Introduction – John Dryden wrote ‘A Song for St. Cecilia’s Day, 1687’ was written on 22 November 1687. This poem is written in the form of a song. Dryden has shown power and effect of music especially of St. Cecilia.
Central Idea- Poem centralizes on the idea of music as a creational force which has created this world. Afterwards it explains how different type of musical instruments evoke distinct emotions. For instance Trumpet and Drum excite for war, Flute and lute evoke sadness and Violin generates feelings like jealousy, fury for some ‘disdainful dame’. Poet states that the most effective music is considered of Cecilia’s came out of her musical instrument ‘Organ’ which befooled even an angel in terms of considering ‘Earth for Heaven’.
Themes
Power of Music – Poem shows power of music both in affecting the nature and human emotions. Poet in the starting of the poem creates a beautiful image of creation of the world through musical mediation. Later on various musical instruments are explained with their effect on human beings. Dryden shows best instance of musical power in the form of ‘Orpheus’ who could control ‘savage’ people through his lyre’s music and ‘trees unrooted left their place’ following Orpheus’s lyre. Similarly Cecilia’s ‘Organ’ instrument bamboozled an angel who mistook ‘Earth for Heaven’.
Figure of Speech
- Alliteration – ‘heave her head’, ‘heavenly harmony’ and ‘disdainful dame’ have repetition of consonant/h/ and /d/.
- Consonance – ‘heavenly harmony’ and ‘disdainful dame’ have repetition of consonants /h/ and /d/ respectively which have change of vowels immediately.
- Personification – “The tuneful voice was heard from high, Arise ye more than dead” has personified music which is giving command to various elements of nature.
- Metaphor – ‘Notes that wing their Heav’nly ways To mend the choirs above’ has metaphor as musical notes are presented as a flying creature.
- Hyperbole – But oh! what art can teach What human voice can reach/The sacred organ’s praise?
These lines have exaggerated praise of musical instrument organ. Similarly ‘trees unrooted left their place’ has hyperbole as Orpheus’s musical effect is clearly exaggerated.
- Repetition – The repetition of word ‘double’ in line ‘The double double double beat’ is used for musical effect while ‘Charge, charge, ’tis too late to retreat’ has repetition of word ‘charge’ to give emphasis on action of charging.
- Polysyndeton – Polysyndeton is the repetition of conjunctions like And, but, if, etc. in close succession. In line ‘Then cold, and hot, and moist, and dry’ there is repetition of conjunction ‘And’.
- Paradox – The Last line of the Grand Chorus ‘”And music shall untune the sky” has paradox. This is a self contradictory statement. Music should supposed to fill sky with tunes but it is untuning it.
Imagery – Poem has figurative language. It has various images which are suggestive and apt. Images like atoms ‘could not have head’ like a human is buried under something is appropriate for subdued nature. Similarly image of tree ‘unrooted’ are following music of Orpheus gives us visual treat.
Hellenistic Effect – Poem has elements from Greek mythology such as Orpheus who was a musician. He was expert in playing lyre musical instrument.
Biblical Nature – This poem is based on various elements of bible such as musicians like Jubal, St. Cecilia and story of Judgement day. Hence biblical effect is quite evident in the poem.
Structure and Rhyme scheme – Poem has various meters like iambic pentameter, tetrameter etc. and there are seven stanzas and a concluding chorus but there is no fixed stanza formation neither fixed rhyming pattern.
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