Felix Randal
Poetry
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Gerard Manley Hopkins
Felix Randal Full Poem
Felix Randal
By Gerard Manley Hopkins
Felix Randal the farrier, O is he dead then? my duty all ended,
Who have watched his mould of man, big-boned and hardy-handsome
Pining, pining, till time when reason rambled in it, and some
Fatal four disorders, fleshed there, all contended?
Sickness broke him. Impatient, he cursed at first, but mended
Being anointed and all; though a heavenlier...
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Felix Randal Main Text
Felix Randal
By Gerard Manley Hopkins
Felix Randal the farrier, O is he dead then? my duty all ended,
Who have watched his mould of man, big-boned and hardy-handsome
Pining, pining, till time when reason rambled in it, and some
Fatal four disorders, fleshed there, all contended?
Sickness broke him. Impatient, he cursed at first, but mended
Being anointed and all; though a heavenlier heart began so...
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Felix Randal Key Info
Key Facts
Author: Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)
Title of the Author: English poet and Jesuit priest.
Full Title: Felix Randal
Total Lines: 14 lines
Stanzas: 1 stanza (a single block of 14 lines)
Genre: Poetry (Religious/Reflective Elegy)
Published Date: 1918 (posthumously)
Written Date: 1880
Form: Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet
Meter: Sprung rhythm (a Hopkins innovation)
Rh...
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Felix Randal Summary
Summary
Octave: The Picture of Illness and Suffering: In this part, the poet describes the illness and physical weakness of Felix Randal. Felix was a skilled and strong blacksmith. Everyone respected and loved him for his work. His hands once held extraordinary strength and skill. But suddenly, his body became weak. Due to illness, he became bedridden and gradually lost the ability to work. The p...
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Felix Randal Character
The Speaker: The speaker is Gerard Manley Hopkins himself, a priest and poet. He watches over Felix Randal during his illness and reflects on his suffering and spiritual journey.
Felix Randal: Felix Randal is a strong, hardworking blacksmith who becomes seriously ill. His physical strength fades as illness takes over, but spiritually, he finds peace through faith. He represents human weakness, en...
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Felix Randal Quotations
“Felix Randal the farrier, O is he dead then? my duty all ended…”
Explanation: The poet expresses his sorrow at Felix Randal's death. As a priest, his duty was to care for him. Now that Felix is gone, the poet feels a deep emotional loss, not just the end of a duty.
“This seeing the sick endears them to us, us too it endears.”
Explanation: The poet says that caring for the sick makes us emotionall...
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Felix Randal Themes
Human Strength vs. Physical Decline: Felix was once strong and powerful as a blacksmith. But illness made him weak and helpless. This theme shows that no matter how strong we are, we all become weak one day. Human strength does not last forever.
Role of Faith and Spiritual Peace: At the end of his life, Felix accepted religion and found peace in God. The poet, as a priest, gave him comfort. This t...
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Notes
Explore 3 detailed notes related to Felix Randal. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.