In Memoriam A. H. H. OBIIT MDCCCXXXIII: 27
I envy not in any moods
The captive void of noble rage,
The linnet born within the cage,
That never knew the summer woods:I envy not the beast that takes
His license in the field of time,
Unfettered by the sense of crime,
To whom a conscience never wakes;Nor, what may count itself as blest,
The heart that never plighted troth
But stagnates in the weeds of sloth;
Nor any want-begotten rest.I hold it true, whate’er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
’Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
Summary of In Memoriam A. H. H.
- Popularity of “In Memoriam A. H. H.”: Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “In Memoriam A. H. H.” is a profoundly moving elegy, a collection of 133 cantos written over several years following the untimely death of his close friend, Arthur Henry Hallam, in 1833. This particular canto, number 27, is perhaps the most famous, encapsulating a central theme of the entire work. The poem explores grief, acceptance, and the value of experience—even painful experience—in shaping a meaningful life.
- “In Memoriam A. H. H.” As a Representative of Human Nature: This canto presents a series of contrasting states of being. The speaker begins by declaring what he doesn’t envy: the unfulfilled rage of a captive, the limited existence of a caged bird, or the unburdened existence of a beast lacking conscience. These are states of incompleteness, lacking the full spectrum of human emotion. The speaker then contrasts these with a heart untouched by love, stagnating in apathy. Ultimately, through these comparisons, Tennyson arrives at a powerful affirmation: even sorrow born of love is preferable to a life devoid of emotional engagement. The poem highlights that it is better to fully experience life, with all its joy and pain, than to remain emotionally detached.
- Major Themes in “In Memoriam A. H. H” Sorrow, love, loss, and the acceptance of life’s complexities are central to this canto. Tennyson grapples with the pain of Hallam’s death, but does not succumb to despair. Instead, he articulates a philosophy of embracing experience, even the most painful. The poem suggests that love, even when followed by loss, is a defining human experience, and that the capacity to love is what truly makes us human. The speaker finds solace not in escaping sorrow, but in recognizing the value of having loved deeply in the first place.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “In Memoriam A. H. H”
Tennyson masterfully employs literary devices to enrich the meaning and emotional impact of this canto. These techniques allow him to convey complex ideas with clarity and nuance.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds creates a musicality and emphasizes certain words. For example, the repeated short “i” sound in “I envy not in any moods” draws attention to the speaker’s initial declaration.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, such as the “b” in “But stagnates,” adds to the poem’s musicality and creates a subtle emphasis.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within words, such as the “th” sound in “The heart that never plighted troth,” creates a sense of connection and reinforces the poem’s themes.
- Anaphora: The repetition of “I envy not” at the beginning of consecutive lines emphasizes the speaker’s rejection of certain states of being and prepares the reader for his eventual affirmation. This creates a deliberate rhetorical effect, highlighting the qualities he values in life.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a thought from one line to the next, such as between “’Tis better to have loved and lost” and “Than never to have loved at all,” creates a sense of momentum and emphasizes the connection between these two ideas. This technique encourages the reader to consider the entirety of the sentiment, rather than pausing at the end of each line.
- Imagery: Tennyson uses vivid imagery to create a sensory experience for the reader. “The captive void of noble rage” evokes a powerful image of frustrated potential, while “stagnates in the weeds of sloth” creates a sense of decay and apathy.
- Symbolism: The caged bird and the unfeeling beast act as symbols of incomplete existence, representing states of being lacking the emotional depth that defines human experience. They embody lives untouched by the full range of human emotion.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “In Memoriam A. H. H”
In addition to literary devices, Tennyson utilizes specific poetic techniques to enhance the poem’s aesthetic and emotional impact.
- End Rhyme: The poem uses a varied rhyme scheme, with many stanzas unrhymed, which creates a sense of musicality and cohesion, contributing to the poem’s overall flow and memorability.
- Quatrain: The use of quatrains (four-line stanzas) provides a structured framework for the poem, allowing Tennyson to develop his ideas in a concise and organized manner.
- Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme varies, with some stanzas featuring internal and end rhyme that subtly reinforces the contrasting ideas presented within each stanza. The mirroring of rhyme sounds suggests a balance between opposing states of being.
- Stanza: The structured use of stanzas helps to organize the speaker’s thoughts, moving from descriptions of what he doesn’t value to the ultimate affirmation of love’s importance.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are particularly resonant when discussing themes of freedom, emotional depth, and the value of lived experience.
“The captive void of noble rage,
The linnet born within the cage,
That never knew the summer woods.”
And, perhaps most famously:
“’Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.”