These thought-provoking verses delve into profound questions about life, existence, and the human condition. They explore philosophical concepts, from the nature of reality and the meaning of existence to the complexities of ethics and morality.
Poets use powerful imagery and metaphor to engage readers in philosophical contemplation, challenging conventional beliefs and expanding perspectives.
These poems often serve as mirrors, reflecting on the complexities of human experience and the search for truth and purpose, inviting readers on a journey of self-discovery and intellectual reflection.
‘The River’ by Sara Teasdale narrates the poignant merging of the river in the sea from the personified river’s perspective.
This poem seems to delve into various philosophical issues concerning existence. The river's inevitable and painful transformation might suggest transformation, change, and loss as inevitable parts of existence, so much so that even nature's elements have to go through it. Alternatively, the river's journey could mirror the human experience of loss of innocence wherein hope and expectations get crushed by life's harsh realities; nonetheless, meanwhile, one keeps growing and learning while going through the inevitable experience of disillusionment, loss, and sorrow that shape and build one's existence as if transformation and pain are essential to self-discovery and meaning.
Published in 1849, ‘A Dream Within a Dream’ by Edgar Allan Poe examines the subtleties of time and perspective.
There is a certain philosophical argument that one can interpret from the lines of the poem. He suggests that the world and everything in it doesn't exist (at least metaphorically if not literally). This alludes to an idea first asserted by Plato.
‘Burnt Norton’ explores the philosophical concepts of time, spirituality, and transcendence, focusing on the human quest for higher meaning.
'Burnt Norton' is a philosophical contemplation on time, memory, human consciousness, spiritual fulfillment, and transcendence. While presenting its philosophy of cyclic time, the poem refers to the philosophical ideas of Hegel, Buddhism, and Christianity. With depth and complexity, it explores the possibility and significance of higher spiritual truth amidst temporal limitations and the uncertain, decayed modern world.
Shelley’s ‘Hymn to Intellectual Beauty’ is a meditation on the spirit of beauty that bestows spiritual awakening, meaning, and transcendental truth.
This poem engages with the ages-old philosophical concept of abstract beauty explored from various perspectives by many scholars, including ancient Greek thinkers. Shelley, too, had read Plato's idea of beauty before writing the poem; however, unlike Plato's, Shelley's beauty is entirely revealed in its true form on earth amid nature, offering transcendental knowledge and spiritual contentment. Shelley's philosophy, rejecting religion, resonates with his personal beliefs, while the connection with nature, subjective views, intense emotions, and imagination echo romantic philosophy.
‘Law Like Love’ looks at the concept of the law in an abstract way and asks if it can be seen objectively and what different subjective views of it mean. It then compares this with a very different concept – that of love.
At the heart of this poem is a philosophical musing by the author. It references ideas that were popular at the time among students of philosophy and provides an insight into the way people thought at the time in a changing world. Auden had been becoming more interested in philosophy, and his poetry reflected this.
‘Poetry’ by Pablo Neruda captures the moment of the speaker’s first encounter with poetic inspiration that led to a spiritual awakening.
This poem delves into several philosophical questions, including the existential meaning and the purpose of life, one's innate connection with the universe and nature, the nature of poetic inspiration and creativity, and the relationship between poetry and the higher unknown forces of the universe and nature. It presents the poetic inspiration as an intuitive (against rational), almost divine force that finds the speaker, who then becomes a poet. Further, as found in Romanticism, the speaker attains a philosophical understanding of the cosmos through nature and poetry while recognizing the self, its meaning, and connectedness with the larger cosmos.
‘Silence’ by Thomas Hood describes the ways in which Silence exists in the world and the places that one can find it.
'Silence' delves into philosophical territory by examining the nature and essence of silence. Hood's contemplative approach, particularly in the sestet, invites deep reflection. While this philosophical bent adds depth, it may challenge readers expecting a more straightforward or emotional exploration of the theme.
Stevenson’s ‘The Spirit is too Blunt an Instrument’ marvels at the precise design of a baby’s body, exploring the mind and body dualism.
The concept of dualism in philosophy, particularly the separation of mind and body, is longstanding and has been explored for centuries. This poem also explores this classic duality by distinguishing between the physical mechanized construction of the body and mind and its emotions. It philosophically seems to harmonize the two, suggesting that while emotions or the mind cannot create the accurate, intricate, and precise design of the human body, without them, the body is merely a machine; it achieves its humanness when the 'vagaries of the mind' 'invent' emotions giving it subjective feelings.
‘Sonnet 55’ ‘Not marble nor the gilded monuments’ delves into poetry’s immortality and seeks to immortalize the addressee’s memories.
This poem delves into the human desire for immortality in the face of inevitable mortality, showing humans' vain efforts to immortalize themselves in one way or another. It emphasizes the shallowness of the expensive grand symbols of pride, affluence, and permanence, like monuments and fine statues, by juxtaposing them with humble poetry, the only symbol that can indeed transcend and defeat the destructible force of time. Thus, the sonnet delves into the centuries-old claim of art's power and immortality in the face of transient life, which serves as an answer to existential questions.
‘A Way of Looking’ by Elizabeth Jennings explores the peculiar but often unnoticed ways our perception is guided by more than what is objectively observed.
There is also a philosophical bent to Jennings' poem. One that is rooted in its attempt to understand the various pieces of human perception and its mercurial ways. This is representative of many of her poems which often ruminate on major themes like death and religion. This poem hones in on the wonder and paradox of our subjective points of view.
It is the association after all
We seek, we would retrace our thoughts to find
The thought of which this landscape is the image,
Then pay the thought and not the landscape homage.
‘Another Time’, by W. H. Auden is a meditation on how people should live their lives and what mistakes people often make in basing their lives on allegiances to others. It calls for people to live in a different way.
As with much of Auden's poetry from this period the narrator is wrestling with abstract, philosophical concepts and then reaching their own conclusions. Auden was becoming more interested in philosophical ideas and this poem is a reflection on that as well as his growing political beliefs.
‘Whispers of Immortality’ contemplates yearning for immortality and the power of art amidst the permanence of death.
The thematic concerns of 'Whispers of Immortality explore the philosophical problems of human existence and life while dealing with mortality and immortality. Through rich poetic language, the poem explores the transience of human life while alluding to philosophic transcendence for immortality. Posing existential problems, the poem stirs intelligent thoughts making the readers explore higher meaning and truth.
David Constantine’s ‘Watching for Dolphins’ presents urbanites seeking spirituality in nature, symbolized by their quest to spot dolphins.
The poem engages with philosophical issues such as the absence of spirituality in modern life, transcendence, and the intrinsic connection between humans, nature, and the universe. It explores existential questions about the meaning of existence and the significance of transcendental experiences. The passengers' quest for Dolphins symbolizes a search for spiritual meaning and communal purpose while presenting a spiritually desolate human condition, prompting deeper philosophical dimensions of modern existence.
‘Mr Bleaney’ by Philip Larkin, written in 1955, relays the journey of a speaker as they settle into their new home and new life.
In this poem, Larkin struggles with what defines an individual and the meaning of their life, acknowledging that they can only be defined by their actions, yet remains apathetic to change.
‘An Essay on Criticism’ begins with an analysis of critics themselves, who Pope views as akin to unlearned parasites.
The poem possesses a strong philosophical core, reflecting Enlightenment ideals. Pope grounds his critical principles in concepts of universal Reason, Nature, and objective truth. His arguments for balance, order, and "good sense" in both writing and criticism stem directly from these philosophical convictions. The poem is not just about literature; it's about applying rational thought and moral clarity to human endeavor, characteristic of 18th-century intellectual currents.
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