9695/22 February/March 2024 Shadows Are they shadows that we see? And can shadows pleasure give? Pleasures only shadows be Cast by bodies we conceive And are made the things we deem In those figures which they seem. But these pleasures vanish fast Which by shadows are expressed; Pleasures are not, if they last; In their passing is their best. Glory is most bright and gay2 In a flash, and so away. Feed apace then, greedy eyes, On the wonder you behold; Take it sudden as it flies, Though you take it not to hold. When your eyes have done their part, Thought must length it in the heart. 1deem: believe 2gay: joyful Discuss the presentation of pleasures in the following poem. In your answer, consider the writer’s choice of language, structure and poetic methods. What the question requires: This is a typical literary analysis prompt, and it requires you to: ✅ 1. Focus on the central theme — "pleasures": Identify how pleasure is portrayed in the poem (e.g., fleeting, illusory, joyful, deceptive). Look for specific references to pleasure in the text: how the speaker describes or reflects on it. ✅ 2. Explore the writer’s use of: 🔹 Language: Word choices (diction): e.g., "shadows," "flash," "greedy eyes" Imagery and symbolism: how these words create meaning or emotion. Figurative language: metaphors, similes, paradoxes (e.g., "pleasures are not, if they last"). 🔹 Structure: How the poem is organized: stanza length, progression of ideas, rhyme scheme. How this structure reflects the meaning (e.g., regular rhyme mimicking fleeting pleasures). 🔹 Poetic methods: Techniques such as: o Metaphor o Repetition o Rhyme and rhythm o Tone and voice o Contrast or juxtaposition ✅ 3. Analyse, don’t just describe: Explain how the language and methods help present the idea of pleasure. Go beyond spotting techniques—explore their effect and why the poet used them. ✅ 4. Use evidence from the text: Support your points with short, well-chosen quotations. Avoid long block quotes—integrate quotes into your analysis. ✅ 5. Maintain a clear structure: Introduction: Briefly state your main argument (e.g., "The poet presents pleasure as fleeting and insubstantial..."). Body paragraphs: Each should focus on one main point (e.g., metaphor, tone, rhyme). Conclusion: Summarize how the poem as a whole presents pleasure. 📝 Comment on Language in the Poem : The poet uses carefully selected metaphorical language to express the idea that pleasures are fleeting and insubstantial. One of the central metaphors in the poem is the comparison of pleasures to “shadows” “Pleasures only shadows be / Cast by bodies we conceive.” Here, “shadows” suggest that pleasures are intangible, temporary, and dependent on something else for their existence—much like shadows are cast by real objects but have no substance of their own. This implies that pleasure is not fully real or reliable, but rather a passing illusion. The poet also uses paradox to challenge our usual understanding of pleasure: “Pleasures are not, if they last; / In their passing is their best.” This striking statement suggests that pleasure is only truly pleasure when it is brief. If it lasts too long, it may lose its intensity or value. The contrast between “are” and “are not,” and between “last” and “passing,” creates a sense of tension and reflection, inviting the reader to reconsider how pleasure works. The use of imperatives in lines like: “Feed apace then, greedy eyes, / On the wonder you behold;” gives the poem an urgent, commanding tone, encouraging the reader to seize the moment. The phrase “greedy eyes” personifies the eyes, suggesting an intense desire to take in as much beauty or joy as possible before it disappears. Finally, in the closing lines: “When your eyes have done their part, / Thought must length it in the heart,” the language shifts from external to internal. “Eyes” are associated with physical, sensory pleasure, while “thought” and “heart” point toward emotional and intellectual memory. The poet suggests that while pleasure itself is short-lived, its emotional impact can be prolonged through reflection The line “Take it sudden as it flies, / Though you take it not to hold” contains a paradox. The act of "taking" typically suggests possession or control, yet the poet states that pleasure must be taken without the ability to hold it. This contradiction reinforces the central theme of the poem: that pleasure is momentary and intangible, and must be appreciated as it happens, without the expectation of permanence. The poet’s use of temporal words such as “vanish,” “flash,” and “away” acts like highlighters, emphasizing the transient and fleeting nature of pleasure. These words all relate to time and movement, suggesting that pleasure appears suddenly but quickly disappears. For example: “Vanish” suggests something disappearing completely and suddenly. “Flash” conveys a brief, bright moment that is over almost instantly. “Away” indicates movement or passing from presence to absence. Together, these words create a vivid sense of impermanence, reinforcing the poem’s message that pleasure is temporary and must be seized in the moment before it fades. Use of Rhetorical Questions in the Poem The poet uses rhetorical questions such as: "Are they shadows that we see? And can shadows pleasure give?" These questions