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.
Understanding “In Memoriam A. H. H. OBIIT MDCCCXXXIII: 27”
Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “In Memoriam A. H. H. OBIIT MDCCCXXXIII: 27” stands as a powerful testament to the human capacity for love, grief, and profound resilience. This particular canto, a mere sixteen lines, encapsulates a central philosophical argument of Tennyson’s monumental elegy, “In Memoriam A. H. H.”, a work composed over many years following the sudden death of his beloved friend, Arthur Henry Hallam, in 1833.
A Glimpse into Grief and Growth: What the Poem is About
At its core, “In Memoriam A. H. H. OBIIT MDCCCXXXIII: 27” explores the speaker’s considered rejection of emotional detachment in favor of a life lived with deep feeling, even if that life includes immense sorrow. The poem begins by listing various states of being that the speaker explicitly does not envy. These are existences characterized by a lack of awareness, a confinement, or an absence of profound emotional or moral engagement. The speaker presents images of limited experience, unburdened ignorance, and stagnant apathy.
The central idea of “In Memoriam A. H. H. OBIIT MDCCCXXXIII: 27” culminates in one of the most famous lines in English poetry: the assertion that the pain of loss is a worthwhile consequence of having loved deeply. This canto argues that the capacity to love, to form meaningful bonds, and to experience the full spectrum of human emotion—including sorrow—is what truly enriches life. It is a profound statement on the value of experience, even painful experience, in shaping a meaningful existence.
Why Canto 27 Resonates: Noteworthy Insights
This canto, number 27 in the larger “In Memoriam” sequence, has achieved widespread recognition due to its universal theme and memorable concluding lines. It offers solace and perspective to anyone grappling with loss, suggesting that the very act of loving imbues life with an irreplaceable value, irrespective of its eventual outcome. The poem transcends its specific context of personal grief to speak to the broader human condition, affirming the courage required to open one’s heart to both joy and sorrow. Its enduring popularity lies in its eloquent articulation of a truth many instinctively feel: that a life rich in emotional connection, even one marked by heartbreak, is profoundly superior to a life devoid of such depth.
In-Depth Analysis of “In Memoriam A. H. H. OBIIT MDCCCXXXIII: 27”
The poem’s structure and progression of thought are meticulously crafted to lead the reader to its powerful conclusion. Tennyson employs a series of vivid contrasts to build his argument, moving from what he rejects to what he ultimately affirms.
The Speaker’s Declarations: Rejecting Emotional Void
The first three stanzas of “In Memoriam A. H. H. OBIIT MDCCCXXXIII: 27” are dedicated to articulating what the speaker does not envy. Each example represents a state of being that, while perhaps free from suffering, is also devoid of essential human experience or potential.
The Confined Spirit: The poem opens with the image of a “captive void of noble rage” and “The linnet born within the cage, That never knew the summer woods.” Here, the speaker rejects a life of confinement and unfulfilled potential. The “noble rage” suggests a capacity for righteous indignation or passionate engagement that is stifled. The caged linnet, a small songbird, symbolizes an existence limited by circumstance, never having experienced the freedom and beauty of its natural environment, the “summer woods.” This represents a life untouched by the vastness of experience.
The Unburdened Beast: The second stanza moves to a different kind of unfeeling existence:
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;This “beast” embodies an existence free from moral responsibility or the burden of conscience. It lives purely by instinct, taking its “license” without consequence. While such a life might seem carefree, the speaker finds it unenviable because it lacks the moral and ethical dimensions that define human experience. The absence of a “sense of crime” and a waking “conscience” signifies a profound lack of self-awareness and moral depth.
The Stagnant Heart: The third stanza addresses emotional apathy and uncommitted love:
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.Here, the speaker rejects a heart that has never “plighted troth,” meaning it has never made a solemn promise or committed to love. Such a heart, though perhaps spared the pain of heartbreak, “stagnates in the weeds of sloth.” This vivid imagery suggests decay, inactivity, and a life choked by apathy. The “want-begotten rest” refers to a peace born of lacking desire or emotional engagement, a peace the speaker deems hollow and undesirable.
The Profound Affirmation: Embracing Love and Loss
The final stanza marks a pivotal shift, moving from negation to powerful affirmation. It is here that the poem delivers its enduring message:
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.
