A Comparison the Robert Frost’s ‘Acquainted with the Night’ and Gerard Manley Hopkins’ ‘God's Grandeur’
Poetry is one of the most beautiful art forms. It can not be good or bad. Any poetic work is the energetic message of its author; it inspires the reader with the main idea, and gives the energetic charge. Also, such a force can both build and destroy, because the essential aspect is the inner world of the author.
Poetry is divided into several types. This essay reveals the definition of a sonnet, and compares the great poetic works of Robert Frost called ‘Acquainted with the Night’ and Gerard Manley Hopkins called ‘God's Grandeur’.
The sonnet is a common traditional form of poetry, which gains popularity among the poets of all time. Although sonnet can use different themes, the theme of love is best known for such genre. The word sonnet comes from the Italian ‘sonetto’ meaning little sound or song. Typically, sonnet consists of 14 lines. The main style of writing is iambic pentameter. The sonnets have several varieties, which correspond to a specific rhyme scheme and strictly adhere to the thematic structure.
The sonnet divided into different shapes, such as Spenserian, Curtal, Terza Rima, Miltonic sonnets. But the most studied are two main branches of the sonnet: the Petrarchan sonnet (Italian) and the Shakespearean sonnet (English).
The sonnet is perfectly adapted to the needs and goals, so it has become so popular in the world of poetry. Moreover, because of its short length, the sonnet has privileges both in the writers and poetry lovers. Strict adherence to the ideal rhythm creates a poetic style, which makes the writer's emotional study easier. (J. Sites, Melissa)
The 'God's Grandeur' by Gerard Manley Hopkins is filled with a variety of images and comparisons. The sprung rhythm fills the poem with hope: in spite of the destructive action of man, God insists on his upbringing and maintenance. The beautiful and strong nature resists with human depravity.
At the beginning of the poem, God charges the world with his greatness. Such a charge is compared with the brightness or an electric current, which person is able to see.
The poet tries to express his doubts about the human response to the surrounding magnificence. Instead of accepting the divine rule, people pollute the world and use it exclusively for human purposes. The poem also represents the idea that people are more concerned with material than with spiritual goods. Society looks isolated and unable to perceive all the grandeur and beauty of the world.
However, the second part of the poem dissipates the early formed darkness. The beauty and power of the world has the ability to regenerate constantly due to the presence of God who protects the world from destruction and misery.
The Hopkins’ poem is an Italian sonnet. This creation is a good example to show how the sonnet composed and how it can disclose its basic idea. This sonnet consists of 14 lines, which in turn are divided into octave and sestet.
The role of the octave in the poem of Hopkins is to introduce a specific alarming situations or problems. The writer for the first time represents a problem at the end of the first quatrain. The tone of the poem has changed with the introduction of the sextet. The poem finds a solution and reveals the confidence and optimism. (Miller, Nelson)
The ‘Acquainted with the Night’ of Robert Frost is a sonnet that written in terza rima. The rhyme scheme of this work defines a constant development. The sonnet reveals the relationship of the writer with the society and especially with himself. The poem describes the itinerary of Robert to the distance of dark night.
The first and last lines of the poem confirm Frost's familiarity with the night, and another part determines the nature of the relationship. This itinerary in the night means the pursuit of self-knowledge. Moreover, the poet seeks to privacy with his own thoughts, as in the second part he tries to go beyond the city and lose all contact with society.
This poem is also an example of the genre's sonnets. It traditionally consists of 14 lines and it is written in iambic pentameter. The author uses images and symbols that help to create a mood of loneliness and solitude.
These symbols are the rain, night and lonely city alleys. Frost also recalls about the unfinished night journeys, which identifies own internal condition of the poet. The composition conveys a grim and depressed mood. (Lentricchia, Frank)
Exploring the poems, I was able to determine what criteria they apply to the sonnet. Due to the traditional writing, I also was able to figure out the basic idea of the works. The short length and style of writing also help to enrich my understanding of the beautiful poetry. The images and symbols fill the poems by the artistry and diversity. The authors fully convey their emotions, mood and thoughts, which makes the poems more intense and interesting.
In summary, it can be noted that any conversion is not able to destroy the poetry in the world, but it can make some changes and influence on its shape. The role of poetry is always at a high level. It has a strong connection with other types of art, which increases its impact on all human activities.
Emotional poetry element makes it possible to affect many processes that are beyond the science. The poetry brings people together and makes easier their relationship. In this essay I have examined in detail one of the types of poetry sonnet on the example of poems ‘Acquainted with the Night’ and ‘God's Grandeur’. Such works are really worthy of attention of any interested person.
The subtlety and lyricism, which are present here, widely open the main idea. Sonnets are based on feelings, emotions and experiences. The poem of Hopkins opens us all the beauty of the world and teaches us to care of the nature and all the benefits that God gives us.
The poem by Forest has a completely different idea. It reflects the solitude that sometimes needed for many of us. Generally, the sonnet is one of the most common forms used in the art of poetry.
Despite some limitations in the style of writing and the traditional design, the shape of this genre allows to use a wide range of expression. The author easily conveys the feelings and emotions which fill the poem.
I think that the sonnet is the most sincere and open to a person who is committed to the study of poetry. No wonder the sonnet as a traditional form of poetry exists to this day, and people are still interested in exploring many poetic works of this genre.
Works Сited
J. Sites, Melissa, 2016. The Sonnet. Web.
Lentricchia, Frank. On "Acquainted With the Night". Duke University Press, 1975. Web.
Miller, Nelson. Basic Sonnet Forms. Cayuse Press. Web.
