“The Minstrel Boy” is one of the most popular melodies in Moore’s collection. It tells the story of the death of a young and brave Irish bard warrior adapted from The Moreen, an old Irish air
Central Idea
This poem is written by Thomas Moore (1779-1852) an Irish poet. He was born in Dublin where he studied at the best school. He was admitted to Trinity College at the age of 15 years. He became an enthusiastic Irish Poet. In imitation of Lord Byron, who was his friend, he wrote a poem on an oriental theme called “Lalla Rookh”. His patriotic feelings are well expressed in this poem.
Theme
“Patriotism is not a short outburst of emotions but the tranquil and steady dedication of lifetime.”
OR
“Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul into great things.”‘
Summary
The poem “The Minstrel Boy” was written by the famous Irish poet Thomas Moore. In this poem, he shared his patriotic feelings. The poem is in the praise of the boy of the Minstrel. He was a wonderful singer who used to sing songs in peacetime at the time of his harp. But when the time of war had come to his country, he joined the army of flight to his country. He was actually continuing the tradition of his forefathers, i.e. fighting for their country.
He fought bravely, with his sword, and gave his life to defend his motherland. When he was near death, he ripped off all his possessions because he wanted the enemy to know that people like him would never allow him to touch their beloved homeland.
In the end, the poet has shown his patriotic feelings in a compelling way. He says that the enemy could physically defeat the boy, but they couldn’t conquer his spirits. The Minstrel boy’s harp had been broken by the Minstrel boy himself because it was intended to sing in harmony, not in slavery. The extreme limit of patriotism is shown by their behaviour.
Analysis
These huge leaps allow the singer to root the phrase in a richer register of voices, and to infuse the performance with more dramatic emotions. Britten is also using complexities to enhance the emotional impact of the text. While the first verse is marked with a declamatory fort, the second verse retreats to a mourning piano. The postlude finishes at the pianissimo, with no hint of the bravado left by The Minstrel Boy. The loss of the title character at the end of the piece is a tragic reminder of the cost of war from the composer who would soon write his famous War Requiem in remembrance of the souls lost in the Second World War.
Question and Answers
Q.1 What do you know about Thomas Moore?
Ans. Thomas Moore was an enthusiastic Irish poet. In the imitation of his friend Lord Byron, he wrote a poem on an oriental theme called “Lalla Rookh”. He has expressed his patriotic feelings in this poem.
Q.2 What does Thomas Moore mean when he says as “thought all the world betray thee”?
Ans. Thomas Moore has tried to convey a message by these words to his nation that if you’ve got three things, no matter the whole world turns against you, you are not too afraid of it. Loyal and faithful companions, a beloved motherland and power to protect the privilege.
Q.3 Why did he destroy his harp?
Ans. Before the minstrel boy was dead he destroyed his harp because he wanted the enemy to realize that every single child of his nation would not allow them to touch their homeland with impure hands. Moreover, his harp was meant to play in peace and if the harp had survived it would have chained into the atmosphere of slavery. The extreme limit of patriotism is exhibited by the action of minstrel boy.
Q.4 For whom the poet was the words warrior bard and proud soul?
Ans. Thomas Moore has paid a homage to the minstrel boy by alloting him the bites of “warrior bard” and the “proud soul”. Thomas Moore has used these words to exhibit the spirit of chamisism in the minstrel boy. He was a great and brave fighter and was proud of fighting for his homeland.
Q.5 For whom were the songs of harp made?
Ans. The songs sung on the tune of the harp were the marks of peace and carried out detention against slavery. these songs were made to please the patriots of minstrel boy’s nation. Only faithfully and Loyal companions and the men who were got freedom of their homeland could hear these songs.