The speaker declares this truth to be constant, “whate’er befall,” and profoundly felt even in the depths of his greatest sorrow. This acknowledgment of pain is crucial; the speaker does not deny the agony of loss but rather integrates it into a larger understanding of life’s value. The concluding couplet, universally recognized, asserts that the experience of love, even when it leads to the profound pain of loss, is fundamentally superior to a life devoid of such emotional connection. It champions the courage to engage fully with life, accepting both its joys and its inevitable sorrows, as the path to true human fulfillment.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “In Memoriam A. H. H. OBIIT MDCCCXXXIII: 27”
Tennyson’s masterful use of literary and poetic devices significantly enhances the emotional impact and intellectual depth of “In Memoriam A. H. H. OBIIT MDCCCXXXIII: 27”. These techniques contribute to its musicality, clarity, and enduring power.
Structure and Form: The In Memoriam Stanza
Quatrain and Rhyme Scheme: The poem is composed of four quatrains, or four-line stanzas. Each stanza follows a consistent ABBA rhyme scheme, a hallmark of the entire “In Memoriam” sequence. For example, in the first stanza: “moods” (A) rhymes with “woods” (A), and “rage” (B) rhymes with “cage” (B). This specific rhyme scheme, combined with a generally iambic tetrameter rhythm, creates a sense of solemnity, balance, and reflective musicality. It allows for a contained development of thought within each stanza while maintaining a cohesive flow throughout the poem.
Sound Devices: Enhancing Musicality and Emphasis
Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds adds to the poem’s musicality and emphasizes certain phrases. Examples include “noble rage,” “summer woods,” “sense of crime,” and “stagnates in the weeds of sloth.” This device subtly draws attention to key concepts and creates a pleasing auditory effect.
Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words creates internal rhythm and sonic richness. Notice the short “i” sound in “linnet born within the cage” or the long “o” in “noble.” Assonance contributes to the poem’s overall melodic quality.
Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words, such as the “t” sound in “captive void of noble rage” or the “th” sound in “heart that never plighted troth,” creates a sense of cohesion and reinforces the poem’s sonic texture.
Figurative Language: Crafting Vivid Meaning
Imagery: Tennyson employs vivid imagery to create sensory experiences and concrete representations of abstract ideas. “The linnet born within the cage” and “the summer woods” evoke clear visual pictures of confinement versus freedom. “Stagnates in the weeds of sloth” creates a powerful image of decay and inaction, appealing to both sight and a sense of stagnation.
Symbolism: Several elements function as symbols within the poem. The “caged linnet” symbolizes a life of limited experience and unfulfilled potential. The “beast” represents an existence devoid of moral consciousness and deeper human feeling. The “weeds of sloth” symbolize the destructive power of apathy and emotional inaction, choking the vitality of the heart.
Rhetorical Devices: Guiding the Reader’s Thought
Anaphora: The repetition of “I envy not” at the beginning of the first, second, and third stanzas is a powerful rhetorical device. This anaphora builds a strong sense of rejection, emphasizing the speaker’s firm stance against these unenviable states and preparing the reader for the ultimate affirmation that follows.
Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, such as “The beast that takes / His license in the field of time,” creates a sense of flow and urgency. It encourages the reader to move swiftly between lines, connecting ideas and emphasizing the continuous nature of the thought. The enjambment in the final lines, “’Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all,” powerfully links the two halves of the famous statement, making the connection between love and loss inseparable.
Juxtaposition and Contrast: The entire poem is built upon a fundamental juxtaposition between different states of being. The speaker contrasts the confined, unconscious, and apathetic existences with the profound value of a life that embraces love and its accompanying sorrow. This contrast is essential to the poem’s argument, highlighting the superiority of emotional engagement over detachment.
The Enduring Message of Canto 27
“In Memoriam A. H. H. OBIIT MDCCCXXXIII: 27” remains a cornerstone of English poetry, offering a timeless reflection on the human condition. Through its carefully chosen words and masterful deployment of literary and poetic devices, Tennyson crafts an argument for the profound significance of love, even in the face of inevitable loss. The poem teaches that true richness in life comes not from avoiding pain, but from the courage to open one’s heart fully, to experience the depths of emotion, and to find meaning in both joy and sorrow. It is a powerful reminder that the capacity to love, to connect, and to feel deeply is perhaps our greatest human gift.