NOT MARBLE, NOR THE GILDED MONUMENTS
(Sonnet 55)
Title: The phrase ‘ Not Marble,nor the Gilded Monuments’ though apparently incomplete spells out all that the poet wishes to convey through the poem. The coinage is self explanatory and it brings out the futility of statues and monuments highlighting the essentiality of leading exemplary lives to leave behind an indelible impression on humanity. Hence the chosen title is an apt one.
Theme: The sonnet, ‘ Not Marble , nor the Gilded Monuments’ brings out the futility of statutes and ornate monuments raised by the rich and the powerful to immortalize themselves. The ravages of time on these monuments defeat the very purpose of building them and rob their architects of the pleasure of being remembered by the generations to come. The poem also brings out the poets faith in his verse and its ability to outlive the transient monuments.
Message: The poem conveys the message that the grweat and the noble souls leave an indelible impact on the fellow beings and they are remembered by the posterity for a long time to come . Monuments and statutes howsoever ornate and rich, fail to immortalize the rich and the powerful.
LITERARY DEVICES
Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of successive words( initial alliteration) and within words (internal alliteration)
Eg: You shall shine - Sh is repeated here Unswept Stone, besmeared with sluttish time -repetition of ‘s’ and ‘t’
When wasteful wars - ‘w’ sound is repeated
Repetition: Poets often repeat single word or phrases, lines and sometimes, even whole stanzas at intervals to create a musical effect; to emphasize a point; to draw the readers attention or to lead unity to a peace.
Eg: The repetition of Nor
The repetitive use of Shall
Epithet: An epithet is an adjective or adjectival phrase used to define the special quality of a person or thing. Eg: sluttish time the adjective sluttish emphasis the ensnaring and destructive quality of time. Unswept stone, Besmeared, Wasteful war , causing destruction, ending doom are other examples. Imagery: Imagery refers to the use of descriptive language that evokes sensory experience that can appeal to any of the five senses. The poem is replete with the images of life, war, death, decay and destruction Eg: the living record , Shall pace you forth, Your praise shall find room, wear this world out, all posterity, dwell in lovers eyes , besmeared with sluttish time, wasteful war shall statues overturn, Nor Mars his sword nor wars quick fire shall burn, death and all oblivious enmity, the ending doom. Allusion: Allusion means an indirect reference or suggestion. It is a figure of speech in which a passing but significant reference is made to a well known person, place or thing.
The poet makes reference to Mars, the Roman God of War(line7) and the biblical belief in the Day of the Juudgement(lines 12- 13)
Please click on below link to download CBSE Class 10 English Not Marble Nor The Gilded Monuments Worksheet Set A
