Contemplations by Anne Bradstreet?

Question

http://www.web-books.com/classics/Poetry/Anthology/Bradstreet/Contemplations.htm
-this is a link to the poem...I was hoping someone could go through the poem by sections and help me understand what the lines mean...I am just really confused

Answer 1

Phoebus is I think the name of a God. I dont really get it either.
How about these sites?

http://www.enotes.com/literary-criticism/bradstreet-anne/helen-saltman-essay-date-1983

The poem supports the idea of rebirth and salvation. it is thus critically acclaimed.


The first stanza describes the ambience. It is autumn and phoebus is wearing a crown of golden trees and flowers on his head. It seems as though he is going to sleep. The poets eyes were very attentive at this particular yummy sight.

Second paragraph, the poet thinks that he is sure that if such greatness or excellence lives down below, then surely greater things will be up(in heaven with God; Phoebus was an ancient God living on Earth) . he says that he was so great and excellent that the place he ruled was like a paradise or heaven on the earth, where there was no winter and the sun never set; sadness never came.

paragrapg 3: the poet looks at an Oak tree and wonders how long the tree has been here.It seems so ancient that it seems to have been there for eternity. I dont get this para a lot but I am sure this is it.

Para 4: Then the poet looked at the bright, shining sun whose rays were being blocked by the tree so there was shade beneath. he thinks that it is such a nice thing; like, to block the sunlight; prevent a force of nature. he then thinks that it is no wonder some people worship it and offer things to it.

Wo! there are so many paras! But still, in all of them he is admiring the things he sees and all that, the throne and the cat and what else? It certainly has biblical refwerence.

in the last para he critcizes time because when time gets over things and life even come to and. It is time that decides whether a thing is mortal and for hjow long. names fade away, parts, gold and belongings get buried. BUT< the persons whose name is engraved on a grave or white stone, his name will live for evermore.

All the best!

Answer 2

By Phoebus, it is speaking of the mythological Greek Sun God Pheobus Apollo. And therefore she is talking about a sunset in the first paragraph.

She is talking about the greatness of God and his many creations on earth. It's quite a lovely poem.