engage the reader directly, prompting them to reflect on the true nature of pleasure rather than passively accept it. By not providing immediate answers, the poet forces the audience to contemplate whether the pleasures they pursue are genuine or merely illusions. This technique can serve two key purposes: Encouraging a Change in Perspective: The questions challenge readers to reconsider their understanding of pleasure, suggesting it may be less substantial and more fleeting than assumed. This invites a deeper philosophical reflection on what is truly valuable. Reminding of Life’s Difficulties: Alternatively, the questions could act as a reminder of life’s challenges and the elusive nature of happiness. They highlight that pleasure, like shadows, can be deceptive and hard to grasp, mirroring the difficulties people face in finding lasting contentment. Poetic Methods in the Poem Metaphor: o The poem’s central metaphor compares pleasures to shadows: “Pleasures only shadows be / Cast by bodies we conceive.” This metaphor conveys that pleasures are insubstantial and fleeting, dependent on something else for existence, much like shadows rely on physical objects and light. Paradox: o The poet uses paradox to deepen the theme of pleasure’s fleeting nature: “Pleasures are not, if they last; / In their passing is their best.” This contradicts the usual idea that lasting pleasure is good, suggesting instead that pleasure’s value lies in its briefness. Rhetorical Questions: o The poem opens with questions: “Are they shadows that we see? / And can shadows pleasure give?” These invite the reader to reflect and question the reality of pleasure, involving them actively in the poem’s philosophical inquiry. Imagery: o Visual imagery is strong throughout, especially relating to light and sight: “Glory is most bright and gay / In a flash, and so away.” The imagery of light (“bright,” “flash”) emphasizes the momentary brilliance of pleasure. Personification: o The poet personifies eyes as “greedy”: “Feed apace then, greedy eyes,” This gives the eyes human-like desire, emphasizing the human impulse to devour fleeting pleasures quickly. Imperative Mood: o The poem includes commands like: “Feed apace then, greedy eyes, / On the wonder you behold;” These imperatives create a tone of urgency, encouraging the reader to seize pleasure before it disappears. Rhyme and Rhythm: o The poem uses rhymed couplets (AA BB CC…), which create a steady, flowing rhythm. This regularity contrasts with the theme of fleeting pleasure, perhaps suggesting the inevitability of pleasure’s passing within the steady flow of time. structure of poem and how it affects the portrayal of pleasure ChatGPT said: Absolutely! Here’s a detailed look at the structure of the poem and how it influences the portrayal of pleasure: Structure of the Poem and Its Effect on the Portrayal of Pleasure 1. Regular Rhyme Scheme and Couplet Form: The poem is written in rhymed couplets (pairs of lines that rhyme, e.g., see/give, fast/express). This consistent rhyme scheme creates a rhythmic, flowing movement, which mirrors the natural rise and fall of pleasure itself—brief moments of joy followed by inevitable decline. The orderly structure contrasts with the fleeting content, highlighting how pleasure is a temporary but recurring experience within life’s steady progression. 2. Progressive Development of Ideas: The poem moves logically from questioning the reality of pleasures (“Are they shadows that we see?”), to explaining their fleeting nature (“Pleasures only shadows be”), and finally to accepting and embracing their temporariness (“Feed apace then, greedy eyes…”). This progression mirrors a journey of understanding, guiding the reader through doubt, reflection, and resolution about the nature of pleasure. 3. Use of Short Stanzas or Couplets: The relatively short, concise couplets emphasize the brevity and sharpness of pleasurable moments. Each couplet feels like a small, complete unit, much like a moment of pleasure itself—brief but fully realized before the next moment arrives. 4. Pacing and Flow: The steady rhythm created by the rhyme and meter controls the pace at which the poem unfolds. This pacing reinforces the theme of ephemerality, as the poem moves swiftly through its ideas, much like pleasure appears and disappears quickly. 5. Closing Lines Provide Resolution: The poem ends with a shift toward thought and memory: “When your eyes have done their part, / Thought must length it in the heart.” The structure leads to this final reflection, offering a resolution that while pleasure itself is fleeting, its impact can be extended through memory and emotional reflection. This structural ending gives the poem a sense of hope and depth beyond mere transience. Effect on Portrayal of Pleasure: The regular, structured rhyme and rhythm juxtaposed with the theme of fleeting pleasures highlights the tension between order and impermanence. The progression of ideas helps the reader move from skepticism to acceptance, deepening their understanding of pleasure. The short, self-contained couplets reflect the nature of pleasure as brief, momentary bursts of experience. The final couplet’s reflective tone encourages the reader to think beyond the immediate sensation to the lasting value of memory and thought.
