns, till the spell
Of Hecate leaves them their old shadowy sound.
Often ‘tis in such gentle temper found,
That scarcely will the very smallest shell
Be moved for days from where it sometime fell,
When last the winds of Heaven were unbound.
Oh, ye! who have your eyeballs vexed and tired,
Feast them upon the wideness of the Sea;
Oh ye! whose ears are dinned with uproar rude,
Or fed too much with cloying melody—
Sit ye near some old Cavern’s Mouth and brood,
Until ye start, as if the sea nymphs quired!
Summary of “On the Sea”
- Background: The poem “On the Sea” is often attributed to John Keats, but it appears to be a modern creation rather than an authentic work of the Romantic poet. It presents the sea as a soothing presence for those troubled by life.
- Peaceful Imagery: The poem portrays the sea as a calm refuge. The speaker describes the continuous murmuring along lonely shores, the powerful tides filling caverns, and the gentle moments when even the smallest shell remains undisturbed. The tone shifts to directly address those weary of everyday troubles, inviting them to find renewal in the vastness of the sea.
- Central Themes: The poem explores how nature can understand and respond to human needs, offering a sanctuary from noise and stress. It suggests that the sea’s vastness, mystery, and tranquility can soothe troubled minds and inspire the imagination.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “On the Sea”
Literary devices enrich a poem by adding layers of meaning and musicality. Keats (or the modern author) uses several such devices in “On the Sea.”
- Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds creates a musical quality. For example, the /e/ sound in “Be moved for days from where it sometime fell” and the /o/ sound in “Oh, ye! who have your eyeballs vexed and tired” draw the reader into the poem’s rhythm.
- Consonance: Repetition of consonant sounds enhances the poem’s auditory texture. The repeated /t/ in “Of Hecate leaves them their old shadowy sound” and the /r/ in “Oh ye! whose ears are dinned with uproar rude” give emphasis and a sense of connection.
- Enjambment: Lines flow into one another without punctuation, mirroring the sea’s continuous motion. The passage:
- Imagery: Vivid sensory details immerse the reader. Phrases such as “Oh, ye! who have your eyeballs vexed and tired,” “Feast them upon the wideness of the Sea,” and “Of Hecate leaves them their old shadowy sound” create strong visual and auditory impressions.
- Metaphor: The poem extends the idea that nature heals, portraying the sea as a source of solace and rejuvenation that alleviates mental and emotional distress.
- Personification: Human qualities are given to inanimate elements. For instance, the eyes are described as weary, linking the human experience to the natural world.
- Symbolism: The sea represents peace, tranquility, and the healing power of nature. The “shadowy sound” in the caverns may symbolize hidden depths of the subconscious mind.
It keeps eternal whisperings around
Desolate shores, and with its mighty swell
Gluts twice ten thousand Caverns, till the spell
Of Hecate leaves them their old shadowy sound.
illustrates how the poem’s meaning stretches beyond a single line.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “On the Sea”
Poetic devices focus on rhythm, sound, and structure in poetry.
- Diction: The language is descriptive and lyrical, enhancing the poem’s beauty and impact.
- End Rhyme: Words at the ends of lines form rhyming pairs. In the octave, the pairs are “swell/spell” and “sound/found.” In the sestet, the rhyme pattern shifts.
- Structure: The poem has 14 lines, a typical length for a sonnet, but it does not follow the strict Petrarchan form. The rhyme scheme is irregular rather than ABBAABBA CDEDEC.
- Stanza: The poem is divided into two stanzas: an octave of eight lines and a sestet of six lines.
- Tone: The tone begins descriptively and shifts to a more suggestive, advisory register in the sestet, as the speaker addresses those in distress.
Quotes to be Used
These lines effectively praise the restorative power of nature:
It keeps eternal whisperings around
Desolate shores, and with its mighty swell
Gluts twice ten thousand caverns, till the spell
Of Hecate leaves them their old shadowy sound.
They evoke the timeless awe of the sea, suggesting that its influence reaches beyond the physical realm.