Summary
Summary Stephen Spender - "Seascape" - Analysis
This is a summary and analysis of the poem "Seascape" by Stephen Spender.
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Seascape In Memoriam, M.A.S. is a poem by Stephen Spender.Spender uses a number of literary devices to convey the various
characteristic aspects of the sea. The poet emphasises the power of
the sea over humanity; the deceptive nature which it displays to
humanity - hiding potential violence and brutality.
This poem is about the "ritual sacrifice" of death as part of the natural
order of living, particularly as seen against the backdrop of the ocean,
which although beautiful on the surface, camouflages dangerous
forces which have cost humans their lives for centuries.
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STANZA 1
The poet describes the sea as an unfingered harp. The ocean
appears to be calm and serene. The fact that the poet refers to the
sea as being an “unfingered harp” is an indication of its potential for
power that requires only a small amount of force to be applied to its
waters to cause a change in weather.
Sensory and visual imagery is used when the poet speaks about the
afternoon sun “gilding” - covering the silent wires of the harp thinly in
the golden light. A light which causes “a burning music for the eyes.”
This contradicting remark demonstrates a confusion of senses and
hence implies the misleading behaviour of the sea. The fact that the
music is painful for the eyes is a suggestion of the violence that is
associated with the activities of the sea and the losses that had been
experienced, causing pain for the eyes.
Spender describes the waters of the sea as being “mirrors flashing
between fine-strung fires” (the strings of the harp being on fire - the
light of the afternoon sun). The metaphor of the sea being a mirror
, suggests its pretentiousness and the way in which it appears to be
something it’s not, by seeming harmless.
Spender presents a contrast between the tame earth and the
self-willed waves of the sea. He describes the land as if a celebration
is taking place - “the shore heaped up with roses, horses, spires.” By
listing man-made objects (horses which have been trained, roses
which have been grown and spires which have been built - all by
humans) Spender successfully creates this contrast.
The poet describes the sea as being “below the land” which is a
metaphor referring to a grave. Similarly, “ribbed sand” is suggestive of
human skeletons. These quotations suggest that the sea is dangerous
and the evidence lies just beneath us - however, we remain oblivious
and wander on water and ‘ribbed sand’, fooled by the deceptive nature
of the sea.
Through the extended metaphor of the sea as a ‘harp’, the poet
suggests the sea’s need for external application of force in order for
any activity to take place.
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STANZA 2
The deception of the people in regards to the real danger associated
with the sea is brought up in this poem prevalently. The poet states
that the sea’s gentle behaviour in the gentle weather is merely
superficial - ‘a sigh like a woman’s’ proposes that like a woman who
sighs in order to obtain something by garnering sympathy.
Even the smallest of things can cause huge ripples and destroy
everything in its path. It can cause disaster which will cause the
seagulls to cry, bells to ring and people to shout. The waters of the
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