Sir Walter Raleigh’s “On The Life of Man” stands as a profound and enduring meditation on human existence. This concise yet powerful poem invites contemplation on life’s fleeting nature, its inherent theatricality, and the ultimate certainty of death. Through masterful use of an extended metaphor, Raleigh crafts an unforgettable perspective on the human condition, making it a timeless piece for reflection and study.
On The Life of Man
by Sir Walter Raleigh
What is our life? a play of passion,
Our mirth is the music of division,
Our mother’s wombs are the tiring houses be,
When we are dressed for this short comedy,
Heaven, the judicious sharp spectator is,
That sits and marks still who doth act amiss,
Our graves that hide us from the searching sun,
Are like drawn curtains when the play is done,
Thus we march playing toward our final rest,
Only we die in earnest, that is no jest.
Understanding “On The Life of Man”
“On The Life of Man” is a succinct yet deeply philosophical poem that explores the transient nature of human life. Sir Walter Raleigh employs a central, pervasive metaphor comparing life to a theatrical performance. From birth to death, every aspect of human experience is framed within the context of a play, complete with a stage, actors, costumes, an audience, and an inevitable final curtain.
Central Idea of the Poem
The poem’s central idea posits that human life is a brief, dramatic performance, ultimately insignificant in its duration, yet profoundly real in its conclusion. Raleigh suggests that individuals “play” their roles throughout life, with their joys and sorrows serving as mere embellishments to a larger, divinely observed drama. The ultimate truth, however, lies in death, which is presented as the only unfeigned, earnest act in this otherwise theatrical existence.
Noteworthy Aspects for Readers
- Universal Theme: The poem addresses the universal human experience of mortality, making it relatable across cultures and time periods.
- Extended Metaphor: The consistent application of the life-as-a-play metaphor provides a clear and compelling framework for understanding Raleigh’s message.
- Conciseness and Impact: Despite its brevity, the poem delivers a powerful philosophical statement, demonstrating how few words can convey profound meaning.
- Contrasting Ideas: Raleigh skillfully contrasts the artificiality of life’s “play” with the stark reality and earnestness of death.
In-Depth Analysis of “On The Life of Man”
Raleigh’s poem unfolds with remarkable precision, each line contributing to the overarching theatrical metaphor and its philosophical implications.
Life as a Theatrical Performance
The poem immediately establishes its core metaphor with a rhetorical question and a direct comparison:
“What is our life? a play of passion,”
This opening line invites readers to consider life not as an authentic, spontaneous experience, but as a scripted drama. The word “passion” here carries a dual meaning. It refers to intense emotion, suggesting that human lives are filled with dramatic highs and lows. However, in a theatrical context, “passion” can also denote a dramatic performance or even suffering, aligning with the idea of life as a pre-ordained role that must be acted out.
The Music of Existence and Preparation for the Stage
Raleigh continues to build the theatrical setting, describing the nature of human joy and the very beginning of life:
“Our mirth is the music of division,
Our mother’s wombs are the tiring houses be,
When we are dressed for this short comedy,”
The phrase “music of division” is particularly insightful. In Elizabethan music, a “division” was a rapid, ornamental passage or variation on a melody. Thus, human “mirth” or joy is not a sustained, harmonious tune, but rather a fleeting, perhaps even discordant, embellishment within the larger, more serious composition of life. It suggests that joy is intricate, transient, and perhaps even a distraction from the underlying reality. The “tiring houses” refer to the dressing rooms backstage where actors prepare and don their costumes. By comparing “Our mother’s wombs” to these tiring houses, Raleigh suggests that human beings are prepared for their roles in life even before birth, implying a predetermined existence. Life itself is termed a “short comedy,” highlighting its brevity and perhaps its often absurd or ironic elements, despite its serious undertones.
The Divine Spectator
The poem introduces an omnipresent observer, adding a layer of moral accountability to the human performance:
“Heaven, the judicious sharp spectator is,
That sits and marks still who doth act amiss,”
“Heaven” represents God or a divine power, portrayed as a “judicious sharp spectator.” “Judicious” implies wisdom, fairness, and discernment, suggesting a just observer. “Sharp” indicates keen, attentive, and perhaps critical observation. This divine audience “marks still,” meaning continually observes, “who doth act amiss,” or who performs their role incorrectly or immorally. This imagery imbues life with a sense of divine scrutiny, suggesting that human actions are constantly being judged, adding gravity to each individual’s “performance.”
The Final Curtain of Life
The poem moves towards its inevitable conclusion, drawing a powerful parallel between death and the end of a play:
“Our graves that hide us from the searching sun,
Are like drawn curtains when the play is done,”
Graves are depicted as places that “hide us from the searching sun.” The “searching sun” can symbolize life itself, truth, or even the continued divine observation. Death, then, offers a final concealment from all earthly and perhaps even heavenly scrutiny. The comparison of graves to “drawn curtains” is profoundly effective. Just as the curtains closing signify the definitive end of a theatrical performance, death marks the absolute conclusion of an individual’s life “play.” This image conveys finality, silence, and the cessation of all action.
The Earnestness of Death
Raleigh concludes the poem by emphasizing the singular reality of death, contrasting it sharply with life’s theatricality:
“Thus we march playing toward our final rest,
Only we die in earnest, that is no jest.”
The phrase “march playing” reinforces the idea of life as a continuous, directed performance towards an unavoidable end, a “final rest.” The concluding lines deliver the poem’s most poignant message. While life is a “play” or a “comedy,” full of feigned emotions and roles, death is the one event that is faced with absolute sincerity and gravity. “Only we die in earnest” highlights that death is the ultimate, unfeigned reality, devoid of pretense or performance. It is “no jest,” meaning it is not a joke, a game, or a trivial matter, but the most serious and undeniable aspect of human existence. This powerful contrast underscores the profound truth that despite life’s theatrical nature, its end is unequivocally real.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “On The Life of Man”
Sir Walter Raleigh masterfully employs several literary and poetic devices to enhance the poem’s meaning, impact, and aesthetic appeal.
Extended Metaphor
The most prominent device is the
Imagery
Raleigh uses vivid
Rhetorical Question
The poem opens with a
“What is our life? a play of passion,”
This question is not meant to be answered literally but serves to immediately engage the reader and introduce the poem’s central metaphor and theme. It prompts contemplation rather than demanding a direct response.
Alliteration and Assonance
Subtle use of
- Alliteration: “mirth is the music” (line 2), “sharp spectator” (line 5), “searching sun” (line 7).
- Assonance: “Heaven, the judicious sharp spectator is” (line 5), “sits and marks still who doth act amiss” (line 6).
These devices create a pleasing rhythm and subtly emphasize certain words, enhancing the poem’s memorability.
Rhyme Scheme and Structure
The poem follows a consistent ABAB CDCD EE
- passion (A)
- division (B)
- be (A)
- comedy (B)
This regular
Irony
There is a subtle
Conclusion
“On The Life of Man” by Sir Walter Raleigh remains a powerful and enduring piece of literature. Its concise form belies a profound philosophical depth, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of their own existence. Through the brilliant extended metaphor of life as a play, Raleigh illuminates the transient, performative aspects of human experience, culminating in the undeniable reality of death. The poem’s masterful use of literary devices, from vivid imagery to subtle alliteration, ensures its lasting impact and continues to resonate with anyone contemplating the brevity and ultimate earnestness of life.