On The Death Of Robert Levet Poem Analysis

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Recommended: Theme of death in poetry

This essay will analyse two elegies, “On the Death of Dr Robert Levet” by Samuel Johnson (1782) written when Johnson was 72 years old in remembrance and honour of his friend Robert Levet who has died . The second poem is “An Elegy for W.C.W, The Lovely Man” by John Berryman where he is expressing his feelings towards his friend . The term elegy is originated from the Greek word “elegiac” which is used to describe the metre of an elegy. This close analysis will examine how these two poems conform to the conventions of the form of the elegy through the themes, language and form, and also analyse to the poems to see if there are any ways in which either poem deviates from the conventions of the elegy.
In the beginning of “On the Death of Dr Robert Levet” it can be argued that Johnson is making more of a statement than just admiration for his friend, but also making a statement about humanity. “As on we toil from day to day, By sudden blows of slow decline, Our social comforts drop away”, it could be argued that this first stanza is conveying how humans take life very seriously and it is very important to us but he argues that one day there will be no life anymore and we will all die like his friend who did so much for this world, therefore, creating a forlorn tone to the poem.
Furthermore, Johnson seems to beautify Levet, “Officious, innocent, sincere, Of ev’ry friendless name the friend” through the use of this simple language and triples Johnson conveys how selfless Levet was as he cared for people and was a friend to everyone. Johnson respects his friend a lot for everything he has done and is praising him for it. Also this illustrates a sort of envy that he has towards his friend as he was very kind and did so much unlike Joh...

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...reflected in the rhythm and the meter. As Berryman may not be able to think properly as he is grieving for his friend so all his emotions are flooding out at once and all these different emotions affect the way he is feeling in he current moment so there is no sense of rhythm and so deviating from the normal form.
In conclusion through the close analysis of both elegies it can be argues that emotion is a big part of the conventions of an elegy as in both poems Johnson and Berryman express both love and envy towards their friend that has died and they want to be in the position that their friend is in, in turn there seems to be a social message. Through the grieving, love and admiration shown in the elegies both the poems conform to the conventions of the elegies as they are in remembrance of someone that was close to them and had a significant impact on their life.

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