In Memoriam Prologue
By Lord Alfred Tennyson
Strong Son of God, immortal Love,
Whom we, that have not seen thy face,
By faith, and faith alone, embrace, believing where we cannot prove;
Thine are these orbs of light and shade;
Thou madest Life in man and brute;
Thou madest Death; and lo, thy foot
Is on the skull which thou hast made.Thou wilt not leave us in the dust:
Thou madest man, he knows not why,
He thinks he was not made to die;
And thou hast made him: thou art just.Thou seemest human and divine,
The highest, holiest manhood, thou.
Our wills are ours, we know not how;
Our wills are ours, to make them thine.Our little systems have their day;
They have their day and cease to be:
They are but broken lights of thee,
And thou, O Lord, art more than they.We have but faith: we cannot know;
For knowledge is of things we see
And yet we trust it comes from thee,
A beam in darkness: let it grow.Let knowledge grow from more to more,
But more of reverence in us dwell;
That mind and soul, according well,
May make one music as before,But vaster. We are fools and slight;
We mock thee when we do not fear:
But help thy foolish ones to bear;
Help thy vain worlds to bear thy light.Forgive what seem’d my sin in me;
What seem’d my worth since I began;
For merit lives from man to man,
And not from man, O Lord, to thee.Forgive my grief for one removed,
Thy creature, whom I found so fair.
I trust he lives in thee, and there
I find him worthier to be loved.Forgive these wild and wandering cries,
Confusions of a wasted youth;
Forgive them where they fail in truth,
And in thy wisdom make me wise.
Summary of In Memoriam Prologue
- Context and Origin: “In Memoriam A.H.H.” is a deeply personal elegy written by Lord Alfred Tennyson in memory of his close friend Arthur Henry Hallam, who died unexpectedly in 1833. The full poem took over seventeen years to complete, and this prologue sets the tone for the entire work. It was not published in isolation but as the opening section of the larger elegy.
- The Central Idea: The prologue explores the complex relationship between faith, doubt, and the human condition in the face of loss. Tennyson grapples with the limits of human knowledge while affirming his belief in a divine power. He acknowledges human fallibility and seeks forgiveness, establishing a theme of humility that permeates the whole of “In Memoriam.”
- Key Themes Introduced: The poem lays the groundwork for central themes of faith and doubt, the struggle with grief, the search for meaning in death, and the reconciliation of human imperfection with divine justice. It is a deeply introspective piece that poses questions about the nature of existence and our place within it.
In-Depth Analysis of “In Memoriam Prologue”
The Power of Faith and the Limits of Knowledge
The prologue immediately establishes the importance of faith as a foundation for belief. The opening line, “Strong Son of God, immortal Love,” directly addresses a divine being, acknowledging a power beyond human comprehension. Tennyson emphasizes that belief is often held “By faith, and faith alone,” meaning it exists even when we cannot prove it. This is a crucial point. He is not advocating blind acceptance but recognizing that some truths transcend empirical evidence. The speaker acknowledges the limits of human understanding; we cannot definitively prove the existence of God, yet faith allows us to embrace the possibility. This sets the stage for a poem that explores the tension between reason and belief. Consider the lines:
We have but faith: we cannot know;
For knowledge is of things we see
Here, Tennyson defines knowledge as something based on observable evidence, while faith resides in the realm of the unseen. He does not dismiss knowledge but suggests it is insufficient to encompass all truths.
Human Imperfection and Divine Justice
Tennyson does not shy away from acknowledging human fallibility. The poem highlights the paradox of human existence, created by a just God yet prone to error and suffering. The lines, “Thou madest man, he knows not why,” and “He thinks he was not made to die,” reveal a sense of bewilderment and frustration with the human condition. However, the subsequent assertion, “And thou hast made him: thou art just,” reaffirms a belief in a benevolent and righteous God, even in the face of suffering. This creates a complex theological argument. The poet also requests forgiveness for his shortcomings, stating, “Forgive what seem’d my sin in me.” This admission of imperfection underscores the human struggle with morality and the need for divine grace.
The Fragility of Human Endeavor
Tennyson introduces the idea that human systems and achievements are temporary and ultimately insignificant compared to the eternal divine. The lines, “Our little systems have their day; / They have their day and cease to be,” emphasize the transient nature of earthly endeavors. He describes them as “broken lights of thee,” suggesting that human creations are merely imperfect reflections of divine perfection. This is not a condemnation of human achievement but a perspective that places it within a broader cosmic framework. The implication is that true meaning and lasting value reside in the divine, not in fleeting earthly pursuits.
The Role of Reverence and Growth
The poet advocates for a balance between knowledge and reverence. He desires “Let knowledge grow from more to more, / But more of reverence in us dwell.” This suggests that intellectual curiosity should be tempered with a sense of awe and humility before the divine. He envisions a harmonious integration of “mind and soul” that produces a “music” greater than the sum of its parts. The metaphor of music suggests a beautiful and transcendent unity that rises above individual limitations.
Acknowledging Grief and Seeking Wisdom
The prologue concludes with a plea for forgiveness, both for past transgressions and for the grief experienced after loss. The lines, “Forgive my grief for one removed,” reveal the depth of the poet’s sorrow and his struggle to reconcile with the death of his friend. He seeks not only forgiveness but also wisdom to navigate the complexities of life and death. This closing plea encapsulates the central themes of the prologue—the tension between faith and doubt, the acknowledgement of human imperfection, and the search for meaning in the face of loss.
Literary and Poetic Devices
Anaphora and Repetition
Tennyson masterfully uses anaphora, the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, to create emphasis and rhythm. For example, the repeated phrase “Thou madest” in the second stanza (“Thou madest Life in man and brute; / Thou madest Death”) underscores the power and creative force of the divine. Repetition in general contributes to the musicality and memorability of the poem.
Imagery and Symbolism
The prologue is rich in imagery and symbolism. Images of light and darkness (“orbs of light and shade”) represent the contrast between knowledge and mystery. The skull (“Is on the skull which thou hast made”) is a powerful symbol of mortality and the inevitability of death. These images create vivid sensory experiences and add layers of meaning to the poem.
Metaphor and Personification
Tennyson employs metaphor to create imaginative connections between seemingly disparate ideas. For instance, “broken lights of thee” compares human systems to dim reflections of divine perfection. He also uses personification, attributing human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. For example, implying that “systems” have a “day” and “cease to be,” bestowing them with a lifespan.
Rhyme Scheme and Meter
The prologue follows a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme within its quatrain stanzas. The meter is predominantly iambic tetrameter, creating a flowing, musical rhythm. This formal structure enhances the poem’s aesthetic appeal and contributes to its memorability.
Quotes for Reflection
These lines from “In Memoriam Prologue” are particularly poignant and offer valuable insight into the poem’s central themes:
We have but faith: we cannot know;
For knowledge is of things we see
This excerpt encapsulates the poem’s exploration of the limits of human knowledge and the importance of faith in navigating the mysteries of existence.