Thyrsis
Poetry
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Alfred Lord Tennyson
Thyrsis Main Text
Thyrsis: A Monody, to Commemorate the Author's Friend, Arthur Hugh Clough
By Matthew Arnold
How changed is here each spot man makes or fills!
In the two Hinkseys nothing keeps the same;
The village street its haunted mansion lacks,
And from the sign is gone Sibylla's name,
And from the roofs the twisted chimney-stacks—
Are ye too changed, ye hills?
See, 'tis no foot of unfamiliar men
To-night from...
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Thyrsis Key Info
Key Facts
Author: Matthew Arnold (1822–1888)
Title of the Author:
Pessimistic poet of the Victorian Age.
The Melancholy Voice of the Victorian Age
Professor of Poetry at Oxford
Full Title: Thyrsis: A Monody, to commemorate the author's friend Arthur Hugh Clough
Total Lines: 240
Stanza: 24 stanzas of irregular lengths
Genre: Pastoral Elegy
Published Date: 1865. It was includ...
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Thyrsis Summary
“Thyrsis” is a poem written by Matthew Arnold in memory of his dear friend Arthur Hugh Clough, who passed away in 1861 at the young age of 42. His death brought deep sorrow to Arnold. The title Thyrsis is taken from a character in an ancient Roman pastoral poem by Virgil, where Thyrsis is portrayed as a shepherd.
Background and Setting of the Poem: After a long time following his friend's death, A...
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Thyrsis Character
The Speaker: The speaker is a young man. He thinks about his dead friend. He talks about memories and nature.
Thyrsis: Thyrsis is the dead friend. His real name is Arthur Hugh Clough. Arnold calls him Thyrsis to show respect.
The Scholar-Gipsy: The Scholar-Gipsy is from another poem. He is a symbol of truth and freedom. He is not a real person here.
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Thyrsis Literary Device
Figures of Speech
Personification: Arnold gives human-like qualities to natural objects to show the poet’s emotional bond with the landscape.
Imagery: Imagery means using vivid and descriptive language that appeals to our senses. Arnold uses strong visual and sound imagery to create a picture of Oxford’s natural beauty.
Metaphor: Arnold uses metaphors to compare emotions and experiences to...
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Thyrsis Quotations
"For Time, not Corydon, hath conquer’d thee."
Explanation: Arnold says that it was not a rival shepherd (Corydon) who defeated Thyrsis (his friend Arthur Hugh Clough), but time itself. This means that the hardships and struggles of life defeated him, not another poet.
"Too rare, too rare, grow now my visits here!"
Explanation: The poet regrets that he no longer visits the countryside (Oxford) as o...
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Thyrsis Themes
Friendship and Loss: The poem is about the poet’s deep love for his friend, Arthur Hugh Clough, who has died. Arnold misses him very much and feels sad and lonely without him. He walks through the Oxford countryside, remembering their times together. The poem shows how losing a close friend can hurt for a long time.
Change and Memory: The poet sees that the countryside has changed. The places they...
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Notes
Explore 4 detailed notes related to Thyrsis. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.