Death The Leveller
By James Shirley
The glories of our blood and state
Are shadows, not substantial things;
There is no armour against Fate;
Death lays his icy hand on kings:
Sceptre and Crown
Must tumble down,
And in the dust be equal made
With the poor crooked scythe and spade.Some men with swords may reap the field,
And plant fresh laurels where they kill:
But their strong nerves at last must yield;
They tame but one another still:
Early or late
They stoop to fate,
And must give up their murmuring breath
When they, pale captives, creep to death.The garlands wither on your brow,
Then boast no more your mighty deeds!
Upon Death’s purple altar now
See where the victor, victim bleeds.
Your heads must come
To the cold tomb:
Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in their dust.
Summary of Death The Leveller
James Shirley’s “Death The Leveller” is a powerful and concise meditation on the universality of death. The poem was published posthumously in 1659 as part of his play The Contention of Ajax and Ulysses for the Armour of Achilles. It transcends its dramatic origins to stand as a poignant philosophical statement, exploring the fleeting nature of earthly power, glory, and achievement. The poem asserts that death is the great equalizer, reducing all—kings and commoners alike—to the same fate. It also suggests that righteous deeds offer a form of lasting legacy, blossoming even in the face of mortality.
Central Idea & Noteworthy Points
At its heart, “Death The Leveller” argues that worldly distinctions are illusory. The central idea is that death disregards social status, wealth, and even strength, uniting all individuals in a shared destiny. It is a stark reminder of the transience of life and the vanity of earthly pursuits. A noteworthy aspect of the poem is its personification of death as a forceful, almost masculine figure, actively “laying his icy hand” upon all. This imagery reinforces the sense of death as an inescapable and powerful force.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Death The Leveller
Assonance & Consonance: Musicality and Emphasis
Shirley masterfully employs sound devices to enhance the poem’s impact. Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, creates a sense of flow and musicality. For example, the repetition of the short “i” sound in “icy hand on kings” subtly emphasizes the chilling power of death. Consonance, the repetition of consonant sounds, provides further texture. Consider the line “Sceptre and Crown / Must tumble down,” where the repeated “s” and “t” sounds create a percussive effect, mirroring the fall from power. These devices are not merely ornamental; they contribute to the poem’s overall tone and meaning.
Metaphor & Personification: Giving Death Form
The poem thrives on figurative language, particularly metaphor and personification. The “glories of our blood and state” are described as “shadows,” a powerful metaphor emphasizing their insubstantiality and fleeting nature. Death is personified as an active agent, “laying his icy hand on kings.” This personification transforms death from an abstract concept into a formidable, almost palpable force, suggesting that it is an active “leveller,” stripping away all distinctions.
Juxtaposition & Oxymoron: Contradictions and Irony
Shirley skillfully employs juxtaposition and oxymoron to highlight the poem’s central themes. The stark contrast between “kings” and the “poor crooked scythe and spade” emphasizes death’s great levelling power. Even the most powerful rulers are ultimately reduced to the same fate as the humblest laborers. The phrase “victor, victim” is a striking oxymoron, a combination of contradictory terms that suggests even those who achieve victory are ultimately subject to death, making them victims in a sense. This contradiction underscores the poem’s ironic message: there is no true triumph over death.
Imagery & Symbolism: Painting a Picture of Mortality
The poem is rich in evocative imagery. The “icy hand” of death is a chilling visual, conveying the coldness and finality of mortality. The “garlands wither on your brow” offers a poignant image of fading glory. These images create a vivid and memorable impression. Underlying the imagery is symbolism. The “sceptre and crown” symbolize earthly power and authority, ultimately rendered meaningless by death. The “dust” represents the ultimate fate of all humans, a return to the earth from which they came. The blooming “actions of the just” symbolize the enduring legacy of virtuous deeds.
Enjambment: Flow and Emphasis
Shirley uses enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next, to create a sense of flow and momentum. For example, consider the lines:
Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in their dust.
The thought is not completed at the end of the first line, drawing the reader forward and emphasizing the lasting power of good deeds. This technique prevents the poem from feeling choppy and reinforces its overall lyrical quality.
Analysis of Poetic Form and Structure
Rhyme Scheme and Stanza Structure
“Death The Leveller” follows a strict rhyme scheme of ABABCCDD within each of its three eight-line stanzas. This regular structure contributes to the poem’s musicality and creates a sense of order. The use of rhyming couplets at the end of each stanza provides satisfying closure and emphasizes key ideas. The consistent eight-line stanza structure reinforces this sense of order and control.
Diction and Tone
Shirley’s diction—his choice of words—is formal and elevated, befitting the serious subject matter. Words like “glories,” “substantial,” and “fate” lend a dignified tone to the poem. The overall tone is somber and reflective, conveying a sense of mortality and the transience of life. While the poem acknowledges the inevitability of death, it is not morbid or despairing. Rather, it offers a measured and philosophical perspective on the human condition.
Quotes for Teaching and Discussion
The following lines from “Death The Leveller” are particularly powerful and suitable for classroom discussion or analysis:
The glories of our blood and state
Are shadows, not substantial things;
This couplet encapsulates the poem’s central message about the fleeting nature of earthly power.
Upon Death’s purple altar now
See where the victor, victim bleeds.
This striking imagery highlights the ironic truth that even victors are ultimately subject to death.
Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in their dust.
This final couplet offers a message of hope, suggesting that virtuous deeds offer a form of lasting legacy.
By exploring these lines and the poem as a whole, students can gain a deeper understanding of its themes, literary devices, and enduring relevance.