Analysis

Stanza 1:

I think that the main message of the first stanza is that good things never last long. This is because the two corresponding phrases in the stanza are “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may" and "This same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying” I think that the flower symbolizes good things in life. I think that the use of the term “tommorow will be dying” is not being used to show that the flower, or the good thing, will last for only that day. I think that it is supposed to mean that the good thing will not last for long. So, I would interpret these phrases to mean that “You should savor the good things in life because they will disappear soon.” Another unconnected piece of text is “Old Time is still a-flying.” I think that this means that time has always been the same, and that it still goes quickly. So, I would interpret that the entire stanza means “TIme passes quickly, just as it always has. So, make the most of the time and all of your good fortune while you still have it.       

             

Stanza 2:

I think that the main message of the second stanza is that even things that seem as though you will always have them will go away the most quickly. All of the phrases in this stanza are corresponding. The first line is that the sun is the “glorious lamp of heaven.” I think that in this poem, the sun represents good fortune. I beleive that in the three succeeding lines all describe the way that the “good fortune” comes to an end. For example, the phrase “The higher he’s a-getting,” means that the sun, or the good fortune, can rise up to reach its peak. The following line, “The sooner his race be run,” I perceive to mean that after the “good fortune” has reached its peak, it quickly starts to go away. I beleive that the last line, “And nearer he’s to setting,” means that after the sun, or the good fortune, reaches its peak, it will eventually fade away. For example, when the sun sets, it begins to disappear, until it sets all the way. So, when the “good fortune” begins to set, that means that it is beginning to fade away and eventually fade away completely. However, after the sunset, the sun usually comes back up. I think that although it was not included as a line in the poem, this may mean that the “good fortune” will eventually come back.

 

Stanza 3:

I think that the main message of the third stanza is that being young is the best time in your life, and that even when times are worst, you can think about the past. The first line in this stanza is “That age is best which is first.” I think that this line means that the first youthful years of your life will be the best ever. The second line is “When youth and blood are warmer.” I think that this line means, in correspondence to the last line, that the fresher your life and the younger you are, the better. The third and fourth lines are part of the same sentence. Together, I would perceive them to mean that as time passes, your life may get worse and worse in contrast to the former times.

 

Stanza 4:

I think that the main message of this stanza is to not be shy, and make the most of what you have because eventually, you will no longer be at your prime, and you can never go back. The first line is “Then be not coy, but use your time.” I think that this line means that if you are shy, and do not make the most of your time, you will not have lived a full life. This second line is: “And while ye may, go marry.” I think that this line means that you should do what makes you happy while you can, since marriage is usually a happy thing, although your opportunities may be limited. The last two lines make up a sentence, which is “For having lost but once your prime, you may forever tary.” I think that this line means that eventually, you will no longer be at your prime, and you can never go back. I beleive this because the phrase “lost your prime” means that you are no longer as good as you once were and the word “tarry” which means to stay too long in one space, are both used.

 

Figurative Language:

Personification: "And the same flower that smiles today tommorow will be dying." 

This example of figurative language means that things that are beautiful do not last long. I beleive that this is true becuase a smile is something positive and is often beautiful. In this personification, I beleive that the flower "smiling" means that the flower is beautiful. The fact that the flower will be dyng tommorow shows me that the beaiutiful flower will not last long. Although this may not mean that the flower is going to die in one day, it shows that the flower will die. I think that one of the most important parts of interpretting this peice of figurative language is the symbolism between the flower and good things in life. This shows that this example of personification means that good things may not last long. 

Personification: "The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, the higher he's a getting. The sooner will "his race be run an nearer he's to setting."

I think that one of the most important factors in determining the meaning of this example of figurative language is that in this poem, the sun represents good fortune. This is an example of personification becuase it gives human-like qualities (including running a race and getting near to setting). Since this example of personification includes that the sun is a "glorious lamp of heaven," I think that this is being used to show that the sun is encouraging and comforting (like a light) and a symbol of something beautiful (heaven). 

 

Tone:

I think that the tone of this poem is encouraging and bright. I believe that this is true because there are many phrases that provide encouragment for the reader to make the most of his or her time while still incorporating a positive, or "bright" attitude. These phrases include: "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may," "The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, the higher he’s a-getting, the sooner will his race be run, and nearer he’s to setting," "Then be not coy, but use your time" and "That age is best which is the first."

 

Mood:

I think that the mood of this poem is encouraged and positive becuase when I was reading this poem, I felt encouraged to use my time in life better, as well as a new-found positive attitude towards the passing of time. I beleive that this is how the author meant to portray to readers becuase there are many phrases in this poem that show this. This includes: "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may," "The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun, the higher he’s a-getting, the sooner will his race be run, and nearer he’s to setting," "Then be not coy, but use your time" and "That age is best which is the first."