Write the summary and explanation of the poem entitled "Prospice".

Write the summary and explanation of the poem entitled “Prospice”.

Ans.

Summary of the Poem

Shall I he afraid of death, the speaker (no doubt, the poet himself) asks himself. No, it is like being afraid of the fog and mist in bad weather when you are climbing a hill. But you should realize that you are nearing the summit. by the drift of the snowfall and the blasts of chill winds. The dark night and the pressing storm seem to forewarn you that the real enemy (Death) is very soon to stand before you in a visible form. yet you have to go forward on your way without shrinking from him in fear.

Now, when you are going to reach the summit at the end of your hard journey, what have you to fear? You are like the fighters in the arena in old times, and the barriers have been lowered for you to enter the arena where your rival will face you in duel. Before gain the final reward of your struggles in life, you will have to fight one more battle, which will be the last and toughest of all battles-the battle with Death. But what do I care, the poet tells himself. I have always been a fighter, so I accept this challenge. I refuse to be blinded by death, I will not obey its dictates to cringe before it slavishly. I would meet death like the old heroes who greeted it with smiles and embraced all the terrible sufferings without flinching. My life has been spent mostly in happiness; I am ready to undergo the pain and agony which I ought to have suffered in the earlier part of my life.

After passing through the agonies of death, I know, the worst would turn into the best for me, for i am a brave man. The terrible moment will be over soon, though in that short moment of death I would experience the impact of the terrible voices coming from the Devil himself. But slowly the raging voices will subside, and they will soon mingle with the unspeakable joy and peace that would follow. At last there will be a flash of the heavenly light and then i shall see your benevolent bosom, O my dearest, I know for certain that we (my wife and I) shall meet again in heaven, and I leave the rest to the will of God. Let him decide what is in my best interest.

EXPLANATIONS

1. Fear death? to feel the fog in my throat,

The mist in my face,

When the snows begin, and the blasts denote

I am nearing the place,

The power of the night, the press of the storm,

The post of the foe;

Where he stands, the Arch Fear in a visible form,

Yet the strong man must go;

For the journey is done and the summit attained,

And the barriers fall,

Though a battle’s to fight ere the guerdon be gained,

The reward of it all.

Explanation with Reference to the Context- This stanza has been taken from the poem “Prospice’ composed by Robert Browning. The poet idealizes death, its process, and its consequences. He wants to convey that everyone is to die definitely, it is not a subject of fear because it completes the journey of the life.

Browning in a philosophic way, summons that we should not be afraid of death. Undoubtedly, there are some moments of great suffering at the of death time. There is tight breathing and a darkness before the eyes and the body of the dying man begins to grow cold. The tight breathing with a sound denotes that we are going near Death. Activities like the darkness before eyes and tight breathing brings us towards the place of Death the enemy. After some moments of this journey we reach the land of Death, the enemy, viz., Death is waiting for us in fearful form. The poet again nourishes the previous notion that everyone is to die; therefore, there is no benefit to try for an escape. This is the ultimate result of all activities of life. Death is the highest peak of mountain on which we have been making our journey to reach. Last of all, when we face the fearful death, there is a barrier that no two lives may walk together. Everyone after death is made separate so that they may reach God their own way. Death provides. Heavenly place in the body of the God-the reward of all activities.

Notes- (1) Browning teaches mankind not to afraid of death because it provides the result of humanly activities during life.

(ii) Death is suffering because we are fearful of it.

(iii) Death is the final stage of the journey of life.

2. I was ever a fighter, so one fight more,

The best and the last!

I would hate that death bandaged my eyes, and forebore,

And bade me creep past.

Not let me taste the whole of it, fare like my peers,

The heroes of old,

Bear the brunt, in a minute pay glade life’s arrears

Of pain, darkness and cold.

Explanation with Reference to the Context- These lines emerge in the poem Prospice’ composed by Browning. The poet summons the human beings to face the death bravely for the reason that it is certain and the last battle; it also provides the during person Heavenly place in the body of God.

The poet is brave enough to say that he faced his life bravely. Life in itself is a big battle. Death is the last battle because after it the soul of the human being is to take rest in Heaven. He again encourages mankind saying that he will not life the death of a coward whose eyes are covered and he faces death with fear and confusion. He will bear the pains c death bravely. He will taste the death. He will pay the debts of pain and suffering honestly at the moment of death because it may be unpaid debt of life. He will pay it this moment so that he may enjoy complete bliss in the body of God. He will bear these pains bravely no matter they are extremely troublesome like the burns in the body. He is ready to forbear the pain of death like darkness before eyes and cooling of body etc.

Notes- (i) Browning believes that sufferings are the integral part of life.

(ii) Death is not a subject of lamentation.

(iii) Death opens the gate of pleasures after a life of suffering.

3. But sudden the worst turns the best to the brave,

The black minute’s at end,

And the elements rage, the fiend-voices that rave,

Shall dwindle, shall blend.

Shall change, shall become first a peace out of pain,

Then a light, then thy breast,

O thou soul of my soul! I shall clasp thee again,

And with God be the rest.

Explanation with Reference to the Context- These lines exist in the poem Prospice composed by Robert Browning. The poet narrates that bravery and courage are superior to the pangs of death. Every kind of pain and suffering is vincible through bravery. We should not be afraid of death ached we should face it bravely.

Browning narrates the value of being brave as even the worst things turn into the best one through it. Horrors of death turn into ordinary situation and the furious voice of the demon of death becomes full of peace through one’s bravely, bravery vanishes the pangs of death, and the anger of death too seems momentary.

Shouting of the demon of death turns into peace. Gradually it changes. and creates peace. After it we shall see a ray of light from Heaven. The poet seems to address his beloved in a dramatic way telling that he shall watch her there in the Heaven. He shall grasp her there because she has been dear to him like his own soul. There the poet and his beloved will enjoy pleasures of dwelling in the body of the God.

Notes- (i) This poem is a fine dramatic monologue.

(ii) It seems that the poet’s beloved grieved on separation from her lover and the poet seems to solace her. The poems is a preaching on the subject of death, life and Heaven.